Épisodes

  • Trump’s Immigration Executive Orders Explained

    Trump’s Immigration Executive Orders Explained
    Jan 30 2025
    Immigration was a defining issue in Donald Trump’s presidential campaign, and within his first week in office, he took swift action to fulfill his promises. In this week’s episode of Parsing Immigration Policy podcast, Center for Immigration Studies experts analyze the nine immigration-related Executive Orders issued in his first week in office, shaping the direction of U.S. immigration policy.

    Andrew Arthur, Fellow in Law and Policy, and Elizabeth Jacobs, Director of Regulatory Affairs and Policy, provide an in-depth breakdown and analysis of these executive actions and their broader impact on immigration policy.

    As the administration continues to roll out new immigration policies, the Center for Immigration Studies will provide ongoing expert analysis and updates.HostMark Krikorian is the Executive Director of the Center for Immigration Studies.

    Guests

    Andrew Arthur is a Fellow in Law and Policy at the Center for Immigration Studies.

    Elizabeth Jacobs is the Director of Regulatory Affairs and Policy at the Center for Immigration Studies.

    Related

    Bullet summaries of the nine executive orders

    Additional CIS research and analysis on these policies

    Intro Montage

    Voices in the opening montage:
    • Sen. Barack Obama at a 2005 press conference.
    • Sen. John McCain in a 2010 election ad.
    • President Lyndon Johnson, upon signing the 1965 Immigration Act.
    • Booker T. Washington, reading in 1908 from his 1895 Atlanta Exposition speech.
    • Laraine Newman as a "Conehead" on SNL in 1977.
    • Hillary Clinton in a 2003 radio interview.
    • Cesar Chavez in a 1974 interview.
    • House Speaker Nancy Pelosi speaking to reporters in 2019.
    • Prof. George Borjas in a 2016 C-SPAN appearance.
    • Sen. Jeff Sessions in 2008 comments on the Senate floor.
    • Charlton Heston in "Planet of the Apes".
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    47 min
  • The Role of Immigration Detention and Why It is Needed

    The Role of Immigration Detention and Why It is Needed
    Jan 23 2025
    As President Donald Trump and Border Czar Tom Homan begin their promised deportations, the latest episode of Parsing Immigration Policy discusses immigration detention - a key element in immigration enforcement. Andrew Arthur, the Center’s Fellow in Law and Policy and a former immigration judge, details the purpose, history, and availability of immigration detention resources.

    Key Points:
    • Civil, Not Criminal: Immigration detention is not a punishment but is instead a safeguard to ensure that aliens appear in court and for removal.
    • Historical Context: Detention provisions trace back to at least the Immigration Act of 1903, steadily expanding from inadmissible aliens being detained at the ports of entry to include those entering illegally as well as for criminal aliens.
    • Growing Need: With over 1.4 million individuals awaiting removal and a 34% no-show rate in immigration court, expanding detention capacity will become crucial to President Trump’s immigration-enforcement efforts.
    • Detention Options: ICE facilities, private contractors, and state prisons and county jails can all house detainees. The episode examines Biden-era restrictions aimed at restricting detention space.
    • Alternative Space: From utilizing military bases to reinstituting “Remain in Mexico” policies, the new administration should not have a problem finding adequate detention space.
    Host

    Mark Krikorian is the Executive Director of the Center for Immigration Studies.

    Guest

    Andrew Arthur is a Fellow in Law and Policy at the Center for Immigration Studies.

    Related

    GAO: One-Third of Immigration Court Aliens are No-Shows

    U.S. Senate Testimony: Remain in Mexico

    Intro Montage

    Voices in the opening montage:
    • Sen. Barack Obama at a 2005 press conference.
    • Sen. John McCain in a 2010 election ad.
    • President Lyndon Johnson, upon signing the 1965 Immigration Act.
    • Booker T. Washington, reading in 1908 from his 1895 Atlanta Exposition speech.
    • Laraine Newman as a "Conehead" on SNL in 1977.
    • Hillary Clinton in a 2003 radio interview.
    • Cesar Chavez in a 1974 interview.
    • House Speaker Nancy Pelosi speaking to reporters in 2019.
    • Prof. George Borjas in a 2016 C-SPAN appearance.
    • Sen. Jeff Sessions in 2008 comments on the Senate floor.
    • Charlton Heston in "Planet of the Apes".
    Voir plus Voir moins
    40 min
  • Panel Podcast: Beyond the Border - Why Legal Immigration Numbers Matter

    Panel Podcast: Beyond the Border - Why Legal Immigration Numbers Matter
    Jan 16 2025
    The Center for Immigration Studies (CIS) hosted a panel to discuss the importance of immigration numbers, legal and illegal, and their impact on wages, the labor market, and the future of the American workforce. This timely panel, "Beyond the Border: Why Legal Immigration Numbers Matter," builds on the social media debate sparked by Elon Musk’s recent comment highlighting the need for more legal immigration and seeks to heighten awareness of the impact of legal immigration – both high-skilled and low-skilled.

    Host

    Mark Krikorian is the Executive Director of the Center for Immigration Studies.

    Guests

    Introduction by: Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas)

    Steven Camarota, Director of Research, CIS (slides)

    Michael Lind, Fellow at New America and author of, among others, Hell to Pay: How the Suppression of Wages is Destroying America.

    Hal Salzman, Rutgers University, specializing in STEM labor markets and workforce development. (slides)

    Related

    Panel Press Release

    Panel Transcript

    Panel Video

    Steven Camarota's Presentation

    Hal Salzman's Presentation

    Oped by Hal Salzman: Two Simple Reforms Can Make H-1B Visas Great Again

    Intro Montage

    Voices in the opening montage:
    • Sen. Barack Obama at a 2005 press conference.
    • Sen. John McCain in a 2010 election ad.
    • President Lyndon Johnson, upon signing the 1965 Immigration Act.
    • Booker T. Washington, reading in 1908 from his 1895 Atlanta Exposition speech.
    • Laraine Newman as a "Conehead" on SNL in 1977.
    • Hillary Clinton in a 2003 radio interview.
    • Cesar Chavez in a 1974 interview.
    • House Speaker Nancy Pelosi speaking to reporters in 2019.
    • Prof. George Borjas in a 2016 C-SPAN appearance.
    • Sen. Jeff Sessions in 2008 comments on the Senate floor.
    • Charlton Heston in "Planet of the Apes".
    Voir plus Voir moins
    52 min
  • The First U.S. Terror Attack by Border-Crossing Islamist Extremist

    The First U.S. Terror Attack by Border-Crossing Islamist Extremist
    Jan 9 2025
    This week’s episode of Parsing Immigration Policy focuses on the Center’s new three-part investigative series, which documents the first known terror attack in the United States committed by an illegal border-crosser. The series, titled “First Blood: Anatomy of Border-Crosser’s Chicago Terror Attack”, uncovers the details of the October 26, 2024, attack in Chicago, highlights the lack of media and law enforcement coverage it received, and proposes solutions to address the national security and community safety risks stemming from the Biden border crisis.

    Mauritanian national Sidi Mohammad Abdallahi, who crossed the U.S.–Mexico border illegally in March 2023, targeted Orthodox Jewish residents, police officers, and paramedics in Chicago in an act of jihad supporting Hamas. Abdallahi’s subsequent suicide in custody prevented a trial and further obscured the case.

    This week’s guest and series author, Todd Bensman, traveled to Chicago to learn more about the alarming incident and to remind the country that a border-crossing terrorist, often dismissed as a hypothetical fantasy, has, in fact, struck on U.S. soil. Bensman conducted the first-ever interview with the initial target of the attack, an Orthodox Jewish man walking to attend worship services.

    “Abdallahi’s attack is a wake-up call for a nation grappling with border security and counterterrorism challenges,” said Bensman. “There is a need for further investigation into his activities, associates, and motivations. Key agencies, including the FBI and DHS, must clarify their roles and reveal how this incident was allowed to unfold on their watch.”

    In his closing commentary, host Mark Krikorian discusses the recent House of Representatives passage of the “Laken Riley Act”, which would expand the categories of aliens whom DHS is required to detain to include those convicted of, arrested for, charged with, or who have admitted to committing “any burglary, theft, larceny, or shoplifting offense”, as those terms are defined in the jurisdiction where those acts are committed.

    Host

    Mark Krikorian is the Executive Director of the Center for Immigration Studies.

    Guest

    Todd Bensman is the Senior National Security Fellow at the Center for Immigration Studies.Related

    Part 1: First Blood - Anatomy of Border-Crosser’s Chicago Terror Attack

    Part 2: Mystery Terrorist - The Unknown Life and Violent Times of Illegal Border-Crosser Sidi Mohammed Abdallahi

    Part 3: The Remedies - How to Lower the Risk of New Terror Strikes by Border-Crossing Islamist Extremists

    Intro Montage

    Voices in the opening montage:
    • Sen. Barack Obama at a 2005 press conference.
    • Sen. John McCain in a 2010 election ad.
    • President Lyndon Johnson, upon signing the 1965 Immigration Act.
    • Booker T. Washington, reading in 1908 from his 1895 Atlanta Exposition speech.
    • Laraine Newman as a "Conehead" on SNL in 1977.
    • Hillary Clinton in a 2003 radio interview.
    • Cesar Chavez in a 1974 interview.
    • House Speaker Nancy Pelosi speaking to reporters in 2019.
    • Prof. George Borjas in a 2016 C-SPAN appearance.
    • Sen. Jeff Sessions in 2008 comments on the Senate floor.
    • Charlton Heston in "Planet of the Apes".
    Voir plus Voir moins
    39 min
  • Year-End Roundup Podcast: Immigration in 2024

    Year-End Roundup Podcast: Immigration in 2024
    Jan 2 2025
    In this year-end episode of Parsing Immigration Policy, experts from the Center for Immigration Studies discuss some of the defining immigration issues of 2024. From record-breaking numbers at the border to the administration’s controversial policies and their impacts, Mark Krikorian, the Center’s executive director, and analysts Andrew Arthur and Jessica Vaughan examine the events that shaped immigration policy this past year.

    Looking ahead, the panel explores what 2025 may hold:
    • net-negative illegal immigration
    • increased state legislation to restore integrity to the immigration system
    • a push for amnesty for many here illegally
    • potential national security impact of Biden policies
    • increase in legal immigration which will cause fireworks amongst the Trump coalition
    With immigration positioned to remain at the forefront of national discourse, this discussion offers valuable context for the road ahead.

    Host

    Mark Krikorian is the Executive Director of the Center for Immigration Studies.

    Guests

    Jessica Vaughan is the Director of Policy Studies at the Center for Immigration Studies.

    Andrew Arthur is the Resident Fellow in Law and Policy at the Center for Immigration Studies.

    Intro Montage

    Voices in the opening montage:
    • Sen. Barack Obama at a 2005 press conference.
    • Sen. John McCain in a 2010 election ad.
    • President Lyndon Johnson, upon signing the 1965 Immigration Act.
    • Booker T. Washington, reading in 1908 from his 1895 Atlanta Exposition speech.
    • Laraine Newman as a "Conehead" on SNL in 1977.
    • Hillary Clinton in a 2003 radio interview.
    • Cesar Chavez in a 1974 interview.
    • House Speaker Nancy Pelosi speaking to reporters in 2019.
    • Prof. George Borjas in a 2016 C-SPAN appearance.
    • Sen. Jeff Sessions in 2008 comments on the Senate floor.
    • Charlton Heston in "Planet of the Apes".
    Voir plus Voir moins
    37 min
  • Bonus Episode: H-1B Kerfuffle

    Bonus Episode: H-1B Kerfuffle
    Dec 30 2024
    Mark Krikorian, Executive Director of the Center for Immigration Studies, addresses a recent debate on legal immigration, particularly H-1B visas, sparked on Twitter during the holiday season. The social media discussion highlighted differences between tech industry leaders who advocate for more high-skilled immigration and the President Trump’s voter base, who seek reductions in legal immigration. While illegal immigration has dominated recent debates, Krikorian emphasized the importance of addressing legal immigration reform.

    He outlines two potential solutions to the disagreement, both detailed in his Compact Magazine article. First, reforming the H-1B visa program by prioritizing applicants based on salary, ensuring that only the most valuable candidates receive visas. Second, reallocating visas from family-based and diversity lottery categories to skills-based categories, potentially reducing overall immigration while increasing the skill level of entrants.

    A panel discussion, “Beyond the Border: Why Legal Immigration Numbers Matter,” will be held on January 14, 2025, at the National Press Club in D.C. to discuss both high-skilled and low-skilled visa programs. The event will be live-streamed for those unable to attend in person.
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    6 min
  • Regulations, Litigation, and the Post-Chevron Era: Trump’s Likely Immigration Priorities

    Regulations, Litigation, and the Post-Chevron Era: Trump’s Likely Immigration Priorities
    Dec 19 2024
    This week’s episode of Parsing Immigration Policy highlights the pivotal role regulations and litigation will play in shaping U.S. immigration policy under the Trump administration. The episode features Elizabeth Jacobs, the Center’s Director of Regulatory Affairs and Policy, who talks through the top immigration regulatory moves and legal battles likely to occur during the Trump administration.

    Jacobs in conversation with podcast host Mark Krikorian, the Center’s executive director, describes how the Supreme Court’s recent decision overturning Chevron deference — once a cornerstone of judicial deference to agency interpretations — has reshaped the legal terrain. This landmark shift gives courts greater authority to scrutinize agency actions, making many Trump-era policies more likely to withstand judicial challenges.

    Key topics discussed include:
    • Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA): The legal challenges surrounding this long-contested program, created through regulation, and its alignment with congressional intent.
    • Optional Practical Training (OPT): How regulatory changes could curtail this massive guestworker program, created by regulation, that permits foreign nationals to work on student visas despite having completed their studies.
    • Public Charge Rule: The potential return of Trump’s 2019 definition to replace Clinton’s definition created by memorandum that Biden returned to without public comment.
    • Temporary Protected Status (TPS): The implications of Biden’s expansions of the protection from removal afforded under TPS and how they may face rollbacks. The first battle could start in March when TPS for aliens from El Salvador will be up for renewal.
    • National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA): The likelihood of the new administration challenging the 14 finalized rules impacting immigration enforcement — enacted under Biden and deemed exempt from NEPA requirements. A court ruling recently disagreed.
    • Work Authorization Policies: Reforms targeting employment permits, including H-1B visa spousal work authorizations, which include fewer restrictions than the H-1B visa itself.
    As Krikorian notes, “The regulatory and legal battleground will be ground zero for immigration policy starting on January 20.”

    Host

    Mark Krikorian is the Executive Director of the Center for Immigration Studies.

    Guest

    Elizabeth Jacobs is the Director of Regulatory Affairs at the Center for Immigration Studies.

    Related

    Court Rejects Challenge to Work Permits for H1-B Spouses

    USCIS Auto-Extends Work Permits for Many TPS Beneficiaries

    This Week’s Other Quasi-Amnesty: Biden Orders Expansion of Work Visa Options for DACAs

    Intro Montage

    Voices in the opening montage:
    • Sen. Barack Obama at a 2005 press conference.
    • Sen. John McCain in a 2010 election ad.
    • President Lyndon Johnson, upon signing the 1965 Immigration Act.
    • Booker T. Washington, reading in 1908 from his 1895 Atlanta Exposition speech.
    • Laraine Newman as a "Conehead" on SNL in 1977.
    • Hillary Clinton in a 2003 radio interview.
    • Cesar Chavez in a 1974 interview.
    • House Speaker Nancy Pelosi speaking to reporters in 2019.
    • Prof. George Borjas in a 2016 C-SPAN appearance.
    • Sen. Jeff Sessions in 2008 comments on the Senate floor.
    • Charlton Heston in "Planet of the Apes".
    Voir plus Voir moins
    32 min
  • Hispanic Voting Trends: A prioritization of the American identity over background identities

    Hispanic Voting Trends: A prioritization of the American identity over background identities
    Dec 12 2024
    Hispanic voters, once considered a Democratic stronghold, are now a pivotal swing demographic in U.S. elections. In the latest episode of Parsing Immigration Policy, Jim Robb, Vice President of Alliances and Activism at NumbersUSA, joins the Center’s Executive Director, Mark Krikorian, to discuss this shift in voting trends and its implications for the future of American politics with the Center’s Executive Director, Mark Krikorian.

    In the last two presidential elections, Hispanics, the fastest growing minority group in the country, have shown a notable move toward Republican candidates. Robb highlights the political journey of Hispanic voters, the factors driving the changes, current trends, and future expectations, including:
    • In the recent presidential election, almost every demographic group moved toward Republicans.
    • Economic concerns like inflation, followed by immigration, were cited as the top issues for Hispanic voters in the 2024 election.
    • Traditional identities of class and economic interests trumped racial identity politics.
    • The political journey of Hispanic Americans and African Americans, and how they vote, are very different.
    • Populism and nationalism trends are reshaping party dynamics.
    • Hispanic voting trends are a catastrophe for Democrats.
    Host

    Mark Krikorian is the Executive Director of the Center for Immigration Studies.

    Guest

    Jim Robb is the Vice President of Alliances and Activism at NumbersUSA.

    Related

    Slide Deck Immigration Campaign Polling

    Why did Hispanics vote so heavily for Donald Trump

    Is Demography Still Destiny after 2024

    Political Migrants: Hispanic Voters on the Move

    Hispanics’ Voting Preferences on Immigration

    Intro Montage

    Voices in the opening montage:
    • Sen. Barack Obama at a 2005 press conference.
    • Sen. John McCain in a 2010 election ad.
    • President Lyndon Johnson, upon signing the 1965 Immigration Act.
    • Booker T. Washington, reading in 1908 from his 1895 Atlanta Exposition speech.
    • Laraine Newman as a "Conehead" on SNL in 1977.
    • Hillary Clinton in a 2003 radio interview.
    • Cesar Chavez in a 1974 interview.
    • House Speaker Nancy Pelosi speaking to reporters in 2019.
    • Prof. George Borjas in a 2016 C-SPAN appearance.
    • Sen. Jeff Sessions in 2008 comments on the Senate floor.
    • Charlton Heston in "Planet of the Apes".
    Voir plus Voir moins
    43 min