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* Carsten Alting

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Lawrence J. Scott

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Henry M. Burwell

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John B. Hagerty

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William T. Hogan III

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*Admitted as an attorney in Germany

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS AND TRADE

Textiles

U.S.:

• The Committee for Implementation of Textile Agreements (CITA) announced procedures for considering safe-guard actions on textile imports under the U.S.-Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) in Federal Register Notice (71 Fed. Reg. 25, 175 (28 April 06).

INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS AND INVESTMENTS

Foreign Investment

U.S.:

• The Committee on Foreign Investment (CFIUS) and the White House approved the sale of a U.S. subsidiary of a British firm which is a sole source supplier of turbine engine blades to the U.S. Department of Defense to Dubai Holding, LLC, a firm owned by the Dubai Government (23 ITR 697; 5/4/06).

Bilateral Agreements

Vietnam:

• A bilateral market access agreement in principle was reached to open up Vietnamese service markets such as financial services, telecommunications and retailing (23 ITR 744; 5/18/06).

Regional Agreements

Peru:

• Bolivia, Venezuela and Cuba signed a Trade Treaty for the Peoples (TCP) to stimulate trade and integration between the three countries (23 ITR 692; 6/5/06).

LEGISLATIVE AND LEGAL DEVELOPMENTS

Trade

U.S.:

• S. 2760, S. 2778 and S.2763 were introduced in the Senate Finance Committee to temporarily suspend duties on imports of ethanol (23 ITR 777; 5/18/06).

Agriculture

U.S.:

• S. 2696 extends farm bill policy one year past the ongoing WTO negotiations (23 ITR 716; 5/11/06).

Intellectual Property

U.S.:

• A Louisiana state law requiring the restriction of the use of the term “catfish” to fish originating in the United States discriminates against foreign commerce in violation of the U.S. Constitution. Piazza’s Seafood World, LLC v. Odom, 5th Cir., #05-30098, 5/4/06 (23 IR 20; 5/18/06).

IMMIGRATION

Senate Passes a Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill

 (S. 2611)(11 IB 469, May 15, 2006)

• Use of the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) will obligate local law enforcement to pick up persons unlawfully present in the United States.

• The bill includes border enforcement provisions, guest worker program and increased enforcement of employer compliance provisions to reduce and control employment of illegal workers (83 IR p.981; May 22, 2006).

• The commission or omission of material facts will be a “false statement” if used in connection with an immigration document constituting an aggravated felony of document fraud which will be a deportable offense.

• The prospect of reconciliation of this 671 page bill with HR 4437 is unclear as it is referred to Joint Conference Committee.

New Change of Address Form AR-11

• USCIS issued a revised version of Form AR-11 (83 IR p.998; May 22, 2006).

Rule Amendment for Students and Exchange Visitors

• Department of State is revising the Exchange Visitor Program rules in July 2006 (83 IR 1003; May 22, 2006).

NAFTA Professionals from Mexico

• The limits on the number of Mexican professionals being admitted as non-immigrant professionals under NAFTA is removed as of September 2006 (813 IR 1003; May 22, 2006).

DOL and DHS Rule to Reduce Fraud in Permanent Employment Labor Certifications

• The jointly proposed rule will eliminate the current practice of allowing substitution of beneficiaries in labor certification through the USDOL.

PROTECTION AGAINST TERRORISM

Legislation

U.S.

• S.2791 (“Maritime, Rail and Public Transportation Security Act of 2006) requires examination of cargo screening, evaluation and inspection (23 ITR 754; 5/18/06).

• H.R. 282 (“Iran Freedom Support Act”) sanctions foreign companies that invest in Iran’s oil and gas sector to pressure Iran to give up nuclear weapons (23 ITR 698; 5/4/06).

Sources: IR - Interpreter Releases, Federal Publications, Inc.; ITR - International Trade Reporter, Bureau of National Affairs, Inc.; IB-Bender’s Immigration Bulletin; ILT - Immigration Law Today, American Immigration Lawyers Association Monthly Journal; IL - International Lawyer, SMU School of Law; FT- Financial Times; KTF - Korea Trade Focus Monthly Newsletter (Korea International Trade Association) TE - The Economist Magazine; GATM - German American Trade Magazine published by the German American Chamber of Commerce; MAPI - Manufacturers Alliance Legal Analysis and Regulations; WSJ - Wall Street Journal; ILN/ABA-International Law News, American Bar Association; TMIJ-Tax Management International Journal, Bureau of National Affairs, Inc.; AILA - American Immigration Lawyer’s Association
 

International Law Bulletin is an international legal news digest published monthly as a service to Nelson Mullins’ clients and friends.  The articles are summaries of particular developments in the law and are not intended to be a solicitation or to render legal advice. This publication can be considered advertising under applicable laws.  Copyright 2006

Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, L.L.P.

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