Stuart Anderson

The Private Wealth & Philanthropy team at Laytons ETL has been named “Private Client Team of the Year: London” at the 2026 Modern Law Private Client Awards.

MSCA Legacy Limited, in partnership with the Chartered Accountants' Livery Charity (CALC), has announced its latest round of nine awards for students at Greater Manchester's three key universities.

A White House report has defended the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act, pushing back against its characterization by a Smithsonian Institution exhibit that the law was racially motivated. The report, part of a broader effort to influence historical narratives, criticizes the Smithsonian Institution for its interpretations of the act and other historical events. The defense of the Chinese Exclusion Act comes despite extensive historical evidence detailing the widespread anti-Chinese sentiment and violence that underpinned the legislation. The administration's actions, including attempts to pressure the Smithsonian, suggest a sensitivity to criticisms of restrictive immigration policies.

The City of London commercial law firm Laytons ETL has appointed Alec Cameron as its new Head of Intellectual Property Disputes, cementing the firm's reputation in the field as clients increasingly grapple with IP disputes.

The Trump administration has finalized an immigration rule affecting international students on F-1 visas and J-1 exchange visitors. This new policy replaces the current "duration of status" with a fixed four-year period, requiring students to seek extensions if they do not complete their degree in four years. Critics, including educators and businesses, warn this change will deter promising global talent and harm U.S. higher education and innovation. They argue the rule's stated justifications of national security and reducing overstays are weak. They also note that many students take longer than four years to complete a degree and extensions are not guaranteed. DHS concedes the rule could cause international student enrollment to decline.

A new White House report claims that the immigration of scientists harms the United States, contradicting expert consensus. The report aligns with recent administration policies restricting international students and H-1B visa holders. However, data show immigrants are vital to U.S. innovation, making up a large percentage of Ph.D. holders in critical STEM fields and boosting U.S.-born collaborators. Experts argue international students enhance, not sideline, American talent, with most Ph.D.'s staying long-term. Historically, immigrants were crucial to major scientific endeavors like the Manhattan Project and Apollo Program. President Trump has advocated for automatic green cards for international students who graduate from U.S. universities.

A North West business veteran and leading advocate of audit reform has described the professionalism displayed by the latest round of winners of MSCA Legacy's David Illingworth Awards as “hugely encouraging” for the future of a sector that has at times been bedevilled by scandal.

The Trump administration is implementing policies to make U.S. citizenship harder to acquire and easier to revoke. The Department of Justice has prioritized denaturalization, aiming for 100-200 cases monthly, a major increase. USCIS has made the civics test more difficult, proposed significant fee hikes up to 80% and eliminated hardship waivers. Naturalization denial rates have more than doubled, and application processing has plummeted by 75%, leading to a growing backlog despite fewer applications. Critics argue these measures are designed to discourage naturalization and restrict immigration.

The Trump administration is reportedly considering a $100,000 fee for Optional Practical Training (OPT), aiming to deter international students from working in the U.S. post-graduation. This proposal faces opposition from educators, economists and businesses, who highlight students' contributions to innovation and the economy. Critics also question its legality, especially after a federal judge recently struck down a similar $100,000 H-1B fee, deeming it an unconstitutional tax. Research shows international students on OPT do not harm American job prospects but rather boost employment and innovation. Such a fee would likely harm U.S. competitiveness and drive talent to other countries. The policy's future remains uncertain.

WASHINGTON DC, UNITED STATES - FEBRUARY 13: A large US flag is seen on the facade of the Department of Labor headquarters building in Washington D.C. on September 8, 2025.