United States: Crime

According to multiple published reports, the Trump administration has directed the IRS’s Criminal Investigation Division (IRS-CI) to zero in on left-leaning exempt organizations. One of those sources, The Wall Street Journal, describes how the IRS is being reorganized to enable easier pursuit of investigations of organizations it deems politically adversarial (The Wall Street Journal, https://on.wsj.com/3N0b15J).

In January 2021, federal prosecutors in Brooklyn unsealed a criminal complaint charging political scientist Kaveh Lotfolah Afrasiabi with conspiring to act and acting as an unregistered agent of the Iranian government under FARA. While Afrasiabi built a public persona as a respected political science professor, author, and television commentator, DOJ alleged that he was a secretly compensated employee of Tehran.

In 1951, the Peace Information Center (PIC) and five of its officers were indicted for willfully failing to register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA). The PIC was founded in April 1950 by several activists, including its chairman, author W.E.B. Du Bois, to educate Americans about peace and to gain support for a ban on nuclear weapons.

Massachusetts has enacted a new law criminalizing sexual conduct between mandated reporters and minors aged 16-17 over whom they exercise supervisory authority, carrying penalties up to 20 years in prison. The legislation addresses power imbalances in relationships between minors and adults in positions of authority such as teachers, coaches, and healthcare providers, even after formal supervisory roles have ended. Employers of mandated reporters must now update policies, training programs, and codes of con

Louisiana's Behind the Counter Protection Act, effective August 1, 2026, strengthens criminal penalties for workplace violence against retail, restaurant, and customer-facing employees. While the law doesn't mandate new compliance programs, businesses should understand how enhanced penalties for assault and battery apply to their workforce and consider integrating these protections into existing safety practices.

The Trump Administration has introduced a groundbreaking framework allowing vetted U.S. cybersecurity companies to conduct government-supervised offensive cyber operations against transnational criminal organizations. This unprecedented initiative raises critical questions about liability allocation, operational oversight, and the practical implications for private-sector firms considering participation in government-directed cyber surveillance and disruption activities.

The U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Blanche v. Lau fundamentally changes how border officers may treat lawful permanent residents with criminal histories when returning from international travel. While not every green-card holder faces immediate concern, those with pending charges, prior convictions, or unresolved criminal matters now face heightened scrutiny that could affect their reentry rights. Understanding the distinction between being treated as a returning resident versus an applicant for admission

You need to know! These are some of the laws that go into effect on July 1, 2026. On rare occasions, a law goes into effect immediately upon being enacted (as is the case with some of the new gun safety laws)...

The Supreme Court's decision in Blanche v. Lau fundamentally alters the legal landscape for green card holders with criminal histories who travel internationally. Border officers can now reclassify returning permanent residents as first-time applicants based on pending charges or past criminal conduct, stripping away critical procedural protections and potentially leading to removal proceedings. Understanding how this ruling affects re-entry rights and what steps green card holders must take before internat