From Ecuador to the UFC: ChIto Vera on Family, Immigration & the Immigrant Mentality

From Ecuador to the UFC: ChIto Vera on Family, Immigration & the Immigrant Mentality

In Episode 14 of the ImmiGreat Podcast, Richard Wilner sits down with Chito Vera, UFC Bantamweight contender, ranked in the UFC's top 10, and the fighter with the most finishes in UFC Bantamweight history. But this conversation isn't about the highlights or the submissions. It's about the story behind the fighter. Chito left Ecuador not because of a dream to become a professional athlete, but because his daughter needed a doctor who was in Los Angeles. What followed was one of the most honest and moving accounts of the immigrant experience you'll hear: sacrifice, uncertainty, longing, and ultimately, a family built in a new country the right way. In this episode, Chito and Richard discuss: 👉 Growing up in Chone, Ecuador 👉 Becoming a young father and husband, and the moment everything changed with his daughter Anna's diagnosis of Moebius Syndrome 👉 Leaving his family behind in Ecuador to train in the U.S. and the doubt that came with those lonely weekends 👉 How the UFC's P-1 athlete visa works 👉 Why his team made the switch from a P-1 to an O-1 visa for extraordinary ability  👉 Moving his entire family to California with $6,000, no social security, and no plan  👉 How he ultimately obtained his green card based on extraordinary ability as an athlete 👉 What permanent residency has meant for his family, his daughter's education and medical care, and his peace of mind 👉 The immigrant mentality  👉 Walking Paris Fashion Week, Stone Island campaigns, and how one organic relationship led to another 👉 What becoming a U.S. citizen would mean to him and why he's working toward it Chito's story is a reminder that doing things the right way is rarely the easiest way. But it is the way that lasts. Have immigration questions? Contact Wilner & O'Reilly: Website: www.wilneroreilly.com/contact Blog: www.wilneroreilly.com/blog The ImmiGreat Podcast, hosted by Richard Wilner, brings you real conversations about the real immigration experience from the legal process to the human story behind it. Each episode is designed to inform, inspire, and remind you that you are not alone in this journey.

Should You Apply for U.S. Citizenship Right Now?

In Episode 13 of the ImmiGreat Podcast, Richard Wilner addresses one of the most common questions he receives right now: Is this the right time to apply for U.S. citizenship?  As a Founding Shareholder of Wilner & O'Reilly and a Board-Certified Specialist in Immigration and Nationality Law, Richard's answer is clear — if you're eligible, the answer is an absolute yes. In this episode, Richard walks through everything you need to know about the naturalization process, including: • Who qualifies for naturalization and when you can apply • The 5-year and 3-year paths to citizenship (including the 90-day early filing rule) • Physical presence requirements and what "continuous residence" actually means • Good moral character, English, and civics exam requirements • Step-by-step breakdown of the N-400 application process • What happens at your USCIS interview — and how to prepare • The Oath of Allegiance ceremony and what it means to walk out a U.S. citizen If you've built your life in the United States, met every requirement this country has asked of you, and earned the right to apply... don't let fear or uncertainty hold you back. Citizenship is the most powerful legal protection available to you as a permanent resident, and this episode explains exactly how to get there. Contact Wilner & O'Reilly: https://www.wilneroreilly.com/contact/ For more insights, visit our Immigration Blog: https://www.wilneroreilly.com/blog The ImmiGreat Podcast, hosted by Richard Wilner, provides practical, real-world insight into complex immigration topics affecting individuals, families, and employers. Each episode is designed to help listeners better understand their options and next steps.

USCIS Is Delaying Your Application | Here's Why & What To Do

On April 27, 2026, something significant happened that is impacting immigration applications across the country; and if you have a pending case, this is essential listening. In this episode, Richard Wilner, Board Certified by the State Bar of California as a Specialist in Immigration and Nationality Law and Founding Shareholder of Wilner & O'Reilly, breaks down the new USCIS vetting procedures tied to expanded FBI criminal database access and what it means for your pending application. Key Topics Covered in This Episode: * What Changed on April 27, 2026: Why immigration lawyers across the country began receiving notifications about widespread adjudication delays. * The FBI Database Connection: How Executive Order 12385 expanded the FBI's criminal history sharing with the Department of Homeland Security and what that means for your case. * Who Is Affected: Naturalization, adjustment of status, and asylum applicants and the one exception to the new fingerprint re-vetting requirement. * Your Rights Under the Law: How the Administrative Procedures Act protects applicants from unreasonable government delays. * The Writ of Mandamus: The federal legal tool that can compel the government to act on your case and what it really takes to fight it today. A delay is not a denial. But waiting indefinitely is not your only option. As Richard Wilner explains, if your case is clean and the delay is unreasonable, you have rights and you have options. For more information or to discuss your case, visit us at www.wilneroreilly.com.

From Brazil to Huntington Beach: How MMA Legend Rafael Cordeiro Built King's MMA

In Episode 11 of the ImmiGreat Podcast, Richard Wilner sits down with Master Rafael Cordeiro — founder of King's MMA in Huntington Beach, three-time Brazilian Muay Thai champion, black belt in both Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and the coach behind some of the biggest names in MMA, including Mike Tyson. But this episode isn't just about fighting. It's about what it really takes to build a life in America the right way. Rafael came to the United States on an O-1 visa, a classification reserved for individuals of extraordinary ability, and went on to complete one of the most demanding immigration pathways: the EB-1A Extraordinary Ability Green Card petition. Years later, he and his entire family became United States citizens. In this conversation, Rafael and Richard discuss: * Growing up in Curitiba, Brazil, and training at the legendary Chute Boxe gym  * Traveling to Japan 52 times to compete in PRIDE FC  * The moment he fell in love with Huntington Beach and decided to bet everything on America  * How the O-1 visa works for athletes and coaches  * Starting from zero in the U.S. — no credit, no social security, no students  * Building King's MMA from the ground up during the 2008 financial crisis * Training world champions, including Fabricio Werdum, Chris Cyborg, and Mike Tyson  * What becoming a U.S. citizen meant to him and his family *  His advice for anyone dreaming of building a life in America Rafael's story is a powerful reminder that the American dream is still real, but it requires vision, discipline, and the courage to follow the process, even when it's hard. 🔗 Follow Rafael Cordeiro [https://www.instagram.com/kingsmma_hb/]& King's MMA [https://www.instagram.com/kingsmmaacademy/]!  Have immigration questions? Contact us!  https://www.wilneroreilly.com/contact/ [https://www.wilneroreilly.com/contact/]  The ImmiGreat Podcast, hosted by Richard Wilner, provides practical, real-world insight into complex immigration topics affecting individuals, families, and employers. Each episode is designed to help listeners better understand their options and next steps.

How to Get a Green Card Through Employment

Think you understand employment-based immigration? In this episode, Richard Wilner, Board Certified by the State Bar of California as a Specialist in Immigration and Nationality Law and Founding Shareholder of Wilner & O'Reilly, breaks down all five employment-based green card categories (EB-1 through EB-5), including who qualifies, what the PERM/labor certification process is, and how long each path actually takes. You’ll learn:  ➡️ EB-1: Extraordinary ability, outstanding researchers, and multinational executives ➡️ EB-2: Exceptional ability and the National Interest Waiver (NIW) ➡️ EB-3: Skilled and unskilled workers ➡️ EB-4: The "catch-all" category (special immigrants, Afghan/Iraqi nationals, and more) ➡️ EB-5: Investor visas — direct investment vs. regional centers ➡️ The Gold Card: What is it and could it replace EB-5? Whether you're a foreign national navigating the system or an employer sponsoring workers this episode gives you the real picture. Learn more at www.wilneroreilly.com