Immigration Nerds

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 Bureau 
• Bloomberg: 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 lives, Special to the AFRO July 27, 2023, By Nils Kinuani
• US extends temporary protected status for Ukraine, Sudan nationals
• USCIS: 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