Immigration Nerds

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 Partner HOST: 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 GUEST: Kevin Charoensri HOST: Lauren Clarke NEWS 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 Collins presents a compelling economic case for modernizing America's outdated immigration system, highlighting how immigration serves as a competitive advantage even when our legal frameworks fail to maximize its potential.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 ET Show Links: George W. Bush Institute | Policy Recommendation | January 13, 2025: Reforming Our Immigration System to Maximize America's Potential GUEST: Laura Collins, Director, George W. Bush Institute-SMU Economic Growth Initiative HOST: Lauren Clarke NEWS NERD: Rob Taylor PRODUCER: 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 Family HOST: Lauren Clarke NEWS NERD: Rob Taylor PRODUCER: Adam Belmar Show 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: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/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-story National 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 Forbes HOST: Lauren Clarke PRODUCER: Adam Belmar SHOW RESOURCE LINKS: The Most Inspiring Immigration Stories Of 2024 Stuart Anderson on Forbes National 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 algorithm HOST: 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.

In this episode of Immigration Nerds, host Lauren Clarke speaks with Shev Dalal-Dheini, Senior Director of Government Relations at the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), about the evolving landscape of legal immigration in 2024. They discuss recent H-1B reforms, increased filing fees, the future of programs like DACA and TPS, and the impact of Supreme Court decisions on immigration policy ahead of the 2024 presidential election. SHOW RESOURCE LINKS: American Immigration Lawyers Association GUEST: Sharvari (Shev) Dalal-Dheini, Senior Director of Government Relations, American Immigration Lawyers Association HOST: Lauren Clarke PRODUCER: Adam Belmar Interview Recorded 10/30/24

Immigration Nerds explores Australia's impending changes to the Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage Visa Program. Host Lauren Clarke is joined by Erickson Immigration Group's Martin Russell and Catherine Thomas from Melbourne for an explainer on the Subclass 482, and potential benefits and challenges for employers and applicants in the evolving Australian immigration landscape. SHOW RESOURCE LINKS: Subclass 482-Temporary Skill Shortage Visa GUEST: Martin Russell, EIG Senior Manager, Australia and Catherine Thomas, EIG Senior Manager, Australia HOST: Lauren Clarke, Managing Attorney NEWS NERD: Rob Taylor, Partner PRODUCER: Adam Belmar

The labor shortage facing America’s farmers and ranchers is persistent and costly. The H-2A visa program for temporary agricultural workers is a critical option for this business. Host Lauren Clarke is joined by immigration attorney L.J. D'Arrigo to explain the H-2A program's purpose, requirements, and challenges for both employers and workers. Plus, get the latest on DOL’s recent regulatory changes and ongoing litigation. GUEST: Leonard J. D'Arrigo / Harris Beach HOST: Lauren Clarke, Erickson Immigration Group Managing Attorney NEWS NERD: Rob Taylor, Partner & Shareholder PRODUCER: Adam Belmar SHOW RESOURCE LINKS: Biden’s New H-2A Rule Expands Protections and Increases Oversight for Migrant Workers, American Immigration CouncilGeorgia sues Biden administration over plan to expand farmworker rights, Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Discover how a Sri Lankan immigrant's love for his mother's cooking sparked a culinary revolution in Sydney. Shaun Christie-David's Colombo Social isn't just serving up delicious dishes – it's changing lives. From empowering refugees to bridging cultural divides, learn how food is becoming a powerful force for social change in Australia. This is the third episode of Immigration Nerd’s special series: Food of Immigrants where we celebrate cultural heritage and fostering community understanding through food. GUEST: Shaun Chistie-David, Chief Executive Officer – Plate it Forward HOST: Lauren Clarke, PRODUCER: Adam Belmar

In this special episode of the Immigration Nerds Podcast, host Lauren Clarke welcomes renowned UCLA law professor Hiroshi Motomura for an in-depth discussion on the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, also known as the Hart-Celler Act. Professor Motomura provides a detailed analysis of this landmark legislation, explaining how it fundamentally changed U.S. immigration policy by abolishing the discriminatory national origins quota system and establishing a new framework based on family reunification and attracting skilled labor. He describes the act as a "sea change" in American immigration law and frames it within the broader context of the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s. This special episode offers listeners a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of a pivotal moment in U.S. immigration history and its lasting effects on American society. GUEST: Hiroshi Motomura, Susan Westerberg Prager Distinguished Professor of Law, UCLA School of Law HOST: Lauren Clarke PRODUCER: Adam Belmar SHOW RESOURCE LINKS: Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 (Hart–Celler Act) Hiroshi Motomura / UCLA School of Law

In October 2023, President Biden issued the "Executive Order on the Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence" with special actions related to immigration and the advancement of AI. This newest episode of the Immigration Nerds podcast looks at how President Biden's Executive Order is impacting immigration, the progress for the implementation of these actions and the deadlines being met, and, perhaps, most importantly, what challenges confront the adaptation of immigration policies to rapidly evolving AI technologies. Immigration Nerds Host Lauren Clarke is joined by special guest Sophie Alcorn for a review on AI and immigration. GUEST: Sophie Alcorn, Founder, Alcorn Immigration Law and Host, The Sophie Alcorn Podcast HOST: Lauren Clarke, Erickson Immigration Group Senior Attorney NEWS NERD: Rob Taylor, Erickson Immigration Group Partner & Shareholder PRODUCER: Adam Belmar SHOW RESOURCE LINKS: Executive Order on the Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence. 10/30/23

In this episode of Immigration Nerds, host Lauren Clarke and Erickson Immigration Group attorneys Andy Finkle and Kai Bostock discuss three major immigration policy changes announced in June 2024. They break down President Biden's executive orders on asylum seekers, new work visa processes for DACA recipients, and a parole program for undocumented spouses of US citizens. (This episode was recorded before the Supreme Court decision on Chevron deference.) Guests: Andy Finkle, Senior Managing Attorney, EIG and Kai Bostock, Associate Attorney, EIG Host: Lauren Clarke Producer: Adam Belmar SHOW RESOURCE LINKS: White House FACT SHEET: President Biden Announces New Actions to Keep Families TogetherWhite House FACT SHEET: President Biden Announces New Actions to Secure the Border

In this episode of the Immigration Nerds podcast, we hear the inspiring story of two expats from Somaliland who are transforming lives through education. Asha Farah, founder of the Burao Academy of Science & Technology, and Yasmin Mirreh, EIG Senior Attorney and volunteer and advocate, talk about how STEM education has become a beacon of hope for Somali youth. Learn how their transnational community leverages the power of immigration to create opportunities and foster global connections. Be inspired by the academy's remarkable achievements in STEM education and its impact on students, families, and the future of Somaliland. Don't miss this powerful episode that celebrates the potential of education and the resilience of the human spirit. Tune in to Immigration Nerds now! HOST: Lauren Clarke GUESTS: Yasmin Mirreh, Senior Attorney, International Practice, EIG; Asha Farah, Co-Founder, Burao Academy of Science and Technology located in Somaliland NEWS NERD: Rob Taylor PRODUCER: Adam Belmar SHOW RESOURCE LINKS: Burao Academy of Science and Technology located in SomalilandSomaliland Professionals Association of America (SLPA)

In this powerful and insightful episode of the Immigration Nerds podcast, host Lauren Clarke sits down with Dr. Ken Fong, host of the Asian America Podcast, to celebrate Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month. Dr. Fong shares his own family's compelling immigration story, highlighting his grandfather's journey to America, the challenges faced by Chinese immigrants during the Chinese Exclusion Act era, and his father's brave service in World War II. The conversation delves into the importance of storytelling in showcasing the diverse experiences and contributions of Asian Americans, which are often underrepresented in mainstream media and history. This episode serves as a powerful reminder of the significance of AANHPI Heritage Month and the ongoing need to celebrate and uplift the stories of this vibrant and essential part of the American fabric. Lauren is also joined by Alejandra Zapatero, partner at Erickson Immigration Group, for a timely discussion on essential summer travel tips. From passport validity to visa appointment wait times and required documents, you’ll hear all the crucial advice to help ensure a smooth international travel experience for immigrants when you hit play. GUEST: Dr. Ken Fong, Host, Asian America Podcast HOST: Lauren Clarke NEWS NERD: Alejandra Zapatero PRODUCER: Adam Belmar SHOW RESOURCE LINKS: Asian America: The Ken Fong Podcast Asian & Pacific American Heritage Month

This new episode of the Immigration Nerds podcast invites listeners to pull up a chair as we talk about how the immigrant journey and story is shared by the bowl full through our culinary heritage. Immigration Nerds host Lauren Clarke is joined by Dr. Julia Roncoroni and Dr. Delio Figueroa from the University of Denver, to talk about their new book, Cocina Libre: Immigrant Resistance Recipes. This is a cookbook that goes beyond recipes, to capture time and place and amplify the voices of immigrants. GUESTS: Dr. Julia Roncoroni & Dr. Delio Figueroa HOST: Lauren Clarke NEWS NERD: Rob Taylor PRODUCER: Adam Belmar SHOW RESOURCE LINKS: Cocina Libre: Immigrant Resistance Recipes Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition