Trump Administration Revives Controversial Executive Orders Against Law Firms The Trump administration has relaunched its defense of a pair of executive orders targeting certain law firms that have contracts with the government, sparking concerns among legal professionals and advocacy groups. The move comes after a federal judge in August blocked the administration's efforts to impose new regulations on these firms. The two executive orders, issued by President Donald Trump in May 2019, aimed to restrict the ability of law firms to hire foreign nationals or use contingency fee agreements when handling government contracts. Critics have long argued that the measures were designed to target law firms with significant Democratic Party connections or liberal leanings. In its latest filing, the administration claims that it has the authority to impose new regulations on law firms under the Constitution's "Take Care" clause. This clause gives the president the power to ensure that executive branch officials carry out their duties in a manner consistent with federal laws and policies. The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) has condemned the move, saying it would have a devastating impact on immigration attorneys who rely heavily on foreign nationals to help clients navigate the US legal system. "These executive orders were always about targeting law firms that serve immigrant communities," said AILA President Susan Napier. "This administration's latest attempt to revive these discriminatory and unconstitutional measures is an affront to the rule of law and our nation's values." The National A...#Justice_Department #Trump_Administration #American_Immigration_Lawyers_Association #National_Association_of_Criminal_Defense_Lawyers #US_legal_system #immigrant_communities #marginalized_communities #Constitution_s_Take_Care_clause
Trump Administration Drops Defense of Law Firm Sanctions The Trump administration has decided to drop its defense of sanctions against a law firm that was accused of violating U.S. laws by working with foreign governments, according to people familiar with the matter. The move marks a significant shift in the government's stance on the case, which had been seen as a test of how aggressively the administration would enforce its rules on lobbying and political consulting firms. The law firm in question is Alston & Bird LLP, which was accused by the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of violating U.S. sanctions by working with foreign governments that are subject to economic penalties. In a statement, a spokesperson for the Justice Department said only that the government "has decided not to appeal" the decision by a federal judge in Washington D.C. to lift the sanctions against Alston & Bird. The sanctions were imposed in 2017 after an investigation found that the law firm had worked with foreign governments that are subject to U.S. economic penalties, including Cuba and Venezuela. Lawyers for Alston & Bird argued that the sanctions were overly broad and harmed the firm's ability to continue practicing law. The judge agreed, ruling that the sanctions were "invalid" and ordering their lifting. The Trump administration had been expected to appeal the decision, but people familiar with the matter said that officials had been reevaluating the case in recent weeks. It is unclear what led to the change of heart, but some speculate that the administration may have realized that appealing the decision could lead to a further legal and...#Venezuela #Justice_Department #Alston_and_Bird_LLP #Trump_Administration #US_laws #Office_of_Foreign_Assets_Control #Treasury_Department #Washington_DC #Cuba
