Immigration Nerds

End of the H-1B Lottery: Understanding Wage-Weighted Selection

The H-1B program just underwent its most significant structural change in decades. On December 29, 2025, DHS issued a final rule replacing the random H-1B lottery with a wage-weighted selection system—and it takes effect February 27, just before the fiscal year 2027 cap registration season opens in March. Immigration Nerds host Lauren Clarke sits down with EIG's newest partner Naïanka Rigaud to break down exactly how this weighted system works. They explore the complex legal analysis behind wage level determinations, what the 48% decrease in selection probability means for Level 1 registrants versus the 107% increase for Level 4 candidates, and why simply earning a high salary doesn't guarantee a higher wage level classification. From geographic wage disparities to potential compliance pitfalls, Lauren and Naïanka cover what employers and foreign workers need to understand right now—including the possibility that registration infrastructure might not be ready, potentially reverting to full petition submissions. This is essential listening for anyone navigating H-1B cap season 2027. GUEST: Naïanka Rigaud, EIG Partner HOST: Lauren Clarke NEWS NERD: Rob Taylor PRODUCER: Adam Belmar

Inspiring Immigration Stories Of 2025

Immigration isn't just about headlines—it's about Nobel laureates, World Series MVPs, and medical breakthroughs that save lives. In this year’s end special, Lauren Clarke welcomes back Forbes senior contributor Stuart Anderson to preview his annual "Most Inspiring Immigration Stories" article. From Omar Yagi's journey from refugee to Nobel Prize winner in chemistry, to Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto's heroic World Series performance, to a groundbreaking cancer treatment discovered by a PhD student who annoyed her lab mates—these stories reveal the extraordinary contributions immigrants make when America opens its doors. Plus, the remarkable legacy of Charles Watts, who sponsored over 300 Vietnamese refugees. What do these diverse stories tell us about innovation, opportunity, and America itself? SHOW RESOURCE LINKS: The Most Inspiring Immigration Stories Of 2025: https://www.forbes.com/sites/stuartanderson/ [https://www.forbes.com/sites/stuartanderson/] https://nfap.com/about-us/biographies/ GUEST: Stuart Anderson [https://nfap.com/about-us/biographies/]/Executive Director, National Foundation for American Policy [https://nfap.com/about-us/biographies/], Senior Contributor to Forbes HOST: Lauren Clarke PRODUCER: Adam Belmar

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 Strategist HOST: Lauren Clarke NEWS NERD: Rob Taylor PRODUCER: Adam Belmar  Resource Links: https://www.sthankistrategies.com/ [https://www.sthankistrategies.com/]

Beyond Borders: Why Cultural Exchange Still Matters

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 Council HOST: Lauren Clarke NEWS NERD: Rob Taylor PRODUCER: Adam Belmar Resource Links: American Immigration Council [https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/blog/compliance-j1-exchange-visitor-program-is-overseen-and-enforced/] US Exchange Visitor Visa [https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/study/exchange.html]

Perfect Storm: H-2A Visas, Government Shutdown, and the Fight to Feed America

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 Murtha HOST: Lauren Clarke NEWS NERD: Rob Taylor PRODUCER: Adam Belmar Resource 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-trump [https://news.bloomberglaw.com/daily-labor-report/agricultural-employers-rack-up-seasonal-worker-wins-under-trump] USCIS: H-2A Temporary Agricultural Workers: https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/temporary-workers/h-2a-temporary-agricultural-workers [https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/temporary-workers/h-2a-temporary-agricultural-workers]