Immigration New rule gives Trump administration more discretion to change asylum law A Justice Department sign hangs in the department’s press briefing room in Washington. A rule change affecting the department’s Executive Office for Immigration Review will allow the Trump administration more discretion in altering asylum law. (Patrick Semansky/AP) August 23, 2019 The Trump administration […]

TRONG NGUYEN/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM Complying with the Hatch Act Isn’t That Difficult Here’s what federal employees need to know. By Debra D’Agostino | AUGUST 15, 2019 12:44 PM ET The Hatch Act restricts federal employees from taking part in political activity, defined as any activity directed at the success or failure of a political party, partisan political […]

Union: Federal anti-resistance rule is too broad to be enforced A lawsuit filed by the American Federation of Government Employees takes issue with where the line is drawn between Hatch Act violations and free speech protections. (AVNphotolab) A 2018 Office of Special Counsel policy advising federal employees to not use impeachment or resistance language in […]

Union Sues to Give Federal Employees the Right to Talk ‘Impeachment’ and ‘Resistance’ August 13, 2019 A federal employee union filed a lawsuit against the Office of Special Counsel Tuesday in response to the office’s guidance on federal employees using the terms “impeachment” and “resist” at work, citing free speech violations and a misinterpretation of […]

Navy tells sailors to tamp out any CBD, hemp use August 7, 2019 1:08 pm The Navy is warning its sailors to stay away from the deluge of CBD products that are popping up from convenience stores to farmers markets. A Wednesday release from Navy Secretary Richard Spencer is telling sailors that even if cannabidiol […]

Former FBI agent Peter Strzok is suing to be reinstated in his job, and for back pay. MANUEL BALCE CENETA / AP FILE PHOTO Former FBI Agent Peter Strzok’s Lawsuit Highlights a Gray Area in the Hatch Act The act does not address the use of  government cell phones to send political text messages. AUGUST 9, […]

Allowing ‘voluntary services’ without pay could trigger Antideficiency Act claims By Anjali Patel, Esq., cyberFEDS® Legal Editor Washington Bureau DID YOU KNOW? Agencies may generally not accept “voluntary services” from employees unless authorized by law or for emergencies “imminently” threatening safety or property under Section 1342 of the Antideficiency Act. 31 USC 1342. Although case […]

What consequences border agents could face after Facebook comments By Debra D’Agostino July 10, 2019 6:08 pm  This story has been updated on July 25, 2019 to reflect additional analysis of Border Patrol supervisory actions. All eyes are on Customs and Border Protection to make sure it holds accountable the border patrol agents who made […]

Joanna Friedman, partner at the Federal Practice Group, discusses the court’s reversal of a prior decision on the workforce executive orders, and what the unions are planning to do about it. The D.C. Circuit Court reversed a decision on the President’s workforce executive orders, citing a lack of jurisdiction. The executive orders were tabled last […]

EEOC Makes It Easier for Feds to File Discrimination Appeals July 23, 2019 Federal employees will have an easier time following up on discrimination complaints against their agencies with the creation of a new online tool. While non-federal workers could long file claims with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission online, EEOC just launched the portal for […]