Parsing Immigration Policy

Center for Immigration Studies
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  • POLITICS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
Parsing Immigration Policy

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. NOV 14

    Panel: State Department Can Lead on Fighting Illegal Immigration and Promoting Border Security

    This week’s episode of the Center for Immigration Studies podcast Parsing Immigration Policy features an in-depth discussion on the vital role the Department of State can play in combating illegal immigration and alleviating the enforcement burden. The episode revisits a previous panel hosted by the Center, which discussed Foggy Bottom and the Border: Harnessing the State Department to lead a U.S. foreign policy that fights illegal immigration and promotes border security, a Center report which includes key policy recommendations for the next administration. The topic gains fresh relevance as President-elect Donald Trump recently named Sen. Marco Rubio as his nominee for Secretary of State. Rubio’s selection comes at a pivotal time when the Department of State’s leadership could help shape U.S. immigration policy. The conversation highlights the need for the Department of State, the lead U.S. foreign affairs agency, to play a key role in tackling the current migration crisis. The panel explored how a coordinated approach within the next administration could empower State and other foreign affairs agencies to combat illegal immigration. From visa issuance and international diplomacy to integrating State Department activities with DHS, DOJ, and other federal and state authorities, the report underscores the potential of a “whole-of-government” effort to address border security effectively. Host Mark Krikorian is the Executive Director of the Center for Immigration Studies. Guests Christopher Landau is a Former U.S. Ambassador to Mexico (2019-2021). Phillip Linderman is a Retired senior Foreign Service officer at the State Department and Board Member at the Center for Immigration Studies. Jessica Vaughan is the Director of Policy Studies at the Center for Immigration Studies. Related Report: Foggy Bottom and the Border Panel Press Release Panel Video Panel Transcript PRM: The Obscure State Department Bureau that Fosters Global Illegal Migration 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".

    39 min

  2. NOV 7

    Optional Practical Training: A Shadow Workforce with Minimal Oversight

    The Optional Practical Training program (OPT), which began as a post-graduation internship program, has evolved into the largest foreign worker program in the United States, authorizing work for years beyond graduation for foreign nationals on student visas. Notably, OPT was developed by DHS under pressure from Silicon Valley tech leaders looking for ways around worker protections built into the H-1B visa program. In the latest episode of Parsing Immigration Policy, Jon Feere, the Center’s Director of Investigations and former ICE Chief of Staff, examines the controversial OPT program. This timely discussion reveals the implications of the underregulated program that has allowed over half a million foreign students to work in the United States without work visas, impacting American employment and wages, national security, and Social Security and Medicare revenues. Key Points:Economic Impact: Employers hiring foreign students under OPT are exempt from paying Social Security and Medicare taxes, leading to an estimated $4 billion in annual lost revenue. This tax advantage can incentivize the hiring of foreign workers over Americans.Oversight Challenges: Over 7,400 schools certified by ICE to enroll foreign students rely on Designated School Officials (DSOs) to maintain and update records. These officials often face university pressure to ignore the required strict oversight.Fraudulent Practices: "Day 1 CPT" schemes allow students to work almost immediately upon arrival, undermining the educational purpose of their visas and enabling work without genuine educational intent.National Security Concerns: The unchecked growth of the OPT program poses significant national security risks, allowing foreign nationals to work for years in sensitive fields.Solutions: Limit the fields of study available to foreign students, and eliminate or significantly tighten up the OPT program to make it more manageable for DHS and less likely to have a significant impact on national security and the U.S. labor market.Host Mark Krikorian is the Executive Director of the Center for Immigration Studies. Guest Jon Feere is the Director of Investigations at the Center for Immigration Studies. Related Bloomberg Investigates 'Elaborate Charade' Known as Day1 CPT Optional Practical Training for Foreign Students Now a $4 Billion Annual Tax Exemption ICE's Controversial Foreign Student Employment Programs Are Not Protecting Workers Foreign Student Fraud Case HIghlights Serious Problems 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...

    40 min

  3. OCT 31

    Immigration Shifts Political Power

    Immigration shifts political power in the United States – without a single immigrant having to vote. Seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and thus votes in the Electoral College are apportioned among the states based on each one’s total population — not by the number of citizens or legal residents. The Center for Immigration Studies today released two reports explaining how this works, which are the subject of this week’s episode of Parsing Immigration Policy. The first report examines how the enormous scale of legal and illegal immigration in recent decades has redistributed House seats and electoral votes to high-immigration states, which provides a net benefit to Democrats. The second report looks at congressional districts, and shows how immigration redistributes representation from districts comprised primarily of U.S. citizens to districts with large non-citizen populations. This too has a significant partisan dimension, but it has nothing to do with non-citizens possibly voting illegally. “Because of the way reapportionment and redistricting work, immigration, including illegal immigration, redistributes political power in Washington,” said Steven Camarota, the Center’s Director of Research and lead author of both reports. He added, “This redistribution is directly proportional to the scale of legal and illegal immigration and exists independent of whether or how immigrants themselves vote.” Host Mark Krikorian is the Executive Director of the Center for Immigration Studies. Guest Steven Camarota is the Director of Research at the Center for Immigration Studies. Related Press Release Estimating the impact of legal and illegal immigration on apportionment and political influence in the U.S. House and Electoral College How Non-Citizens Impact Political Representation and the Partisan Makeup of the U.S. House of Representatives How Many Non-Citizens Would Have to Vote to Affect the 2024 Presidential Election? Intro MontageVoices 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...

    38 min

  4. OCT 24

    Field Investigation Reveals Migrant Crisis in Southern Mexico

    Recent Center for Immigration Studies field work reveals a growing crisis in the Mexican southern state of Chiapas. Why are thousands of migrants bottled up in this area near the Guatemala-Mexico border, and why are caravans forming but only moving within Chiapas? On-the-ground reporting by Todd Bensman, the Center’s national security fellow, highlights the impact of the Biden-Harris administration’s December 2023 deal with Mexico and the potential consequences leading up to and following the U.S. election. Key findings: Biden-Harris Agreement: In December 2023, the U.S. and Mexico reached a secretive deal to keep migrants in southern Mexico to reduce the appearance of a border crisis in the U.S. The deal has resulted in the Mexican military setting up roadblocks in the region, particularly around the border town of Tapachula, to slow the flow of migrants. Migrants Bottled Up: Bensman visited Tapachula, where an estimated 150,000 migrants are stranded, with 500 to 1,500 more arriving daily. The city is overwhelmed, with high poverty levels and unrest. Caravans and Military Escorts: Migrant caravans are forming, but they are not headed to the U.S. Instead, the Mexican military is escorting them to other cities within Chiapas to ease pressure on Tapachula. Bribes and mafias enable wealthier migrants to escape the blockade, but poorer migrants remain trapped. CBP One App: The U.S. extended access to the CBP One app, previously only usable in northern Mexico, to allow migrants in southern Mexico to schedule appointments for processing into the U.S. However, delays and limited access make it difficult for most to advance quickly. Upcoming Election Tension: Many migrants feel an urgency to reach the U.S. before a potential change in leadership. Those interviewed fear that a Trump win would mean a closed border and no benefits, while they believe a Harris win would maintain the status quo and provide access to benefits. In his closing commentary, Mark Krikorian, the Center’s executive director and podcast host, contends that Mexican government’s prevention of migrants from approaching the U.S. border is largely political and temporary. If the administration were serious about halting the migrant flow, they would support Panama’s efforts at the Darien Gap, to prevent migrants from getting to southern Mexico in the first place. He highlights Bensman’s recent fieldwork in Panama, where he explored the new president’s initiatives to control migrant traffic through the Darien Gap. Despite the positive implications for the U.S., the Biden-Harris administration has been slow to provide the diplomatic and financial support promised to Panama. Host Mark Krikorian is the Executive Director of the Center for Immigration Studies. Guest Todd Bensman is National Security Fellow at the Center for Immigration Studies. Related CIS in the southern Mexican state of Chiapas Daily Mail Op-ed Inside ‘Zone 47’: Biden’s Ruthless Mexico Immigration Crackdown Is Working, but Media Won’t Tie Him to It Recent Sky-High Levels of Illegal Migration Are Dropping Fast — and Here’s Why a...

    33 min

  5. OCT 17

    FEMA Funding for Illegal Immigrants: A Slush Fund for NGOs and Blue States?

    In the latest episode of Parsing Immigration Policy, the Center examines how a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) program – originally designed for homeless veterans – has evolved into a controversial funding source for illegal immigrants. This program has received wide public notice in the wake of the two recent hurricanes and claims that FEMA is putting the needs of illegal aliens ahead of Americans suffering from natural disasters. Andrew Arthur, the Center’s fellow in law and policy, walks the audience through the creation of an emergency food and shelter program in 1987 under President Reagan, its expansion and current role as a funding pipeline for NGOs and blue states to pay for the consequences of the Biden-Harris migrant crisis. Highlights:History of FEMA’s Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP): Originally meant to provide relief to homeless Vietnam veterans and others, this program has expanded beyond its intended purpose.Shift in Focus: After more than 111,000 adult migrants with children and unaccompanied minors crossed the border illegally May 2019, President Trump requested additional funds to move migrant children out of Border Patrol custody. He ultimately received the money, but only in exchange for a $30 million expansion of EFSP for transporting and housing illegal migrants. His administration unsuccessfully tried to end the program in subsequent budget requests.Biden-Harris Administration Funding Surge: Under President Biden, regular EFSP grew, but a new line item also appeared called EFSP-H, for “humanitarian”, i.e., to facilitate the settlement of illegal border-crossers. It later morphed into the FEMA Shelter and Services Program (SSP). Funding grew from the original $30 million to $650 million in 2024 – a 20-fold increase in just a few years. Much of this money is directed to NGOs and local governments in blue states.Undermining Incentives for Policy Changes: The government creates disaster through bad policy, then requests and receives funding to cope with the disaster, which is funneled to NGOs which support the policies responsible for the disaster in the first place. This removes much of the incentive to address the illegal immigration problem or to push the federal government for policy changes.Reprogramming FEMA Funds: The podcast highlights DHS’s ability to reprogram FEMA money from immigration support to disaster relief, raising questions about the prioritization of illegal immigration over natural disaster recovery.In his closing commentary, Mark Krikorian, the Center’s executive director and podcast host, highlights the arrival and expansion of the Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua, emphasizing that its establishment is a direct consequence of the Biden-Harris administration’s policies. 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 Making Sense of FEMAs Migrant Payment Schemes How FEMA Distributes Moneys to Cope with the Surge of Migrants Massive Spending Bill Includes $785 Million to Feed, House and Transport Migrants Intro Montage Voices in the opening montage: Sen. Barack Obama at a 2005 press conference.Sen. John McCain in a 2010 election ad.President...

    32 min

  6. OCT 10

    Landmark NEPA Case Sets Precedent for Environmental Review of Immigration Policies

    The latest episode of Parsing Immigration Policy examines a groundbreaking legal case that has set a new precedent for how immigration policies intersect with environmental law. Julie Axelrod, Director of Litigation at the Center for Immigration Studies, joins the conversation to discuss the federal court’s landmark decision that holds the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) accountable for violating the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The Center bought a case against DHS on behalf of a rancher in the first case to successfully apply NEPA — often regarded as the "Magna Carta" of environmental laws — to immigration actions. NEPA, enacted in 1970, mandates that federal agencies evaluate the environmental effects of significant actions, including their impact on human environments. Yet, immigration policies have never undergone such analysis, despite their direct influence on population growth and environmental conditions.Key HighlightsWhat is NEPA? Axelrod explains the origins of NEPA and its importance in shaping government decision-making. She emphasizes that NEPA requires agencies to "look before they leap" by conducting thorough environmental reviews before implementing actions that could affect the environment. While NEPA has long applied to policies regarding energy, agriculture, etc., immigration authorities have never been held to the same standard — until now.Why It Matters: The ruling underscores the environmental impacts of mass immigration, which contribute to population growth, urban development, and strain on natural resources. Axelrod points out that, paradoxically, environmental groups — which typically champion NEPA — have not pursued this angle, leaving the Center to lead the charge.Future Implications: The court’s decision paves the way for future lawsuits that could hold the government accountable for immigration policies' environmental consequences.Remedies: The case will now move forward to determine appropriate remedies, with briefings scheduled for later this year. Axelrod highlights the need for future public engagement and hearings to assess how immigration impacts local communities and ecosystems.In his closing remarks, Mark Krikorian, the Center’s executive director and host of the podcast, addresses the recent announcement that the U.S. government will not be renewing the parole of Haitians and Venezuelans who were let in unlawfully by the hundreds of thousands by the Biden-Harris administration. While this may seem like a tough stance, Krikorian explains that the decision is largely symbolic with no real impact and purely designed to influence the election. Host Mark Krikorian is the Executive Director of the Center for Immigration Studies. Guest Julie Axelrod is the Director of Litigation at the Center for Immigration Studies. Related CIS Prevails in Challenge to Biden-Harris Immigration Actions 50th Anniversary of NEPA: Five Decades of Ignoring Environmental Impacts of 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...

    37 min

  7. OCT 3

    Open Borders and the Rise of Transnational Crime

    In the latest episode of Parsing Immigration Policy, the growing threat of transnational criminal organizations, how we got here, and potential solutions to address the issue. Guest host Jon Feere, the Center’s Director of Investigation and former Chief of Staff of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is joined by retired U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Denver Field Office Director John Fabbricatore who shares insights from his new book De-Iced: America in the Era of Open Borders and Unchecked Immigration. Fabbricatore focuses on the Venezuelan transnational criminal organization “Tren de Aragua,” which has quickly established itself in the U.S., particularly in cities like Chicago and New York, and even in smaller cities like Aurora, Colorado. He explains how the gang, involved in human trafficking and drug smuggling, has been expanding rapidly since first arriving in the country in 2023. Drawing on decades of experience in immigration enforcement, Fabbricatore shares personal stories from his career, including the challenges of deporting criminals and the complexities of international law enforcement. He stresses the need for a stronger commitment to enforcing immigration laws to ensure public safety and national security. Key Points:Tren de Aragua has already established a foothold in the U.S., with an estimated 5,000 members. He warns that unless there is swift action, the gang’s influence will only continue to grow.The challenges posed by sanctuary city policies hamper ICE’s ability to tackle gang violence and organized crime: "Sanctuary policies protect criminals, not citizens."Fabbricatore criticizes the Biden-Harris administration’s handling of immigration, particularly the abuse of parole programs, which he claims has overwhelmed the system. "Our system cannot handle the flood of illegal immigrants. The chaos being created now will eventually result in a push for amnesty."Host Jon Feere is the Director of Investigations at the Center for Immigration Studies. Guest John Fabbricatore is a retired U.S. Customs and Border Protection Field Office Director. Related De-Iced: America in the Era of Open Borders and Unchecked Immigration Venezuelan Gang Stirs Fears in Colorado’s Third Largest City Sanctuary Map 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".

    29 min

  8. SEP 26

    How to Scale-up Interior Immigration Enforcement

    The latest episode of Parsing Immigration Policy examines two key issues for the upcoming election: how former President Donald Trump might approach interior enforcement of immigration laws if elected, and the ideology behind the Biden-Harris policies that have led to the current border crisis. In a pre-recorded segment from a recent seminar, Andrew Arthur, the Center’s fellow in law and policy, outlines what a return to normal immigration enforcement under a Republican presidency might look like. Key topics discussed include: Prioritizing Removals: How might Trump prioritize the removal of illegal aliens? Just for starters, the priority could be to find and remove the 99 aliens on the terrorist watch list who were released under Biden-Harris policies, followed by criminal aliens, and then the 1.29 million individuals already under orders of removal. ICE and Law Enforcement: ICE will be challenged due to staffing declines under Biden-Harris in ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) division. But officers from the other main division of ICE, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), would help make up the shortfall. Sanctuary Policies and Criminal Aliens: How state and local police might handle criminal aliens under sanctuary policies. Detention and Deportation Logistics: The use of military bases and county jails for detention, commercial and charter flights for deportations, and potential obstacles from uncooperative countries are examined. E-Verify and Workplace Enforcement: Workplace enforcement, especially E-Verify, would likely play a critical role in Trump's approach. Our special commentary in this episode is the opening statement that Mark Krikorian, the Center’s executive director, provided before the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Accountability. He testified that the Biden-Harris administration's immigration policy is not the result of incompetence or failure but a deliberate ideological stance. Describing the current border crisis as the largest in U.S. history, he highlights the over 10 million encounters with inadmissible aliens since January 2021. The administration’s approach bypasses legal limits set by Congress and is driven by a belief in unlimited immigration. This, according to Krikorian, represents a significant departure from U.S. law and poses a challenge to national sovereignty. Host Mark Krikorian is the Executive Director of the Center for Immigration Studies. Guest Andrew Arthur is the Resident Fellow in Law and Policy at the Center for Immigration Studies. Related Graph from Andrew Arthur's presentation Mark Krikorian's Testimony 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".

    26 min
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4.3
out of 5
43 Ratings

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 - 2024
  • Episodes
    181
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Center for Immigration Studies
  • Show Website
    Parsing Immigration Policy

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