All Perspectives

This Immigration Compliance and Policy Checklist provides a practical framework to help employers assess whether their immigration related practices are legally compliant and aid in developing policies to ensure practices are aligned with their operational and talent needs.

On February 6, bipartisan members of the US Helsinki Commission, led by Chairman Senator Roger Wicker, called on US Attorney General Pam Bondi, US Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent, and US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick to “robustly enforce” the Foreign Extortion Protection Act (FEPA).

On February 11, the US Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) announced a settlement agreement and $252 million civil penalty against California-based Applied Materials Inc. and its subsidiary Applied Materials Korea, Ltd.

Fully autonomous vehicles (i.e., those that can operate on public roads without a human driver, SAE level 4), now mostly in the form of ride-hailing services, are becoming ubiquitous in urban areas across the nation as manufacturers and operators look to expand their services and gain market share.

Analysts say 2026 will bring fierce competition among automakers, but higher MSRPs, steady inventory and affordability pressures mean buyers may not pay less.

The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina has captivated the world, but not just for the athletic feats on display.

Customs Practice Leader Angela Santos and Senior Associate Lucas Rock will present at a Canadian Apparel Federation webinar examining the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling on tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).

International Trade & Investment Partner James Kim will lead a discussion at DesignCon 2026 on February 25th.

Gift card cash redemption laws — also known as “cash-out” laws — require retailers to refund the remaining balance on a gift card in cash when that balance falls below a specified dollar threshold. These consumer protection statutes are designed to prevent small, unusable balances from becoming “breakage” that benefits the retailer rather than the consumer. Several states have enacted such laws, each with varying thresholds and requirements.

AFS Partner Kevin Matz will present at the EPCNYC’s annual Heckerling Review on February 24, 2026, in New York.

Customs & Import Compliance Practice Group Leader Angela Santos was quoted on the US Supreme Court’s 6-3 ruling that the Trump Administration lacks constitutional authority to impose tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).

ArentFox Schiff is pleased to announce that five thought leaders have been recognized by the 2026 JD Supra Readers’ Choice Awards, which acknowledge the visibility and engagement their thought leadership has earned among readers over the past year.

AFS Product Liability Partner Jonathan Judge will speak on a panel at the International Consumer Product Health and Safety Organization’s (ICPHSO) 2026 Annual Meeting and Training Symposium on February 25, 2026.

Headlines that Matter for Companies and Executives in Regulated Industries

The plaintiff, NEXT Payment Solutions, Inc., designs and develops customer service software. The defendant, CLEAResult Consulting, Inc., provides North American utilities with energy efficiency programs and services for utility customers, including the opportunity to schedule in-home appointments for services like home energy-efficiency assessments.

A recent Michigan federal court decision emphasizes the need to review the separateness of corporate entities so that operational issues associated with one entity do not result in potential exposure for others.

After months of anticipation, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) has issued its long-awaited opinion on the legality of the tariffs imposed by President Trump under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA or the Act), and the decision should be a landmark victory for importers.

A federal court’s recent ruling shields members of a national trade association from Oregon’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program pending trial, raising constitutional questions that could affect similar programs in other states.

When most consumer product companies think about the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), they think recalls and injury prevention.

Welcome to the February 2026 issue of “As the (Customs and Trade) World Turns,” our monthly newsletter where we compile essential updates from the customs and trade world over the past month. We bring you the most recent and significant insights in an accessible format, concluding with our main takeaways — aka “And the Fox Says…” — on what you need to know.

In the latest episode of Beyond the Lot, Kevin E. Timson speaks with Zach Kuzemka, CEO of NBB, about the current state of the dealership buy-sell market, with a focus on the need to “grow or go,” bring in outside capital, optimize rooftop mix, and implement long-term succession plans and estate plans.

ArentFox Schiff has released its latest annual report analyzing forced labor law developments and enforcement activity.

Family offices enter 2026 amid structural changes across tax policy, fiduciary law, and regulatory administration. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA or OB3) resets key elements of the private wealth landscape, while cautionary tales lurk in marital trust planning and recent Internal Revenue Service (IRS) challenges to grantor retained annuity trusts (GRATs).

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released detailed payment amounts, performance targets, and reporting requirements for the Advancing Chronic Care with Effective, Scalable Solutions (ACCESS) Model, applicable to care periods beginning July 5 through December 31, 2027.

On February 5, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced it will now allow food companies to use “no artificial colors” claims when foods do not contain any food, drug, and cosmetic (FD&C)-certified synthetic colors, shifting away from the historical view that such claims were only appropriate where no color was added at all.