Immigration Nerds

Can America's immigration system handle the 2026 FIFA World Cup? With 3 million daily travelers expected and visa wait times stretching hundreds of days in key countries, we're facing unprecedented challenges. Ryan Propis from the US Travel Association joins us to discuss what needs to happen now - from expanding visa waiver programs to deploying AI-powered screening technology. This isn't just about soccer; it's about America's ability to welcome the world while maintaining security. This is our first episode in an ongoing series, looking forward to the FIFA World Cup 2026.GUEST:  Ryan Propis, VP of Security and Facilitation, US Travel HOST: Lauren ClarkeNEWS NERD: Rob TaylorPRODUCER: Adam BelmarResource Links:Commission on Seamless and Secure Travel ReportFIFA World Cup 26: Host countries, cities, dates, teams, tickets, qualifying and more

Host Lauren Clarke dives into major H-1B developments with immigration reporter Andrew Kreighbaum from Bloomberg Law. They discuss the Trump administration's proposed weighted selection rule that cleared White House review, which could fundamentally change the H-1B lottery system from random selection to wage-based allocation. The conversation also covers troubling trends of terminated H-1B workers receiving notices to appear during their grace periods, broader challenges facing foreign workers entering the US, and uncertainty surrounding F-1 student programs and OPT employment options.GUEST: Andrew Kreighbaum, Immigration Reporter, Bloomberg LawHOST: Lauren ClarkeNEWS NERD: Rob TaylorPRODUCER: Adam BelmarResource Links:Trump DHS Proposes Limiting Foreign Students to Four Years in US | Bloomberg Law, Reporter Andrew Kreighbaum, Aug. 27, 2025H-1B Worker Weighted Selection Rule Clears White House Review | Bloomberg Law, Reporter Andrew Kreighbaum, Aug. 11, 2025

Host Lauren Clarke and immigration policy analyst Cecilia Esterline from the Niskanen Center break down the latest USCIS data on the Immigration Nerds. With an 18% drop in case completions and I-90 applications seeing 938% longer processing times, the numbers reveal unprecedented administrative strain. From I-765 work authorization backlogs jumping 181% to 450 USCIS employees reassigned to enforcement, we explore how 175 executive actions in 100 days are reshaping America's immigration system through data-driven analysis. Resource Links:Immigration Analysis from Cecilia Esterline, Niskanen CenterGuest:  Cecilia Esterline, Senior Immigration Policy Analyst, Niskanen CenterHost: Lauren ClarkeNews Nerd: Rob Taylor Producer: Adam Belmar

American farms are facing an unprecedented workforce crisis as Temporary Protected Status (TPS) programs for multiple countries terminate this August, threatening to remove an estimated 76,000 agricultural workers from the labor force. But what does this mean for food security, rural economies, and the future of legal farm labor?Immigration Nerds Host, Lauren Clarke, is joined by immigration attorney LJ D'Arrigo to reveal how farms following the law through H-2A visa programs face greater penalties than those operating in gray areas, creating a dangerous compliance paradox.D'Arrigo breaks down the "August 5th cliff" – the simultaneous termination of TPS designations for Nepal, Cameroon, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Haiti – and explains why states like Florida (357,000 TPS holders) and Texas (124,000) will be hit hardest. While the Department of Labor signals potential H-2A streamlining efforts, the reality is stark: many longtime farm workers with decades of loyalty to their employers face impossible choices between self-deportation or living in the shadows.From the human cost of breaking up farm families to the economic impact of losing trained workers, this episode explores practical solutions farms can implement now, the enforcement climate creating fear even among legal workers, and why seasonal agricultural visas may be the one area where immigration reform is actually possible. Essential listening for anyone navigating the intersection of immigration policy and America’s food supply.GUEST: Leonard J D’Arrigo (LJ), Harris Beach Murtha PartnerHOST: Lauren Clarke, EIG Senior Managing AttorneyPRODUCER: Adam Belmar

Canada's immigration landscape is undergoing a significant shift. But what does this mean for students, skilled workers, and families hoping to build their lives there? Immigration Nerds Host, Lauren Clarke, delves into the significant policy changes affecting thousands of temporary and permanent residents, joined by international practice experts Justin Storch and Jesse Root. From stricter student visa requirements to reduced provincial nomination quotas, discover how these changes may impact an individual's or employer's immigration strategy and whether Canada remains a viable alternative to U.S. immigration pathways. This episode is essential listening for anyone navigating the evolving Canadian immigration system.GUESTS: Justin Storch, Associate Attorney, EIG International Practice; ​Jesse Root, International Practice Project Manager  NEWS NERD: Rob Taylor, EIG PartnerHOST: Lauren Clarke, EIG Senior Managing Attorney PRODUCER: Adam Belmar

In this newest episode of the Immigration Nerds podcast, we explore what it truly means to become an American. Host Lauren Clarke talks to author Rajani LaRocca, whose latest children's book "Some of Us: A Story of Citizenship and the United States," offers a poignant look at the immigration and naturalization process. Through beautiful prose and captivating illustrations, LaRocca guides readers through this deeply personal yet universally significant journey that defines so much of our nation's character.GUEST: Rajani LaRocca, Author, Physician, Naturalized CitizenHOST: Lauren ClarkeNEWS NERD: Rob TaylorPRODUCER: Adam BelmarShow Links: Some of Us: A Story of Citizenship and the United States

America faces a critical shortage in its care workforce, the millions of workers who provide childcare, elder care, and support for people with disabilities. With 9 million job openings expected in direct care over the next decade and an aging population that will see 89 million Americans over 65 by 2060, this crisis affects every family. In this episode, host Lauren Clarke sits down with Amanda Bergson-Shilcock, Senior Fellow at the National Skills Coalition, to explore how immigration policy intersects with America's growing demand for care workers. You'll discover that immigrants already comprise one in four direct care workers and one in three home care workers. Yet, policy barriers often prevent talented caregivers from filling these essential roles.Plus, immigration news from Erickson Immigration Group partner Rob Taylor, covering the latest developments affecting F-1 students from China and Hong Kong, new restrictions on Harvard exchange programs, and the implementation of a new travel ban affecting 19 countries.Show Links:Workforce Advisory Council to Address Urgent Care Workforce Needs: https://nationalskillscoalition.org/news/press-releases/nsc-launches-care-workforce-advisory-council/

Discover the hidden culinary history of Asian heritage chefs who've served U.S. presidents. Host Lauren Clarke welcomes food historian Adrian Miller and chef Deborah Chang, co-authors of "Asian Heritage Chefs in White House History: Cooking to the President's Taste." From Lee Ping Quan's presidential yacht service in the 1920s to Chef Cristeta Comerford's 19-year tenure as White House Executive Chef, learn how these talented cooks navigated anti-Asian immigration policies while introducing authentic dishes to America's first families. The episode explores how military service provided a pathway to citizenship, reveals surprising fusion recipes from presidential kitchens, and demonstrates food's power as cultural diplomacy. Plus, the latest immigration news with EIG partner Rob Taylor.This episode is part of our ongoing "Food of Immigrants" series, this month featuring stories that highlight Asian American, Hawaiian, and Native Pacific Islander heritage during their heritage month.GUESTS: Co-Authors of "Asian Heritage Chefs in White House History: Cooking to the President's Taste"Adrian Miller, Author, Food Historian, James Beard Award WinnerDeborah Chang, Chef, Recipe Developer, AttorneyHOST: LAUREN CLARKENEWS NERD: ROB TAYLORPRODUCER: ADAM BELMARShow Links:Asian Heritage Chefs in White House History: Cooking to the President’s Taste

In this episode of the Immigration Nerds Podcast, we explore how immigration directly impacts the solvency and sustainability of Social Security with economist Dr. Tara Watson, Director of the Center for Economic Security and Opportunity at the Brookings Institution.As America faces an aging population and declining birth rates, Dr. Watson explains how immigrants serve as economic contributors to our retirement systems, often paying far more into Social Security than they'll ever receive in benefits. She breaks down the demographic math behind our current crisis, presents evidence-based solutions that could extend Social Security's viability, and discusses how immigration policies might help. This episode will examine the data-driven relationship between immigration and one of America's most essential safety net programs.GUEST:  Dr. Tara Watson, Director, Center for Economic Security and Opportunity, Brookings InstitutionHOST: Lauren ClarkeNEWS NERD: Rob Taylor PRODUCER: Adam Belmar

What does it feel like to miss your green card approval by just eight days after waiting for nearly a decade? In this compelling episode, we follow KC Lakshminarasimham's 16-year odyssey through America's labyrinthine immigration system.From his unexpected arrival in the U.S. during the 2008 recession to coming heartbreakingly close to permanent residency, only to have bureaucratic delays slam the door shut at the last moment, KC's story captures both the frustration and determination required to navigate employment-based immigration. Adding to the complexity, his wife—a qualified dentist—faced her own career obstacles due to her dependent visa status.After years of setbacks and a devastating near-miss, discover how KC finally achieved success by proving his "extraordinary ability" when traditional paths failed him. This eye-opening conversation reveals the human cost behind immigration statistics and offers crucial insights for skilled professionals facing similar challenges. Don't miss this powerful testament to perseverance that illuminates why America's immigration policies matter for our technological and economic leadership.GUEST:  KC Lakshminarasimham "Lack-shmee-nara-sim-ham"HOST: Lauren ClarkeINTERVIEWER: Justin ParsonsNEWS NERD: Rob TaylorPRODUCER: Adam Belmar

In this timely episode of the Immigration Nerds podcast, host Lauren Clarke is joined by Erickson Immigration Group partners, Rob Taylor and Alejandra Zapatero, to analyze the immigration landscape 90 days into President Trump's second administration.GUEST: Alejandra Zapatero, Erickson Immigration Group Partner and Rob Taylor, Erickson Immigration Group PartnerHOST: Lauren Clarke PRODUCER: Adam Belmar

In this compelling episode of the Immigration Nerds podcast, we speak with composer Kevin Charoensri, whose dream opportunity to have his music performed by "The President's Own" United States Marine Band was abruptly canceled by a presidential executive order restricting diversity initiatives.Despite this setback, Kevin's composition has gained remarkable attention. This episode explores immigration, cultural identity, artistic expression, and resilience.Show Links: Kevin CharoensriRISING LIGHT - Kevin Charoensri Performed by the University of California - Los Angeles Wind Ensemble under Travis Cross.GUEST:  Kevin CharoensriHOST: Lauren ClarkeNEWS NERD: Rob Taylor PRODUCER: Adam Belmar

In this episode of Immigration Nerds, host Lauren Clarke sits down with Laura Collins, Director of the Bush Institute-SMU Economic Growth Initiative, to explore their 2025 policy recommendations on immigration reform. Collins presents a compelling economic case for modernizing America's immigration system, highlighting how immigration serves as a competitive advantage even when legal frameworks may fail to maximize its potential. The conversation delves into temporary worker visa programs, employment-based green cards, and the role of refugee resettlement in global security. Collins offers forward-thinking perspectives on how immigration can address America's demographic challenges, particularly as future workforce growth shifts to regions like Sub-Saharan Africa.INTERVIEW RECORD: Wednesday, 3/12/25 @ 11:30 aM ETShow Links:George W. Bush Institute | Policy Recommendation | January 13, 2025: Reforming Our Immigration System to Maximize America's PotentialGUEST: Laura Collins, Director, George W. Bush Institute-SMU Economic Growth InitiativeHOST: Lauren ClarkeNEWS NERD: Rob TaylorPRODUCER: Adam Belmar

In this episode of Immigration Nerds, host Lauren Clarke explores how Fiona McEntee's children's book "Our American Dream" finally has its moment five years after its original release. As immigration continues to dominate headlines in February 2025, this collection of positive immigration stories told through rhyming verse has become more relevant than ever. McEntee, an Irish immigrant and immigration attorney herself, discusses how she's getting her book into the hands of children who need its message most - including community centers in areas where immigrants have faced hostility. She shares how the book is helping immigrant children feel welcome during uncertain times and giving teachers a tool to have age-appropriate conversations about immigration in classrooms. The episode also features Immigration News Nerd Rob Taylor with updates on TPS termination for Haiti, new visa interview waiver restrictions at several US consulates, and a reminder about the upcoming H-1B cap registration period.Show Links:Our American Dream: https://www.ouramericandreambooks.com/

In an era of shifting immigration policies, how can schools protect their most vulnerable students? This urgent episode features Luma Mufleh, founder of Fugees Family Inc., who has created a groundbreaking School Crisis Playbook for deportation response. Drawing from her personal experience as a refugee and educator, Mufleh provides crucial insights into preparing schools for immigration enforcement scenarios while maintaining student dignity and hope. GUESTS: Luma Mufleh, Fugees FamilyHOST: Lauren ClarkeNEWS NERD: Rob Taylor PRODUCER: Adam BelmarShow Links:School Crisis Playbook: Deportation Response - Navigating Deportation Policies with Practical Tools and Preparedness Fugees Family - Advancing educational justice for refugee and immigrant youth                                                                              

Immigration Nerds host Lauren Clarke talks with Erickson Immigration Group partners Alejandra Zapatero and Hiba Anver about President Trump's new executive orders on immigration following his second-term inauguration on January 20, 2025. They break down three major changes: potential new travel bans affecting certain countries, stricter rules for existing visa programs, and a controversial attempt to change birthright citizenship rules.Zapatero and Anver explain how these orders might face legal challenges in court, especially the birthright citizenship order, which tries to change how the 14th Amendment is interpreted.They emphasize that while many of these changes could significantly impact legal immigrants and their families, the full effects aren't yet clear as courts review the orders and agencies work out implementation details.SHOW RESOURCE LINKS:Trump Presidential Actions: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/EIG Day 1 Summary | The Trump Administration's Immigration Executive Orders: https://eiglaw.com/trump-administration-immigration-executive-orders/

January is National Mentoring month, and in this episode of Immigration Nerds, we explore StreetWise Partners' transformative mentorship program helping underemployed job seekers, particularly immigrants and first-generation Americans, navigate the U.S. job market. CEO Shari Krull discusses how their 2,500-strong volunteer network provides crucial career coaching, while recent mentee graduate, Denise Phillips, shares her inspiring journey from São Paulo's underprivileged community to securing a senior project management role at a major hospitality company - achieving a standout role, and personal and professional confidence in her career. Erickson Immigration Group is proud to be a national corporate partner to StreetWise Partners.SHOW RESOURCE LINKS:StreetWise Partners: https://www.streetwisepartners.org/ Denise Phillips, StreetWise Mentee: https://www.streetwisepartners.org/success-stories/denises-storyNational Mentoring Month 2025: https://www.mentoring.org/campaigns/national-mentoring-month/ 

Forbes senior contributor Stuart Anderson joins host Lauren Clarke to discuss his article highlighting 2024's most inspiring immigration stories. Anderson, executive director of the National Foundation for American Policy, shares remarkable stories, including Albert Oso Asari, a Ghanaian tech entrepreneur who overcame H-1B visa challenges to found a billion-dollar company; six immigrant construction workers who tragically died in the Baltimore bridge collapse; Gil Howard, an 82-year-old professor who has taught over 400 Afghan women to drive; and Bernard Kimono, a Congolese refugee who rose from a Tanzanian refugee camp to join the U.S. national soccer team.GUEST:  Stuart Anderson, Executive Director, National Foundation for American Policy & Senior Contributor to ForbesHOST: Lauren ClarkePRODUCER: Adam BelmarSHOW RESOURCE LINKS:The Most Inspiring Immigration Stories Of 2024Stuart Anderson on ForbesNational Foundation for American Policy

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Tarun Batchu, a remarkable high school junior from Powell, Ohio, who has developed an innovative algorithm that could transform how we approach immigration policy. As the child of Indian immigrants, Tarun's personal connection to immigration inspired him to create Nexus, a groundbreaking tool that analyzes migration patterns using artificial intelligence and real-time data. Already garnering attention from international institutions including the French and Sri Lankan Foreign Ministries, Tarun's work demonstrates how the next generation is bringing fresh perspectives and technological solutions to complex global challenges. Join us for a fascinating conversation about the intersection of technology, policy, and the future of immigration, as we explore how a high school debate topic evolved into a potentially game-changing innovation for global migration management.SHOW RESOURCE LINKS:Tarun Batchu: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tarun-batchu-986017284/GUEST: Tarun Batchu, Developer, Nexus immigration algorithmHOST: Lauren Clarke PRODUCER: Adam Belmar

Erickson Immigration Group Partner Rob Taylor joins Immigration Nerds Host Lauren Clarke to discuss what preparations visa holders need to make before they embark on international travel at the end of 2024 and the beginning of 2025. Hit play to learn what essential documents you need to have in order and with you when you travel. Hear the tips that can help you with visa processing and how to handle possible administrative delays, plus what to consider when it comes to potential impacts on travel from the U.S. administration change on January 20, 2025.