Parsing Immigration Policy

Center for Immigration Studies
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  • POLITICS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

A weekly discussion of immigration policy matters, both immediate and long-term, with researchers from the Center for Immigration Studies and guests.The Center for Immigration Studies is an independent, non-partisan, non-profit, research organization. Since our founding in 1985 by Otis Graham Jr., we have pursued a single mission – providing immigration policymakers, the academic community, news media, and concerned citizens with reliable information about the social, economic, environmental, security, and fiscal consequences of legal and illegal immigration into the United States. Listen to all episodes of Parsing Immigration Policy at Ricochet.com.

  1. 5D AGO

    Capitol Hill Briefing Highlights Security Risks in Biden-Era Afghan Evacuation Program

    A recent Capitol Hill policy briefing sponsored by the Center for Immigration Studies and the Ben Franklin Fellowship examined the long-term security implications of the Biden administration’s Afghan evacuation program. Excerpts from the event are featured in this week’s episode of Parsing Immigration Policy, titled “Stopping the Next Afghan Terrorist Attack: Mitigating the Vetting Failures, Fraud, and Corruption of the Biden-Era Evacuation Program.” Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ), a member of the House Judiciary Committee and co-chair of the Border Security Caucus, opened the discussion by warning that the Biden-era “Operation Allies Welcome” for Afghan nationals evolved into “an unmanageable and unsafe process.” He argued that safeguards became optional and that statutory vetting standards were weakened. “We’re not abandoning allies,” Biggs said. “We’re importing unvetted migrants. And the only promise we were breaking was our oath to keep American citizens safe and protect our borders and our people.” He emphasized that security vetting protects both Americans and the integrity of legitimate humanitarian programs. Andrew Veprek, Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM), detailed how the Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program had expanded far beyond the original SIV statutory framework. He noted that while the traditional SIV category required 15 years of faithful service and chief-of-mission approval, the Afghan program extensively broadened eligibility and reduced verification standards, gutting statutory requirements. There are still roughly 120,000 principal applicants still in the SIV pipeline (not including family members, which could quintuple the total). President Trump has put a hold on these. James Rogers, a former Foreign Service officer and whistleblower, described systemic pressure for rapid visa processing and adjudication. He cited widespread document irregularities and estimated substantial fraud, potentially higher than 75%, within the applicant pool. Rogers called for structural whistleblower protections and reforms to separate investigative and defensive functions within the employee grievance process. Mark Krikorian, the Center's executive director and podcast host, concludes the podcast discussion by highlighting a recent development in Afghanistan that complicates U.S. policy even further: the Taliban's recent issuance of a new penal code that formally recognizes slavery. Krikorian argues that Afghan nationals seeking entry to the U.S. can now claim they are fleeing slavery, triggering asylum grants despite the impossibility of meaningful vetting. He advocates eliminating defensive asylum claims and instead transferring applicants to safe third countries willing to accept them. Host Mark Krikorian is the Executive Director of the Center for Immigration Studies Guests Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ) is a member of the House Judiciary Committee and co-chair of the Border Security Caucus Andrew Veprek is the Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) James Rogers, is a former Foreign Service officer and whistleblower Related The Ben Franklin Fellowship 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.Candidate Trump in 2015 campaign speech.Charlton Heston in "Planet of the Apes".

    37 min

  2. FEB 5

    Gov. Ron DeSantis on Florida’s “Gold Standard” Immigration Enforcement Model

    The Center’s latest podcast episode features Florida Governor Ron DeSantis discussing how Florida has become the gold standard on immigration enforcement. Gov. DeSantis explains why Florida has avoided the unrest seen in Los Angeles and Minneapolis, pointing to strong state laws and cooperation with federal authorities. Key highlights: Mandatory Cooperation with ICE: During a special legislative session following President Trump’s election, Florida enacted a law requiring all state and local officials to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. Officials who refuse can be suspended from office. Sanctuary policies are banned statewide.287(g) Agreements: All 67 Florida county sheriffs participate in 287(g) agreements, along with the majority of police agencies. Florida is the first state to require state agencies to enter such agreements, enabling full task-force, street-level cooperation with ICE.More than 20,000 apprehensions have resulted from state and local cooperation.State-Run Detention Capacity: Florida operates a state-owned detention and processing facility, nicknamed “Alligator Alcatraz,” to address federal detention shortages. An immigration judge adjudicates cases onsite, and DHS conducts removals directly from the facility’s airstrip.A second “Deportation Depot” in northern Florida supports removals.DHS provides full federal reimbursement.Provides an update on legal challenges.Interior Enforcement Measures:Mandatory E-Verify for public employers and private employers with 25+ workers.No driver’s licenses or local photo IDs (by government agencies or NGOs) for illegal immigrants.English-only commercial driver’s license testing.State election crimes unit to prosecute illegal voting.Maritime Enforcement: Through Operation Vigilant Sentry, Florida interdicts migrants at sea and hands them over to the Coast Guard for return to their home countries.In his closing commentary, Mark Krikorian, executive director and podcast host, highlights a new Center report finding that 53% of immigrant-headed households, legal and illegal together, use at least one welfare program. He points out that most immigrants work, but because they have low levels of education, they earn low wages and thus rely on taxpayer-funded support. Reducing future dependence requires selecting legal immigrants based on skills and enforcing laws against illegal immigration. Host Mark Krikorian is the Executive Director of the Center for Immigration Studies Guest Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Related Welfare Use by Immigrants and the U.S.-Born, 2024 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.Candidate Trump in 2015 campaign speech.Charlton Heston in "Planet of the Apes".

    35 min

  3. JAN 29

    How a Visa for Crime Victims Became a De Facto Amnesty

    A new episode of the Center for Immigration Studies podcast examines the U visa program, originally created by Congress in 2000 under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), and explains how a narrowly tailored law-enforcement tool has evolved into a large-scale immigration benefit program, riddled with fraud and abuse. The U visa was designed to help law enforcement agencies detect, investigate, and prosecute crimes by offering legal status to unlawfully present victims of serious crimes who might otherwise be reluctant to have contact with authorities, in exchange for their cooperation. Congress capped the program at 10,000 visas annually, excluding family members. Key findings discussed in the episode include: The program has been overwhelmed, with roughly 250,000 pending applications from principal applicants and 150,000 more from family members – about 400,000 total cases.The surge is not driven by increased victimization, but by policy changes under the Biden administration that created incentives to apply regardless of merit.Under the Biden administration, applicants received work permits and protection from deportation upon filing an application, even before meaningful vetting or adjudication.USCIS officers were stripped of authority to place fraudulent applicants into deportation proceedings, eliminating consequences for false or frivolous filings.Evidence of abuse includes staged crimes, forged law-enforcement certifications, and an underground industry marketing the U visa as a means to a work permit.An internal USCIS study found that one-fifth of applicants were already in removal proceedings when they applied.Some sanctuary states, including California and Illinois, have leveraged the U visa as an amnesty tool, pressuring local law-enforcement agencies to certify applications.Recommendations include: Administrative actions to prioritize legitimate cases and reopen questionable approvals.Congressional reforms to restrict benefits before approval and tighten statutory eligibility.State and local standards for certification, centralized review, and increased oversight.Host Mark Krikorian is the Executive Director of the Center for Immigration Studies Guest Jessica Vaughan is the Director of Policy Studies at the Center for Immigration Studies Related The U Visa Program Trump Sends His ‘Ace Reliever’ Tom Homan to Minneapolis Immigration Newsmaker: A Conversation with ICE Deputy Director Tom Homan 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.Candidate Trump in 2015 campaign speech.Charlton Heston in "Planet of the Apes".

    37 min

  4. JAN 22

    Gaming the System: H-1B Program Abuses

    A new episode of the Center for Immigration Studies podcast features Amanda Bartolotta, an investigative reporter for WorldNetDaily, for a detailed, evidence-based examination of abuses within the H-1B visa program and the powerful trade groups that profit from it. Drawing on firsthand experience in the tech sector, Bartolotta explains how certain IT staffing and outsourcing firms, often referred to as “body shops”, have built a business model around labor arbitrage, using temporary visa programs to displace U.S. workers while shifting jobs and intellectual capital overseas. The discussion focuses heavily on the ITServe Alliance, a trade organization representing hundreds of IT staffing firms that rely on H-1B, OPT, CPT, and related visa programs. Bartolotta explains how Bloomberg has documented exploitation of the H-1B lottery through multiple registrations for the same workers. She also outlines how ITServe openly promotes an integrated onshore-offshore labor pipeline, recruiting abroad while partnering with Indian state governments to expand offshore operations, all while lobbying U.S. policymakers as an “American job creator.” The episode also explores Bartolotta’s personal experience working in tech, where she witnessed offshoring firsthand, raised civil rights concerns, and later became the subject of retaliation after filing complaints. Her reporting examines how visa dependency, restricted worker mobility, benching practices, and green card manipulation raise serious legal and ethical concerns. In the closing commentary, Mark Krikorian, the Center's executive director and podcast host, highlights how Virginia’s new governor moved immediately to turn the state into a sanctuary jurisdiction, underscoring how quickly policy can be reversed when changes are not embedded in statute. He argues that this lesson applies at the federal level as well, and that the Trump administration must prioritize lasting legislative reforms if immigration policy is to endure beyond a single administration. Host Mark Krikorian is the Executive Director of the Center for Immigration Studies Guest Amanda Bartolotta is an investigative reporter for WorldNetDaily Related Amanda Bartolotta's Author Page Foreign Influence and Lobbying Network Hub Americans Left Behind: IT Serve and the Big Business of Labor Arbitrage Visa Power, Political Influence and the Big Business of Labor Arbitrage 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.Candidate Trump in 2015 campaign speech.Charlton Heston in "Planet of the Apes".

    45 min

  5. JAN 15

    Immigration and Trucking: The Search for Cheap Labor

    A new episode of Parsing Immigration Policy examines the controversy surrounding foreign truck drivers and the issuance of non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs). It also offers policy recommendations for the U.S. Department of Transportation and Congress to address safety and labor concerns in the trucking industry. The episode features Gord Magill, a third-generation truck driver and author of the forthcoming book End of the Road: Inside the War on Truckers (March release). Drawing on decades of firsthand experience, Magill challenges the claim, frequently promoted by industry lobbyists, that the United States faces a shortage of truck drivers. Instead, he argues the real problem is driver retention due to low wages and undesirable working conditions. Key issues include: The rapid increase in non-domiciled CDLs, originally intended to address interstate residency issues but now widely abused;How a “driver shortage” narrative has been used to suppress wages and justify expanded pipelines of cheap foreign labor;States issuing CDLs through training centers that fail to meet federal safety and English-language proficiency standards;The rise of “chameleon” companies that evade accountability by dissolving and re-forming under new LLCs after repeated safety violations;The use of overseas-based trucking firms in the hiring of U.S. truckers;Trump-era enforcement efforts aimed at restoring safety on America’s highways.In the closing commentary, Mark Krikorian, executive director and podcast host, flags a Center blog post on a recent New York Times interview in which President Trump again expressed his support for continued high levels of legal immigration. Krikorian points out that this is not new and that the president is not a restrictionist, but rather a transitional figure, paving the way for the next generation of Republican leaders who do support lower levels of overall immigration. Host Mark Krikorian is the Executive Director of the Center for Immigration Studies Guest Gord Magill is a third-generation trucker and author Related Gord Magill’s Substack, “Autonomous Truck(er)s” “I'm an American Trucker. Illegal Migrants Are Flooding My Industry.” Book due out in March: End of the Road: Inside the War on Truckers Takeaways and Analysis from Trump’s Interview with the New York Times 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.Candidate Trump in 2015 campaign speech.Charlton Heston in "Planet of the Apes".

    37 min

  6. JAN 8

    Immigration After Maduro: Time to Go Home?

    A new episode of the Center for Immigration Studies’ podcast examines Venezuela, U.S. foreign policy, and the immigration consequences that follow intervention abroad. Jessica Vaughan, director of policy studies, and George Fishman, senior legal fellow, discuss whether recent U.S. actions in Venezuela could reshape migration flows, and whether legal tools such as the Alien Enemies Act still apply now that Nicolas Maduro is no longer in power. The discussion follows years of record Venezuelan migration during the Biden-era border crisis, driven by economic collapse, political repression, and the Maduro regime’s ties to transnational criminal and terrorist organizations. Vaughan draws on her recent analysis detailing Venezuela’s role in actively creating an environment for Tren de Aragua and Hezbollah to expand their size and reach – including into the United States. The episode explores whether renewed U.S. pressure on Venezuela’s leadership could improve conditions and reduce migration, while also raising questions about the future of more than 600,000 Venezuelans currently protected under Temporary Protected Status (TPS). Fishman explains the statutory requirements of TPS, ongoing court challenges, and how changes in country conditions may affect future renewals, removals, and third-country deportations. Vaughan and Fishman also address asylum policy, including whether claims based on conditions tied to the former regime remain valid and the government’s authority to revisit asylum grants if circumstances change. Finally, the episode assesses the continued relevance of the Alien Enemies Act, a wartime statute that gives the president broad authority to detain and remove citizens of an enemy state. While Maduro may be gone, Fishman explains that indictments linking senior Venezuelan officials to state-backed criminal organizations raise unresolved questions about whether hostile activity persists. Mark Krikorian, executive director and podcast host, points out that U.S. foreign policy decisions often carry lasting immigration consequences, for better or worse. History shows that intervention abroad can reshape immigration patterns; the U.S. has a history of involvement overseas resulting in new large immigrant communities at home. Host Mark Krikorian is the Executive Director of the Center for Immigration Studies Guests Jessica Vaughan is the Director of Policy at the Center for Immigration Studies George Fishman is the Senior Legal Fellow at the Center for Immigration Studies Related Regime Change in Venezuela May Enhance U.S. Security Can We Have a Reckoning about Biden's Venezuelan Migrants Now? Intervention Leads to Immigration Trump Deploys the Alien Enemies Act Against Venezuela and Tren de Aragua Congressional Testimony: The Impacts of Temporary Protected Status Federal Court Rejects DHS's Decision to Revoke TPS for Venezuelans 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.Candidate Trump in 2015 campaign speech.Charlton Heston in "Planet of the Apes".

    38 min

  7. JAN 1

    The Year in Immigration and Predictions for 2026

    In a special year-end episode of Parsing Immigration Policy, Executive Director Mark Krikorian is joined by CIS Director of Policy Studies Jessica Vaughan and Fellow in Law and Policy Andrew Arthur for a comprehensive review of one of the most consequential years for U.S. immigration policy in modern history and a forecast of what to expect in 2026. The discussion examines a sweeping series of executive actions and reforms that dramatically reshaped border security, interior enforcement, and immigration programs. Among the most consequential developments: the resumption of border wall construction; reinvigoration of the Remain in Mexico program; limits on asylum claims by illegal entrants; expanded military support at the border; and a renewed emphasis on interior enforcement. Perhaps most significant for the long term, the panel notes, was the passage of the Laken Riley Act – landmark legislation enacted in direct response to illegal alien crime, widespread detention failures, and mass parole abuse under the Biden administration. Unlike executive orders, the act can’t simply be undone by a future administration and is expected to shape immigration enforcement for years to come. The episode revisits predictions made last year and looks ahead to 2026 with forecasts including:A heavier emphasis on worksite enforcement.Kilmar Abrego Garcia will be removed to a country in the Western Hemisphere.Expanded fraud investigations by USCIS across visa and asylum programs.President Trump will withdraw the U.S. from the U.N. refugee treaty.Push for legalization of mixed-status families.A major no-match letter initiative.Host Mark Krikorian is the Executive Director of the Center for Immigration Studies Guest Jessica Vaughan is the Director of Policy at the Center for Immigration Studies Andrew Arthur is the 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.Candidate Trump in 2015 campaign speech.Charlton Heston in "Planet of the Apes".

    43 min

  8. 12/18/2025

    Immigration Policy Failures Seen Through a Father’s Loss

    A new Center for Immigration Studies podcast episode examines the real-world consequences of immigration and public safety policies through the story of Katie Abraham, a 20-year-old college student killed by an illegal alien in a DUI hit-and-run crash in the sanctuary state of Illinois. Guest host Marguerite Telford, the Center’s Director of Communications, speaks with Joe Abraham, Katie’s father, about the night his daughter and another young woman were killed when an illegal alien driving at nearly 80 miles per hour struck their car while it was stopped at a traffic light. Three additional young women were seriously injured. The driver fled the scene and was later apprehended in Texas while attempting to flee to Mexico. Abraham details how the suspect had previously been deported, returned illegally in 2022, and was living under an alias using false identification. He recently accepted a plea offer of 30 years and now faces federal prosecution for passport misuse, false statements, identity fraud, falsification of a Social Security card, and related offenses. “This was never political for us,” Abraham says. “But policies matter. Leadership matters. And common-sense enforcement could save lives.” Discussion topics include:Sanctuary policies and their impact on public safety.How an illiterate illegal alien obtained a driver’s license without receiving any vetting.The role of prevention – through enforcement and screening – rather than reacting after crimes occur.The lack of engagement from state leaders and victim advocacy organizations, including Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).The human cost of immigration policies.The importance of the DHS VOICE Office in supporting victims and their families.Host Marguerite Telford is the Director of Communications at the Center for Immigration Studies Guest Joe Abraham is the father of Katie Abraham, a 20-year-old college student killed by an illegal alien Related An illegal immigrant killed my daughter. Katie and Illinois are both getting justice  Sanctuary policies failed my daughter and my state  Joe Abraham: We all share my daughter Katie’s legacy — and her death must still mean something 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.Candidate Trump in 2015 campaign speech.Charlton Heston in "Planet of the Apes".

    37 min
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out of 5
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About

A weekly discussion of immigration policy matters, both immediate and long-term, with researchers from the Center for Immigration Studies and guests.The Center for Immigration Studies is an independent, non-partisan, non-profit, research organization. Since our founding in 1985 by Otis Graham Jr., we have pursued a single mission – providing immigration policymakers, the academic community, news media, and concerned citizens with reliable information about the social, economic, environmental, security, and fiscal consequences of legal and illegal immigration into the United States. Listen to all episodes of Parsing Immigration Policy at Ricochet.com.

Information

  • Creator
    Center for Immigration Studies
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    243
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Center for Immigration Studies
  • Show Website
    Parsing Immigration Policy

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