Premium processing, the vehicle utilized by many U.S. petitioners filing for nonimmigrant and immigrant-based benefits is being resumed by U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) with a phased-in approach commencing June 1, 2020. USCIS notified the public on May 29, 2020, that the suspension of premium processing originally announced on March 20, 2020, would be lifted and a resumption of the popular 15-calendar day ”fast track” turnaround would be implemented as outlined below.

New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo recently announced phased reopening of businesses, with the construction industry included in Phase 1. The Governor’s announcement means project owners in New York should prepare for construction to restart. Given the long pause of most projects in New York, contractors and subcontractors will first report to their most profitable projects where payments are made timely.  We recommend that owners consider taking the following steps before the construction ban is lifted to successfully restart their projects.

For certain small businesses, non-profits and landlords who did not receive a Paycheck Protection Program loan or an Economic Injury Disaster Loan from the Small Business Administration, New York State is making available loans under the New York Forward Loan Fund (NYFLF). The NYFLF is a new economic recovery loan program aimed at supporting New York State’s small businesses, non-profits and landlords as they reopen after the COVID-19 outbreak and New York State on PAUSE.

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell announced on May 19, 2020, before a Senate Committee that the Main Street Lending Program (Program) is anticipated to be launched around the end of May. Prospective borrowers should be preparing for making loan applications with participating lenders when the Program commences.

On May 26, 2020, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio signed the City Council’s bill No.1932-A (the Personal Liability Bill). The Personal Liability Bill adds a new section 22-1005 to the administrative code of the City of New York, suspending the enforcement of personal liability provisions for certain commercial tenants affected by the COVID-19 crisis.

Managing Partner Alan Tarter was quoted in a Law360 article titled, “Agile But Vulnerable, Small Firms Fight to Weather Virus.” The article explains how small and midsize firms were better poised than BigLaw to prepare their offices to work remotely and stay connected to their clients in the early stages of the pandemic.

Intellectual Property Counsel Janet Linn was quoted in the Bloomberg Law article, “Virus Delays Stir Deadline Concerns in Generic Drug Patent Cases.”

To all of our clients, colleagues, business partners, employees and contacts, we are making every effort to closely monitor the COVID-19 outbreak. Tarter Krinsky & Drogin's number one priority is to ensure the continued health, safety and well-being of all concerned. Rest assured, our offices are fully operational and we are conducting business in the usual course.