Immigration Nerds

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

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 Scidmore
• Washington D.C.'s Cherry Blossom Festival
• Eliza 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