Immigration Nerds

In this powerful episode of Immigration Nerds, host Lauren Clarke speaks with Hendrika de Vries, author of the new book "Open Turns," about her remarkable journey from surviving World War II in occupied Amsterdam to becoming a champion swimmer and finding her identity as a 13-year-old immigrant in 1950s Australia.

At 87, Henny shares how her family's decision to immigrate was driven by post-war economic hardship in the Netherlands, and how she initially experienced immigration as a loss of freedom and identity—arriving at an immigrant camp where new arrivals were told they would only ever be "new Australians," never simply Australians.

Swimming became Henny's pathway to belonging, offering both athletic achievement and a space where she could transcend the immigrant label. She discusses the complex family dynamics that emerged when she learned English while her mother did not, suddenly becoming her mother's interpreter despite their traditional roles. Throughout, Henny emphasizes themes of resilience, gratitude, and the importance of sharing immigrant stories as acts of resistance against both victimization and demonization.

Drawing on her later career as a family therapist, Henny reflects on how major life turning points—what she calls "open turns"—reveal our true character and strength, making immigrant experiences valuable lessons for navigating all of life's challenges.

Resource Links: Open Turns: From Dutch Girl to New Australian

Guest: Hendrika de Vries, Author of "Open Turns: From Dutch Girl to New Australian"

Host: Lauren Clarke

News Nerd: Rob Taylor

Producer: Adam Belmar

Interview Record: Wednesday, 9/17/25 @ 3:00 PM ET

NEWS NERD Record: 10/13/25 @ 10 AM ET

In this special episode of the Immigration Nerds Podcast, we break down what President Trump's H-1B proclamation means for employers and employees. Host Lauren Clarke and EIG partner Alejandra Zapatero explain who's actually affected, whether current H-1B holders can travel safely, and what employers should do now. We address the looming legal challenges, the uncertain future of the H-1B lottery, and provide practical guidance for F-1 students and startups navigating tough choices. If you're navigating the H-1B visa right now, this episode tells you what you need to know.

GUESTS: Alejandra Zapatero, EIG PARTNER

HOST: Lauren Clarke

PRODUCER: Adam Belmar

INTERVIEW RECORD: Monday, September 29, 2025 @ 4:30 PM ET

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 Clarke

NEWS NERD: Rob Taylor

PRODUCER: Adam Belmar

Resource Links:

• Commission on Seamless and Secure Travel Report
• FIFA 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 Law

HOST: Lauren Clarke

NEWS NERD: Rob Taylor

PRODUCER: Adam Belmar

Resource Links:

• Trump DHS Proposes Limiting Foreign Students to Four Years in US | Bloomberg Law, Reporter Andrew Kreighbaum, Aug. 27, 2025
• H-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 Center

Guest:  Cecilia Esterline, Senior Immigration Policy Analyst, Niskanen Center

Host: Lauren Clarke

News 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 Partner

HOST: Lauren Clarke, EIG Senior Managing Attorney

PRODUCER: 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 Partner

HOST: 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 Citizen

HOST: Lauren Clarke

NEWS NERD: Rob Taylor

PRODUCER: Adam Belmar

Show 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 Winner

Deborah Chang, Chef, Recipe Developer, Attorney

HOST: LAUREN CLARKE

NEWS NERD: ROB TAYLOR

PRODUCER: ADAM BELMAR

Show Links:

Asian Heritage Chefs in White House History: Cooking to the President’s Taste