Immigration Nerds

Federal judges in Georgia and Texas challenge the process of anti-discrimination enforcement by questioning the constitutionality of administrative law judges' authority. In two separate cases involving SpaceX and Walmart, the courts weigh in on whether administrative law judges can render decisions without adequate oversight from the President or Attorney General. Join Immigration Nerds host, Lauren Clarke, and legal expert Cyrus D. Mehta as they explore the potential implications of these rulings on immigration enforcement and corporate accountability in the latest episode of the Immigration Nerds Podcast. GUEST: Cyrus Mehta, managing partner at Cyrus D. Mehta & Partners HOST: Lauren Clarke, EIG Senior Attorney NEWS NERD: Rob Taylor, EIG Partner and Shareholder PRODUCER: Adam Belmar SHOW RESOURCE LINKS: Walmart Prevails on Claims DOJ’s Judges Are Unconstitutional SpaceX Wins Anti-Migrant Bias Case | The Dallas Express SpaceX, Walmart Court Wins Imperil US Immigration Bias Cases | Bloomberg LAW

Join us for a gnarly ride forward the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. In this episode of the Immigration Nerds podcast, we keep it stateside an examine why the P-1A is the visa that lets professional, international athletes be everywhere they want to be. EIG attorney, skateboard enthusiast, and P-1 visa expert, Sebastian Zavala, joins host Lauren Clarke for a medal-worthy episode. GUEST: Sebastian Zavala, Associate Attorney, EIG LAW HOST: Lauren Clarke, EIG Senior Attorney NEWS NERD: Rob Taylor, EIG Partner & Shareholder PRODUCER: Adam Belmar SHOW RESOURCE LINKS: LA28 Olympic Games: Opening Ceremony July 14, 2028 P-1A Visas U.S. State Department Nonimmigrant Visa Resources

Could the rights of college athletes to monetize their personal brand, which consists of their name, image, and likeness potentially upend the F-1 visa class? Host Lauren Clarke is joined by Bloomberg Law Immigration reporter Andrew Kreighbaum for a deep dive on emerging risks to student visa eligibility. SHOW RESOURCE LINKS: Bloomberg Law reporting by Andrew Kreighbaum International Student-Athlete Participation GUEST: Andrew Kreighbaum, Immigration Reporter, Bloomberg Law HOST: Lauren Clarke NEWS NERD: Rob Taylor PRODUCER: Adam Belmar

In this Women's History Month episode of the Immigration Nerds podcast, we explore how immigration is not just about the movement of people, but also about the migration of ideas that enrich lives. Host, and EIG senior attorney, Lauren Clarke, is joined by Diana Parsell, author of the book, Eliza Scidmore: The Trailblazing Journalist Behind Washington's Cherry Trees, for an inspiring look at a beautiful symbol of cultural exchange and an enduring connection between the people of Japan and America. Guest: Diana P. Parsell, Author of the book, Eliza Scidmore: The Trailblazing Journalist Behind Washington's Cherry Trees News Nerd: Rob Taylor, EIG Partner & Shareholder Host: Lauren Clarke Producer: Adam Belmar SHOW RESOURCE LINKS: Eliza Scidmore: The Trailblazing Journalist Behind Washington's Cherry Trees by Diana P. Parsell (Author) More About Eliza ScidmoreWashington D.C.'s Cherry Blossom FestivalEliza Scidmore: Trailblazer bringing Japanese cherry trees to US | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News

In an interview recorded on Wednesday, February 21, 2024, Immigration Nerds host Lauren Clarke talked to David J. Bier, Associate Director of Immigration Studies at the Cato Institute about the state of America's legal immigration system. Mr. Bier recently testified at a hearing before the Committee on Oversight and Accountability in the United States House of Representatives. In that testimony and on this episode of the Immigration Nerds, Bier discusses the the parole sponsorship program, illegal encounters at the border, and his analysis of what legal immigration should look like in the United States. GUEST: David J. Bier, Associate Director of Immigration Studies | Cato Institute HOST: Lauren Clarke, Senior Attorney, Erickson Immigration Group NEWS NERD: Rob Taylor, Partner & Shareholder, Erickson Immigration Group PRODUCER: Adam Belmar SHOW RESOURCE LINKS: Immigration Hearing of the Committee on Oversight and Accountability for United States House of Representatives January 17, 2024

The H-1B Domestic Visa Renewal pilot program launched on January 29, 2024. The Immigration Nerds - senior attorney and host, Lauren Clarke and senior managing attorney consular affairs, Diane Holcombe-Geddens - talk about the program and share valuable insight and process notes as the program gets underway. GUEST: Diane Holcombe-Geddens, Senior Managing Attorney, Consular Affairs, EIG HOST: Lauren Clarke, Erickson Immigration Group, Senior Attorney NEWS: Rob Taylor, Erickson Immigration Group Partner PRODUCER: Adam Belmar SHOW RESOURCE LINKS: Domestic Renewal of H-1B Nonimmigrant Visas for Certain Applicants

Immigration Nerds host Lauren Clarke interviews César Cuauhtémoc García Hernández, author of the book, Welcome the Wretched: In Defense of the “Criminal Alien,” which explores the intersection of US immigration law and the criminal justice system. Also in this episode, news updates on USCIS policy guidance on student visas and fee increases for immigration services. GUEST: César Cuauhtémoc García Hernández / Author, Immigration Lawyer, Gregory H. Williams Chair in Civil Rights and Civil Liberties at the Ohio State University Moritz College of Law HOST: Lauren Clarke PRODUCER: Adam Belmar SHOW RESOURCE LINKS: Welcome the Wretched: In Defense of the “Criminal Alien,” by César Cuauhtémoc García Hernández

The Immigration Nerds host Lauren Clarke is joined by Stuart Anderson, executive director of the National Foundation for American Policy, to discuss his Forbes article, "The Most Inspiring Immigration Stories Of 2023." Hit play and learn about a teenage immigrant from Ethiopia who became one of America's top young scientists; a Mexican immigrant who became a successful entrepreneur; a Vietnamese refugee who won an Academy Award; and a group of Ukrainian refugees who helped Mississippi tornado victims. GUEST: Stuart Anderson, Executive Director, National Foundation for American Policy & Senior Contributor, Forbes HOST: Lauren Clarke PRODUCER: Adam Belmar SHOW RESOURCE LINKS: The Most Inspiring Immigration Stories Of 2023 By Stuart Anderson, Senior Contributor, Forbes

Guest: Dan Restrepo & Erin Sikorsky, Climate Migration Council Host: Lauren Clarke & Hiba Anver Producer: Adam Belmar On this episode of the Immigration Nerds Podcast we discuss the issue of climate migration. Host Lauren Clarke is joined by Erickson Immigration Group Partner Hiba Anver and featured guests Dan Restrepo and Erin Sikorsky from the Climate Migration Council. They discussed the expected displacement of over 200 million individuals worldwide by 2050 due to climate change, and the need for a human-centered approach to migration, focusing on protecting the rights of affected communities, and enabling safe, regular, and orderly migration pathways. SHOW RESOURCE LINKS: Climate Migration Council Climate Migration Explainer 4Ocean

On this episode of Immigration Nerd Podcast we discuss the US Green Card system backlog of 7.6 million individuals waiting for lawful permanent residency and a new report that predicts nearly $4 trillion in economic gains to the US economy over the next decade if the backlog was cleared. Bloomberg Law immigration reporter Andrew Kreighbaum joins host Lauren Clarke to discuss the financial and human cost of the backlog. GUEST: Andrew Kreighbaum, Immigration Reporter, Bloomberg Law HOST: Lauren Clarke PRODUCER: Adam Belmar SHOW RESOURCE LINKS: Bipartisan Policy Center Report: The Demographic Transition: An Overview of America’s Aging Population and Immigration’s Mediating Role (September 2023)American Community Survey Data – US Census BureauBloomberg: Green Card Backlog Costs Economy Trillions in Gains, Report Says

On this episode of Immigration Nerds we discuss the demographic crisis of the "graying of America" and the long-term economic challenges it poses to the United States. Host Lauren Clarks talks to Ben Gitis, Associate Director, Economy & Immigration, Bipartisan Policy Center, about their report highlighting the role of immigration in addressing this crisis. The report explains that the aging population and slowing population growth lead to a decline in labor force participation, which hampers economic growth. Immigration is seen as a vital tool to counteract these trends by welcoming workers who can fill open positions, contribute to productivity, and support programs like Social Security and Medicare. The report also mentions that other countries, such as Canada, have implemented aggressive immigration policies to address labor shortages, highlighting the urgency for the US to do the same. GUEST: Ben Gitis, Associate Director, Economy & Immigration, Bipartisan Policy Center HOST: Lauren Clarke PRODUCER: Adam Belmar SHOW RESOURCE LINKS: Bipartisan Policy Center Report: The Demographic Transition: An Overview of America’s Aging Population and Immigration’s Mediating Role (September 2023)American Community Survey Data – US Census Bureau

Hit play for the very latest news and analysis on DACA, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program. On Wednesday, September 13, 2023, a federal judge in Texas once again ruled that DACA is unlawful. What does this latest ruling mean for Dreamers right now? What is the Major QuestIons doctrine? And how might it impact the opinions of the US Supreme Court’s nine Justices? Host Lauren Clarke is joined by Jeremy McKinney, the 2022-2023 President of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and current member of AILA's Executive Committee and Board of Governors, for a conversation full of analysis and context. SHOW RESOURCE LINKS: National Hispanic Heritage Month Hispanic Heritage Month Events at Smithsonian Institution Library of Congress Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month GUEST: Jeremy McKinney / 2022-2023 President of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and current member of AILA's Executive Committee and Board of Governors HOST: Lauren Clarke, Senior Attorney, Erickson Immigration Group PRODUCER: Adam Belmar

Temporary protected status is back in the news. DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has recently extended TPS for Ukraine, Sudan, and other countries. On this episode of the Immigration Nerds, host Lauren Clarke has details on all the TPS headlines plus a powerful interview with Nils Kinuani, a human rights advocate leading a campaign for TPS for Congolese immigrants, asylum seekers, and refugees. NEWS NERD: Rob Taylor Host: Lauren Clarke Producer: Adam Belmar SHOW RESOURCE LINKS: OPINION: Temporary protected status could save Congolese livesUS extends temporary protected status for Ukraine, Sudan nationalsUSCIS: Temporary Protected Status

This August, Erickson Immigration Group hosted a very special Women in the Law event with Betsy Fisher, the U.S. Director of Talent Beyond Boundaries. Host Lauren Clarke and EIG partner Hiba Mona Anver share Hiba's previously recorded conversation with Betsy, as she shares insights from her career as a woman in the law, and highlights from her work with Talent Beyond Boundaries and their efforts to match refugees with U.S. employers in need of their skills and remove obstacles. SHOW RESOURCE LINKS: Talent Beyond Boundaries https://www.talentbeyondboundaries.org/ GUEST: Betsy Fisher / U.S. Director, Talent Beyond Boundaries NEWS NERD: Rob Taylor HOST: Lauren Clarke GUEST INTERVIEWER: Hiba Anver PRODUCER: Adam Belmar

We invite you to join us around the table to meet the immigrant chefs who celebrate their culture, share diverse cuisine, and nourish our communities. In our inaugural episode of this Immigration Nerds series, Food of Immigrants, host Lauren Clarke takes you to meet Chef Maziar Farivar and his brother Shahab Farivar, the owners of the Peacock Café in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington D.C. For 25 years, these two brothers from Iran have successfully bridged cultures rich in history with menu items that honor tradition while infusing locally sourced ingredients. Nerds, hit play to dig into taste and culture and meet the culinary diplomats that strengthen the fabric of America. SHOW RESOURCE LINKS: Peacock Café | Established in 1991, Peacock Cafe is a tradition in Georgetown life. Chef Maziar Farivar has been featured at the prestigious James Beard Foundation Dinner and is amongst the chefs across the nation to be selected for the US State Department’s American Culinary Corps. https://www.peacockcafe.com/ American Culinary Corps | In partnership with the James Beard Foundation, the Department of State has curated the American Culinary Corps, a network of more than 80 of the United States’ influential chefs and culinary professionals who participate in programs and events on behalf of the Department of State in the United States and abroad to foster cross-cultural exchange. https://www.state.gov/diplomatic-culinary-partnership/ Chef Maziar Farivar at the White House | On March 11, 2015, First Lady Michelle Obama welcomed all to a celebration of the Persian New Year, Nowruz, at the White House. Chef Maziar did the cooking! https://youtu.be/ZOQj50TUUiw

Immigration can be a gamble. For some the winning ticket comes via the United States Diversity Visa Lottery. Join Immigration Nerds host, and Erickson Immigration Group senior attorney, Lauren Clarke for a fascinating conversation with the author of the book, Dreamland - America's Immigration Lottery in an Age of Restriction, Carly Beth Goodman, Ph.D. Show Links: Buy the book: Dreamland Guest: Carly Goodman, PhD, Author of Dreamland: America's Immigration Lottery in an Age of Restriction News Nerd: Rob Taylor, EIG Partner Host: Lauren Clarke, EIG Senior Attorney Producer: Adam Belmar

The Immigration Nerds is back with the details on Canada’s aggressive new approach to attracting high skilled workers from right here in the United States. Immigration Nerds host and Erickson Immigration Group Senior Attorney Lauren Clarke talks to Justin Storch, Associate Attorney, International Practice, and Jesse Root, International Practice Project Manager, about Canada's big immigration announcements, and catches-up wth EIG partner Alejanda Zapatero on the latest immigration news worldwide. Hit play for the latest information and what it might mean for you or your employees. HOST: Lauren Clarke NEWS NERD: Alejandra Zapatero GUESTS: Justin Storch, Associate Attorney, International Practice, and Jesse Root, International Practice Project Manager PRODUCER: Adam Belmar

The summer travel season is here, and for foreign nationals, there are special considerations that must be taken in advance of any international travel. In this episode of the Immigration Nerds podcast, Erickson Immigration Group partner, Alejandra Zapatero joins host Lauren Clarke for a Nerds-worthy conversation about how to make sure your summer travel documents packing list is complete. HOST: Lauren Clarke NEWS NERD: Alejandra Zapatero PRODUCER: Adam Belmar SHOW LINKS: Immigrant Heritage Month: June is Immigrant Heritage Month. As of 2022, June was designated National Immigrant Heritage Month, recognizing the countless contributions that immigrants have had on our country. https://www.iamanimmigrant.com/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2023/05/31/a-proclamation-on-national-immigrant-heritage-month-2023/ https://www.state.gov/celebrating-national-immigrant-heritage-month/ https://www.pbsbooks.org/2023/06/13/immigrant-heritage-month/ MENTIONED IN THE SHOW: LinkedIn LIVE: Immigration Nerd Special Report: Compelling Circumstances EAD Wednesday, June 28th at 3:00 PM ET https://www.linkedin.com/company/erickson-immigration-group

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security declared July 31, 2023, as the end date for COVID-related I-9 verification flexibilities. They have also mandated that all I-9s verified using those temporary flexibilities must now be reverified in-person by August 30, 2023. Hit play for a detailed explanation of everything I-9 and how employers and employees can ensure compliance. HOST: Lauren Clarke PRODUCER: Adam Belmar SHOW LINKS: PRIDE MONTH: Library of Congress Research Guides: LGBTQ+ Legal Resources: A Beginner’s Guide I-9 RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE SHOW: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documentshttps://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-related-news/questions-and-answers-related-to-covid-19https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-examples-related-to-temporary-covid-19-policies

The Australian government is expanding pathways to permanent residency through a new visa program for highly skilled foreign workers. Hit play to get details on changes in the occupation lists, how it impacts visa eligibility, and the new role for labor market testing. Erickson Immigration Group senior manager for Australia, Martin Russell, joins host Lauren Clarke from Melbourne. Show Links: C-SPAN Congress's Chutzpah GUEST: Martin Russell, EIG Senior Manager, Australia NEWS NERD: Rob Taylor HOST: Lauren Clarke PRODUCER: Adam Belmar