Laborsphere

Florida’s CHOICE Act Takes Permitted Employer Protections to a New Level

Although Florida law has been considered noncompete friendly for some time, the CHOICE Act — which took effect July 3 — takes permitted employer protections to a new level, making lengthy garden leave and noncompete provisions per se permissible for individuals who earn more than a relatively modest threshold and have access to and work with confidential information. Florida employers thus should consider whether to take advantage of the new law with current or future employees and independent contractors to enhance protection of their confidential information and customer relationships.

To view the full alert, visit the Faegre Drinker website.

Humanitarian Parole for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans (CHNV): What’s the State of Play?

The Trump administration terminated a humanitarian parole program for beneficiaries from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela (CHNV). The Department of Homeland Security is now proceeding with terminating all parole granted under the CHNV program and revoking related employment authorization documents (EADs) regardless of the existing parole and EAD expiration date. A new “Status Change Report” was launched for E-Verify-enrolled employers that allows them to identify CHNV EADs that have been revoked. However, there is no clear guidance for employers who may have employees who presented and continue to have unexpired EADs issued under this program.

To view the full alert, visit the Faegre Drinker website.

Temporary Protected Status (TPS): What’s the State of Play?

Out of 17 countries under active TPS designations at the beginning of 2025, seven, including most recently Honduras and Nicaragua, have now seen protected status terminated. The termination of a country’s TPS designation ends the protection from removal and ability to extend work authorization of beneficiaries from that country. While the fate of the other countries that are still under active TPS designation remains uncertain, employers should be prepared for similar terminations based on the Trump administration’s actions thus far. Employers need to know their workforce, screen their employees for other benefits, and consider moving them to a true nonimmigrant status, where possible.

To view the full alert, visit the Faegre Drinker website.

UK’s 1 July 2025 Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules

On 1 July 2025, the Home Office published the latest Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules. This update delivers two major policy reforms: significant changes to the Skilled Worker route and the immediate closure of the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy to new principal applicants. We summarise the key developments.

To view the full alert, visit the Faegre Drinker website.

Minnesota Lawmakers Make Modest Changes to Earned Sick & Safe Time and Paid Leave as Programs Move Towards Full Implementation

During the 2025 Minnesota legislative session, as part of the omnibus Workforce, Labor and Economic Development bill, lawmakers included a few targeted amendments to both the Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST) and the Minnesota Paid Leave (MPL) laws. These changes become effective in 2025 and 2026, and clarify certain provisions, as well as adjust implementation of the laws.

As all employers prepare for the MPL program to take effect on January 1, 2026, many are in the process of determining whether the state plan or an equivalent plan is the better option.

To view the full alert, visit the Faegre Drinker website.

F-1, M-1, J-1 Visa Interviews Resume With Enhanced Screening of Applicants’ Online Activity

The new screening measures direct U.S. consular officers to thoroughly review visa applicants’ social media accounts and overall online presence. The directive encourages applicants to set their social media profiles to “public,” as private accounts may be perceived as an attempt to conceal information. Due to the increased screening workload, the number of available visa appointment slots is expected to decline, resulting in longer appointment wait times and visa processing times.

To view the full alert, visit the Faegre Drinker website.