2025: The Year That Reshaped Immigration Policy

2025 marked an unprecedented transformation in U.S. immigration policy. Executive orders attempting to end birthright citizenship, expand travel bans, and suspend refugee programs— along with the chaotic H-1B fee proclamation — fundamentally reshaped both legal and humanitarian immigration pathways. In this episode, immigration policy strategist Maunica Sthanki joins host Lauren Clarke to examine the executive action-heavy approach, constitutional challenges, and what 217+ executive orders reveal about presidential power limits. They explore the real-world impacts on refugees, employment-based immigration, and asylum seekers—and what polling data suggests about public perception shifting as restrictive policies play out. Plus, Rob Taylor covers breaking news on Haiti TPS, enhanced vetting requirements, and global immigration tightening trends as we head into 2026's midterm election year.GUEST: Maunica Sthanki, Immigration Policy and Advocacy StrategistHOST: Lauren ClarkeNEWS NERD: Rob TaylorPRODUCER: Adam Belmar Resource Links: https://www.sthankistrategies.com/

Beyond the headlines about the workforce and the economy lies a visa category designed for something deeper: human connection. In this episode, Immigration Nerds host Lauren Clarke explores the J-1 Cultural Exchange Program with Lisa Murray, Director of the Exchange Program at the American Immigration Council. From camp counselors to research scholars, the J-1 brings thousands of cultural ambassadors to American communities each year. These visitors are not in the US to fill permanent jobs, but to build bridges of understanding that transcend borders. Lisa shares her own teenage exchange experience and explains why these temporary programs matter now more than ever, challenging misconceptions while revealing how cultural diplomacy creates ripple effects that strengthen communities and international relationships for decades to come. GUEST:  Lisa Murray, Director, Exchange Program | American Immigration CouncilHOST: Lauren ClarkeNEWS NERD: Rob TaylorPRODUCER: Adam BelmarResource Links:American Immigration CouncilUS Exchange Visitor Visa

American farms are in crisis. The federal government shutdown froze H-2A visa processing right when farmers need to prepare for planting season. At the same time, major changes to how farm worker wages are calculated are making everything more complicated.Immigration Nerds host Lauren Clarke talks with immigration attorney and agricultural labor expert L.J. D'Arrigo about what's happening to the farms that grow our food. As immigration enforcement ramps up and legal pathways get more complex, find out what's really at stake for American agriculture and the workers who feed our nation.GUEST: L.J. D’Arrigo, Partner, Harris Beach MurthaHOST: Lauren ClarkeNEWS NERD: Rob TaylorPRODUCER: Adam BelmarResource Links:Bloomberg: Agricultural Employers Rack Up Seasonal Worker Wins Under Trump: https://news.bloomberglaw.com/daily-labor-report/agricultural-employers-rack-up-seasonal-worker-wins-under-trumpUSCIS: H-2A Temporary Agricultural Workers: https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/temporary-workers/h-2a-temporary-agricultural-workers

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 AustralianGuest: Hendrika de Vries, Author of "Open Turns: From Dutch Girl to New Australian"Host: Lauren ClarkeNews Nerd: Rob TaylorProducer: Adam BelmarInterview Record: Wednesday, 9/17/25 @ 3:00 PM ETNEWS 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 PARTNERHOST: Lauren ClarkePRODUCER: Adam BelmarINTERVIEW 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 ClarkeNEWS NERD: Rob TaylorPRODUCER: Adam BelmarResource Links:Commission on Seamless and Secure Travel ReportFIFA 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 LawHOST: Lauren ClarkeNEWS NERD: Rob TaylorPRODUCER: Adam BelmarResource Links:Trump DHS Proposes Limiting Foreign Students to Four Years in US | Bloomberg Law, Reporter Andrew Kreighbaum, Aug. 27, 2025H-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 CenterGuest:  Cecilia Esterline, Senior Immigration Policy Analyst, Niskanen CenterHost: Lauren ClarkeNews 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 PartnerHOST: Lauren Clarke, EIG Senior Managing AttorneyPRODUCER: 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 PartnerHOST: Lauren Clarke, EIG Senior Managing Attorney PRODUCER: Adam Belmar