Immigration Nerds

"The Day I Realized I Was An Immigrant"

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 Australian [https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Open-Turns/Hendrika-de-Vries/9781647429508] Guest: Hendrika de Vries, Author of "Open Turns: From Dutch Girl to New Australian [https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Open-Turns/Hendrika-de-Vries/9781647429508]" Host: Lauren Clarke News Nerd: Rob Taylor Producer: Adam Belmar Interview Record: Wednesday, 9/17/25 @ 3:00 PM ET NEWS NERD Record: 10/13/25 @ 10 AM ET

H-1B Proclamation & Changes Special Report

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 PARTNER HOST: Lauren Clarke PRODUCER: Adam Belmar INTERVIEW RECORD: Monday, September 29, 2025 @ 4:30 PM ET

The Beautiful Game Meets Border Security: FIFA World Cup 2026

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 [https://www.ustravel.org/profile/ryan-propis] HOST: Lauren Clarke NEWS NERD: Rob Taylor PRODUCER: Adam Belmar Resource Links: * Commission on Seamless and Secure Travel Report [https://www.ustravel.org/sites/default/files/2025-02/Commission-on-Seamless-and-Secure-Travel-Report.pdf] * FIFA World Cup 26: Host countries, cities, dates, teams, tickets, qualifying and more [https://www.fifa.com/EN/TOURNAMENTS/MENS/WORLDCUP/CANADAMEXICOUSA2026/ARTICLES/FIFA-WORLD-CUP-2026-HOSTS-CITIES-DATES-USA-MEXICO-CANADA]

How New H-1B Rules Could Reshape Foreign Worker Entry to the US

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 Law HOST: Lauren Clarke NEWS NERD: Rob Taylor PRODUCER: Adam Belmar Resource Links: * Trump DHS Proposes Limiting Foreign Students to Four Years in US [https://news.bloomberglaw.com/daily-labor-report/dhs-proposal-would-limit-foreign-students-to-fixed-time-in-us] | Bloomberg Law, Reporter Andrew Kreighbaum, Aug. 27, 2025 * H-1B Worker Weighted Selection Rule Clears White House Review [https://news.bloomberglaw.com/daily-labor-report/h-1b-worker-weighted-selection-rule-clears-white-house-review] | Bloomberg Law, Reporter Andrew Kreighbaum, Aug. 11, 2025

USCIS By The Numbers When Policy Meets Administrative Reality

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 Center [https://www.niskanencenter.org/author/cesterline/] Guest:  Cecilia Esterline, Senior Immigration Policy Analyst, Niskanen Center Host: Lauren Clarke News Nerd: Rob Taylor Producer: Adam Belmar