INSIDE COMPLIANCE – Page 10 – Loyola University Chicago School of Law

Mass Deportation and the Fall of Immigration Detention Regulations

February 13, 2025Department of Justice

As the Trump administration ushers in a new era of mass deportation and hysteria, “sanctuary” communities like Chicago are more important now than ever. The term “sanctuary” generally refers to states, counties or cities that have policies that limit the extent to which a local officials will cooperate with federal agencies’ efforts to deport undocumented persons. Recently, regulations concerning detention and deportations of undocumented immigrants have rapidly devolved, along with what protections they offered to these communities. Previous regulations were similarly deferential to federal enforcement agencies, particularly U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). However, the current administration is actively working to broaden federal authorities’ power to deport immigrants who are not lawfully in the U.S. and have been accused, rather than convicted, of crimes. One way the administration seeks to do so is by loosening its regulation of the methods ICE may use to conduct arrests as well as the role state and local law enforcement may play in such operations. Biden administration’s discontinuing the practice of mass immigration sweeps at worksites such as factories is just one of the limitations that has been discarded. This leaves already fragile protections for undocumented persons to the wayside, resulting in unnecessary harm and suffering to thousands of undocumented persons and citizens.

Department of JusticeExecutive OrdersImmigration

Recording Justice: How BWCs Impact Accountability and Transparency

February 12, 2025Department of Justice

Body-worn cameras, known as BWCs, are devices fitted to the outside of an officer’s uniform “that record interactions between community members and law enforcement officers.” These cameras record both video and audio and can be used for numerous reasons, such as providing transparency to members of the greater community and documenting evidence for future investigations or litigation purposes. BWCs have widely become an essential tool used by law enforcement agencies to enhance accountability, improve transparency, and serve as invaluable tools in legal proceedings.

Studies suggest BWCs contribute to a reduction in use-of-force incidents. The absence of a federal mandate has led to inconsistent state regulations, which has created compliance challenges and sparked legal debates. This has led to increased compliance challenges and legal debates. There have been several efforts to standardize BWC policies around the country, such as a push by the Department of Justice for a nationwide adoption and H.R. 843, a proposed legislation looking to increase BWC usage. Unfortunately, issues such as financial burdens, officer misuse, and legal barriers continually pose challenges for widespread adoption. Even with all of these obstacles, BWCs have been proven to have a significant impact in the courtroom, helping influence trial strategies and even charging decisions made by attorneys. While BWCs are not the antidote for police misconduct, they are an important step towards communities with greater accountability and justice.

BWCDOJlaw enforcementNIJpolice accountabilitytransparency

$TRUMP: The President’s Overconfident Approach to Crypto

February 10, 2025Uncategorized

On the campaign trail in 2024, the then-former president Trump made his ties to the crypto industry clear, such that crypto leaders were optimistic about the future in terms of regulations. Upon his entry into office, President Trump solidified this stance by signing an executive order: “Strengthening American Leadership in Digital Financial Technology.” This executive order lightens the regulations on crypto currencies and promotes the presence of crypto in the American economy. Some industry leaders, however, are hesitant about the President’s actions.

Will California’s Anti-Price-Gouging Measures be Effective in the Wake of Wildfires?

February 6, 2025Regulation

In response to the January 2025 wildfires that have burned through Los Angeles County (L.A. County), California Governor Gavin Newsom issued numerous executive orders including Executive Order N-9-25, which extended renter protections against price gouging on hotel and motel rates, as well as rental housing prices across the county. Around 12,000 homes and buildings have been destroyed in the fires, leaving behind a worsening shortage of affordable housing for Los Angeles residents. To make matters worse, as the housing supply in L.A. County has suffered, there have been reports of price gouging on rent and housing costs by landlords and property owners. California law protects residents from price gouging following a natural disaster through a 10% cap on price increases. Thus, tenants’ rights advocates have called for strict enforcement against those who impose excessive price increases in violation of this regulation.

Housingnatural disasterprice gouging

Trump’s New Administration Puts ESG on the Chopping Block

February 6, 2025Regulation

Over the past decade, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations have become an integral part of the corporate compliance landscape. The term captures a wide range of issues, including sustainable investing, equitable board composition, climate change efforts, shareholder rights, executive compensation, and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programming. Amidst its growth in prominence, ESG has been hotly debated in recent years, with an energetic anti-ESG movement taking hold in conservative circles. The politicization of ESG made it a major issue in the 2024 presidential race, and as a candidate, President Trump promised to dismantle its regulatory framework if elected. Now in the early days of his administration, he has begun to act on those promises, laying the groundwork for his administration’s regulatory agenda and signaling his priorities for the next four years.

Navigating the TikTok Ban Debate: Recent Regulatory Developments and the Path Forward

February 5, 2025National Security, Privacy & Security

In recent years, TikTok has become a dominant force in the social media landscape, boasting over a billion users globally. However, its meteoric rise has been accompanied by mounting scrutiny, particularly in the United States. Concerns over national security, data privacy, and foreign influence have led to calls for restrictions, bans, and legislative action. As these debates unfold, it is essential to examine the legal, regulatory, and practical dimensions of the TikTok controversy and consider the path forward.

data privacyforeign relationsTikTok

The FTC’s Noncompete Ban; Will It Survive the Trump Administration?

November 22, 2024FTC, Noncompetes

On April 23rd, 2024, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced a rule banning the use of noncompetes. The rule faced significant opposition and was blocked by a Texas federal court. The FTC under its current chair, Lina Khan, is fighting the ruling. However, President-Elect Donald Trump will likely effectively put an end to the FTC’s noncompete ban because of his own use of restrictive non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) that act as noncompetes and the stances of some of his megadonors.

FTCnoncompetesTrump

The Future of Clean Water Act Regulations Under the Future Trump Administration

November 22, 2024EPA

A second Trump administration is sure to challenge a variety of clean water and drinking water regulations, as evidenced by various policies proposed by the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025. President-elect Donald Trump has distanced himself politically from the project but it remains relevant as he continues to surround himself with many of its authors. Many water lawyers and environmental advocates thus expect a second Trump administration to continue the federal water deregulation efforts seen in his first administration. Specifically, President-elect Trump will likely challenge and potentially repeal both the Biden Administration’s “waters of the US” (WOTUS) rule and its Section 401 state certification rule. These moves are likely to be compounded by other ecological regulation rollbacks and further exacerbate an already worsening climate crisis in the United States.

1972 Clean Water Actenvironmentenvironmental regulationEPAwaterwater pollution

Major Regulatory Rollbacks Expected from Trump’s New SEC

November 21, 2024Regulation, SEC

With the return of the Trump Administration looming large, rumors of possible regulatory appointments are already swirling. One federal agency that will undoubtedly see major changes with the transition of power is the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the authority responsible for regulating the securities market and protecting investors. With the shift in presidential administration coupled with significant GOP gains in the House and Senate, analysts have begun to speculate on how agency leadership and staffing changes will impact securities policy and rulemaking, and what the rest of the country can expect from the markets over the next four years.

complianceCongressCryptocurrencyenforcementfederal agenciesPresident BidenRegulationregulatory agencyrulemakingSECsecuritiesTrump Administration

Breaking Down Voter Suppression: Understanding Restrictive Voting Laws and the Path Forward

November 20, 2024Elections

In a democracy, the right to vote is one of the most fundamental ways citizens can make their voices heard. However, in recent years, access to the ballot box has become increasingly restricted in various states where legislative actions have introduced stricter voting requirements. As these restrictive laws target specific groups, the effects are widespread and deeply felt, raising critical questions about the future of voting rights in the U.S. To understand this complex issue, it’s crucial to explore the nature of voter suppression, the state and federal regulations shaping voting access, and the potential solutions to ensure fair and equal voting opportunities for all.

Election LawvotersVoting Rights