POPULARITY
Donate (no account necessary) | Subscribe (account required) Join Bryan Dean Wright, former CIA Operations Officer, as he dives into today's top stories shaping America and the world. In this Friday Headline Brief of The Wright Report, we cover new data showing the exodus of over two million foreigners under President Trump, an FBI shift toward immigration enforcement, reports of police “cooking the books” on crime, fresh Antifa terror threats, a major arrest in California's deadly Palisades fire, and breaking news on New York Attorney General Letitia James's indictment. We'll also look abroad at the Gaza peace deal, China's mineral squeeze, Argentina's bailout, Finland's icebreaker partnership, and research on finding daily hope. Quick hits to set your radar for the weekend. Trump's Immigration Victory: The Center for Immigration Studies confirmed that 1.65 million illegal aliens have left the U.S. since Trump took office, along with 550,000 legal migrants, totaling 2.2 million fewer foreign residents. That equals roughly 20 to 25 percent of those who entered under Biden, marking faster progress than expected. FBI Turns to Immigration Enforcement: A quarter of FBI agents are now focused on immigration, with the figure reaching 40 percent in large field offices. Critics call it a misuse of resources, but Bryan argues that with 185,000 Chinese illegal aliens in the U.S., “it stands to reason” the shift is justified. DC Crime Data Under Investigation: Forty Washington, D.C. officers are cooperating with a DOJ probe into whether city leaders falsified crime statistics. Officers say politicians and senior brass “cooked the books” to hide rising crime. Antifa Plans ‘Laser Tag' Attacks on ICE Helicopters: The group is urging followers to flood Portland skies with handheld lasers to down federal aircraft. Bryan reminds listeners: “Antifa is not an idea or peaceful — they are terrorists.” Palisades Fire Suspect Arrested: A 29-year-old Florida man and Biden donor was charged in California's fire that killed 12 people and caused $150 billion in damage. Investigators say his phone data placed him at the scene. Letitia James Indicted for Mortgage Fraud: New York's Attorney General, who campaigned on prosecuting Trump, faces bank fraud charges for falsifying records on two homes and claiming her father was her husband to secure favorable loans. Bryan quips, “Karma is quite something, isn't it?” Gaza Peace Advances: Israel's cabinet approved Trump's ceasefire plan, including 2,000 prisoner releases, partial troop withdrawals, and European-Egyptian patrols in Gaza. Trump will visit the region for a signing ceremony. UAE AI Chip Deal: The U.S. authorized Nvidia sales worth billions to the UAE in exchange for a $1.4 trillion investment pledge. Critics warn of Chinese espionage risks. China Tightens Rare Earth Exports: Beijing imposed new restrictions on key minerals to pressure Trump before trade talks. Analysts expect new U.S. investments in domestic mining to follow. U.S. Backs Argentina's Milei: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent bought Argentine pesos to stabilize the economy ahead of Milei's election battle against socialists. Finland Icebreaker Deal: The U.S. and Finland agreed to co-produce 11 new icebreakers, expanding the Coast Guard's fleet to 13 ships for Arctic defense and trade. U.S. Sinks More Narco Boats: The Navy destroyed at least five cartel vessels in the Caribbean as Trump halted diplomatic talks with Venezuela. Study Finds Hope Reduces Stress: Researchers discovered that short daily videos of inspiration reduce anxiety more effectively than meditation. Bryan closes, “The path to happiness and less stress is hope.” "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." - John 8:32 Keywords: Trump immigration deportations 2.2 million, FBI agents immigration enforcement, DC crime stats investigation DOJ, Antifa laser attack ICE helicopters, Palisades fire arrest Florida suspect, Letitia James mortgage fraud indictment, Israel Hamas Trump peace plan, UAE Nvidia AI chip deal China risks, China rare earth export limits, Argentina Milei bailout Scott Bessent, Finland icebreaker shipbuilding deal, Venezuela narco boats destroyed, hope inspiration stress study MedicalXpress
This week's episode of Parsing Immigration Policy features Katie Lam, Conservative Member of Parliament for Weald of Kent and a Shadow Home Office Minister, who brings a British perspective on the pressing issue of immigration.Since 1974, the UK's immigration system has been marked by broken promises to the voters and rising numbers – despite repeated pledges to reduce migration. Net migration has averaged 100,000+ annually since 1977, peaking at more than 900,000 in 2023, creating profound economic, cultural, and practical challenges.In a conversation with Mark Krikorian, the Center's Executive Director, Lam argues that both legal and illegal migration must be tackled head-on:Legal MigrationCurrent system brings in too many people and is insufficiently selective.Health & Social Care visa was projected to bring in 6,000 entrants – but saw 600,000 arrivals, many not working in the sector.Consequence: artificially low wages, huge costs to taxpayers in part due to long-term settlement rights that provide welfare, housing, and full healthcare.Solution: cut and cap numbers, set clear criteria.Illegal MigrationOver 30,000 illegal Channel crossings so far this year – the 2025 number will be a record high.Criminal gangs drive the crossings, costing taxpayers 52,000 pounds per person annually – before even receiving asylum – in housing, food, clothing, and spending money.Lam supports the Rwanda plan – a third-country asylum model to deter unlawful entry.She also raises concerns about judicial overreach, international treaties, and the erosion of parliamentary authority in controlling borders. Lam makes the case for a reformed Conservative Party to deliver consistent, specific, and enforceable immigration policies – restoring trust with voters and winning in the future election.In today's commentary, Mark Krikorian notes the role that taxpayer-funded healthcare for illegal aliens plays in the current government shutdown debate and observes that the only major immigration function that stops during a shutdown is E-Verify.HostMark Krikorian is the Executive Director of the Center for Immigration Studies.GuestKatie Lamm is the Conservative Member of Parliament for Weald of Kent and a Shadow Home Office Minister.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.Candidate Trump in 2015 campaign speech.Charlton Heston in "Planet of the Apes".
In this episode of The PDB Situation Report: President Trump shocks the world with a dramatic reversal on the war in Ukraine, declaring that the country could win back all of the territory it has lost. Former Commanding General of U.S. Army Europe, Retired Lt. General Ben Hodges, joins the show to share his thoughts on Trump's new position and what it means for the battlefield. Later, the Trump administration touts a milestone in its immigration crackdown, reporting that over 2 million illegal aliens have been removed or self-deported in just 250 days. Resident Fellow for Law and Policy at the Center for Immigration Studies, Art Arthur, breaks down the numbers and the strategy behind the administration's approach. To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President's Daily Brief by visiting https://PDBPremium.com. Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The President's Daily Brief. YouTube: youtube.com/@presidentsdailybrief CBDistillery: Visit https://CBDistillery.com and use promo code PDB for 25% off your entire order! Birch Gold: Text PDB to 989898 and get your free info kit on gold American Financing: Call American Financing today to find out how customers are saving an avg of $800/mo. NMLS 182334, https://nmlsconsumeraccess.org. APR for rates in the 5s start at 6.327% for well qualified borrowers. Call 866-885-1881 for details about credit costs and terms. Visit http://www.AmericanFinancing.net/PDB. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Guests: Mark Krikorian, Christina J. Lambert, & John T. Seiffertt Host Scot Bertram talks with Mark Krikorian, executive director at the Center for Immigration Studies, about a recent essay on how America makes assimilation more difficult for immigrants. Christina Lambert, assistant professor of English at Hillsdale College, begins a series on the life and work of poet […]
Guests: Mark Krikorian, Christina J. Lambert, & John T. Seiffertt Host Scot Bertram talks with Mark Krikorian, executive director at the Center for Immigration Studies, about a recent essay on how America makes assimilation more difficult for immigrants. Christina Lambert, assistant professor of English at Hillsdale College, begins a series on the life and work of poet T. S. Eliot. And John Seiffertt, associate professor of computer science at Hillsdale College, discusses the unique ways that Hillsdale College teaches computer science.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The latest episode of the Parsing Immigration Policy podcast features the audio of a recent sit-down between Executive Director Mark Krikorian and Michael Banks, Chief of the U.S. Border Patrol. During an in-depth discussion, Chief Banks touched on the current state of border security, including apprehension numbers, maritime illegal immigration, northern border challenges, gotaways, recruitment efforts, the role of the National Guard, and more.Appointed to lead the agency earlier this year, Banks is a former Border Patrol agent with more than 30 years of federal law enforcement and border security experience. His tenure comes at a critical time, as heightened immigration policy debates dominate the national conversation.HostMark Krikorian is the Executive Director of the Center for Immigration Studies.GuestMichael Banks is the Chief of the U.S. Border Patrol.RelatedPanel Press ReleasePanel VideoC-Span CoverageCIS Live StreamPanel TranscriptIntro 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.Candidate Trump in 2015 campaign speech.Charlton Heston in "Planet of the Apes".
The Rod and Greg Show Rundown – Tuesday, September 23, 20254:20 pm: Senator Dan McCay joins the show to discuss his push to create a memorial for Charlie Kirk on the campus of Utah Valley University and the pushback the idea is receiving from some of the school's students.4:38 pm: George Fishman, Senior Legal Fellow at the Center for Immigration Studies, joins the show to discuss a largely ignored 1996 law that prevents migrants from receiving welfare.6:05 pm: Senator Brady Brammer joins Rod and Greg to discuss his proposal to create new congressional maps for the state using “partisan symmetry,” a plan that has frustrated the state's Democrats.6:38 pm: Paul McCarthy, Senior Research fellow for European Affairs at the Heritage Foundation's Center for Freedom, joins the program to discuss his piece for RealClearWorld on how Europe's recognition of Palestine is a slap to the face of the United States.
The latest episode of the Parsing Immigration Policy podcast features the audio of a recent sit-down between Executive Director Mark Krikorian and Joseph Edlow, the newly confirmed Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). In a wide-ranging discussion, Edlow laid out his priorities for the agency — from strengthening fraud detection to reforming visa programs and restoring integrity to the naturalization process.On expanding investigative capacity, Edlow said:"When you're adjudicating a green card or a naturalization, that's a law enforcement action...But this is not a police force. What we are looking at incorporating into USCIS is an investigative agency…to really do a deep dive into immigration fraud, national security issues, and other criminality within the agency's jurisdiction."Other highlights include:H-1B visas: “If properly monitored and scrutinized for integrity, H-1B can be a useful tool. But my big concern is the way it keeps U.S. citizens out of the job market, especially recent STEM graduates.”Vetting standards: “We want to know everything about these individuals… Anti-American activities at a certain level are not going to be tolerated.”Naturalization: “Frankly, this test is just too easy. We need to make it more thought-provoking to ensure new citizens have a real attachment to the Constitution.”Temporary Protected Status: “For the first time in a very long time we are not seeing pro-forma renewals...We are looking at all cases and the reasons for the designations, and making a determination based both on whether those conditions still apply … and looking at, again, the foreign policy considerations.”Edlow also addressed:Decades of “profligate” work permit issuance to people whose status doesn't include work authorization and the end of automatic Social Security number approvals.Parole and DACA, calling DACA a “real legal problem” likely requiring congressional resolution.Legislative priorities, including eliminating the Diversity Visa lottery and fixing visa allocations.Expanding Systematic Alien Verification Enterprise (SAVE) access for states to verify voter eligibility, which he called potentially “a gamechanger.”Renewed denaturalization efforts and stronger fraud detection across USCIS.Host Mark Krikorian is the Executive Director of the Center for Immigration Studies.GuestJoseph Edlow is the Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.RelatedPanel Press ReleasePanel VideoC-Span CoverageCIS Live StreamPanel TranscriptIntro 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.Candidate Trump in 2015 campaign speech.Charlton Heston in "Planet of the Apes".
Florida has become a national leader in immigration enforcement, and this week's episode of Parsing Immigration Policy features an in-depth conversation with Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier on the state's high-profile role.Attorney General Uthmeier discusses Florida's measures to enforce immigration law, protect public safety, and collaborate with federal agencies. Highlights include:Detention Capacity: Florida has three times the immigration detention capacity as the next state, with additional space opening.A repurposed facility recently opened, Deportation Depot.Florida is actively challenging the lawsuit aimed at blocking detention at Alligator Alcatraz. (Host Mark Krikorian follows up after the pre-recorded interview with an update on the state's recent victory in court.)Law Enforcement Authority: Florida is the first state with all officers certified under Section 287(g), empowering them to assist ICE.Public Safety Threats: From illegal alien truck drivers involved in deadly accidents to child predator stings, the AG underscores the risks of unchecked illegal immigration and shares Florida's responses.Maritime Enforcement: With between 12,000 and 15,000 interdictions in state waters, Florida deploys the National Guard, troopers, and local law enforcement to stop illegal arrivals before they reach shore.Illegal Presence in Florida Is a State Offense: State law prohibits an illegal alien from entering the state; the law is being challenged.No Sanctuary: State law prohibits sanctuary cities and empowers the state to hold jurisdictions accountable by levying civil fines and removing people from office.The episode concludes with commentary from the Center's executive director Mark Krikorian, who provides an update on litigation surrounding “Alligator Alcatraz” and the illegal alien trucker and his employer responsible for three deaths in Florida. He also highlights Jobs.now, a new website that uncovers legally required but often hidden job postings—creating a jobs clearinghouse for Americans and making it harder for employers to convert H-1B visa holders into green card applicants.Host Mark Krikorian is the Executive Director of the Center for Immigration Studies.GuestJames Uthmeier is the Attorney General of the State of Florida.RelatedPodcast: The Role of Immigration DetentionIntro 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.Candidate Trump in 2015 campaign speech.Charlton Heston in "Planet of the Apes".
On last week's episode of Unsupervised Learning, Razib spoke with Alex Nowrestah, a vice president at the Cato Institute and a strong advocate for expanding legal immigration. This week, he turned to the other side of the debate with Jason Richwhine, a resident scholar at the Center for Immigration Studies and a vocal supporter of sharply reducing immigration. Richwine earned undergraduate degrees in mathematics and political science from American University, and later a Ph.D. in public policy from Harvard. Before joining CIS, he served as deputy director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology and worked as a senior policy analyst at the Heritage Foundation. The conversation begins with an overview of the dramatic swings in U.S. immigration policy under Biden and Trump. Both note the surge of the foreign-born population in the early 2020s, with the unauthorized share now estimated at 15-16 million. Richwine faults Biden for lax border enforcement and the abuse of parole programs, and points to the comparative effectiveness of Trump's Remain in Mexico policy. He also presses the case for a moratorium, arguing that even legal immigration must be scaled back to sustainable levels. Razib and Richwine weigh the economic and cultural consequences of high-skilled immigration and close by considering whether meaningful reform is politically possible in the years ahead.
The latest episode of Parsing Immigration Policy features Elizabeth Jacobs, Director of Regulatory Affairs and Policy at the Center for Immigration Studies, discussing USCIS's updated guidance on discretion in immigration benefits.Key Points:Beyond “Not a Criminal”: New USCIS policy updates require officers to engage in a more holistic analysis of whether naturalization applicants demonstrate “good moral character,” a requirement for naturalization that has been a part of U.S. immigration law since the beginning. In addition, the agency is now asking officers to consider any anti-American, antisemetic, or terrorist activity as “overwhelmingly negative” factors when evaluating whether an applicant warrants a positive grant of discretion.Discretionary Benefits: Many immigration benefits under the INA — including asylum, national interest waivers under EB-2, and naturalization — are discretionary. Even if eligibility requirements are met, USCIS officers may deny them.Good Moral Character Assessments:Traditionally treated as a checklist; now assessed holistically.Focuses on demonstrating positive attributes and rehabilitation, not just the absence of misconduct.Negative Factors for Discretionary Denials: Officers are instructed to treat support for anti-American ideologies, antisemitism, and terrorism as “overwhelmingly negative factors” when exercising discretion on discretionary immigration benefit requests.Expanded Use of Vetting Tools:Increased use of social media screening, fraud detection, and neighborhood/personal investigations.Previous policies often waived these investigations; the update clarifies they are a standard part of discretion.Balancing Efficiency and Vetting: With millions of applications annually, USCIS must balance rigorous vetting with timely processing. The agency is shifting culture to prioritize serving the American people, not just applicants.Cultural Shift: USCIS is shifting emphasis from serving as a “service agency” to serving as a vetting agency, using the discretion granted by Congress to protect national security and uphold American values — a departure from prior policies favoring mass approvals.Immigration Newsmaker Interview: USCIS Director Joe Edlow will be featured today in an Immigration Newsmaker conversation hosted by CIS at the National Press Club. The video will be available at cis.org.Host Mark Krikorian is the Executive Director of the Center for Immigration Studies.GuestElizabeth Jacobs is the Director of Regulatory Affairs and Policy at the Center for Immigration Studies.RelatedUSCIS to Consider Anti-Americanism, Antisemitism, and Terrorist Activity When Adjudicating Certain Immigration Benefit RequestsCIS National Security Vetting Failures DatabaseIntro 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.Candidate Trump in 2015 campaign speech.Charlton Heston in "Planet of the Apes".
Guest is immigration expert Dr. Steven Camarota of the Center for Immigration Studies, to discuss his recent report showing that since January, the alien population in the U.S. has dropped by 2.2 million, including 1.6 million illegal aliens. Classic movie review of the 1948 film noir, “To the Ends of the Earth,” about a federal operation to smash a smuggling ring.
A new episode of the Center for Immigration Studies podcast features Director of Litigation Julie Axelrod discussing the current status of the Center's landmark National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) lawsuit, a new CIS case filed in Texas, and the recent “Alligator Alcatraz” litigation.Axelrod explains how the Trump administration is handling the remedy phase of Massachusetts Coalition for Immigration Reform v. Department of Homeland Security, where CIS successfully argued that the Biden administration violated NEPA when it dismantled border controls allowing in millions of people without doing any environmental impact analysis. NEPA, enacted in 1970, was intended to address environmental impacts of population growth – yet it has rarely been applied to immigration, despite its obvious relevance.Axelrod argues that applying NEPA consistently would protect the environment, provide transparency, and serve as an insurance policy to prevent future administrations from bypassing environmental review when expanding immigration.Highlights from the discussion with the Center's Executive Director Mark Krikorian include:CIS's Successful Lawsuit: The court found that the Biden administration had violated NEPA. The remedy phase could force DHS to conduct the environmental analysis that should have preceded both the Biden DHS's termination of the “Remain in Mexico” policy and halt in construction of the border wall, and/or could ensure that if a future administration repeats such actions, it would have to do environmental analysis, providing transparency and an opportunity for public input.Trump Administration on the Remedy: The Trump administration's immigration agenda, which largely focuses on reduction, not expansion, of immigration, would not be blocked if the administration were to embrace the idea that increases in immigration should be analyzed under NEPA prior to implementation. Such an embrace would also serve to make the Trump immigration agenda harder for a future administration to undo, as the Biden administration did to the first Trump administration's policies. Furthermore, as the Alligator Alcatraz case shows, whether the Trump administration embraces NEPA for immigration expansion or not, open-borders groups will continue challenging enforcement actions in court under NEPA.New Texas Lawsuit: A coalition of Texas plaintiffs seeks to apply NEPA to Biden-era policies, including the end of “Remain in Mexico,” expansive asylum rules, regulatory expansions to our work programs, and taxpayer-funded NGO programs.Alligator Alcatraz Case: Anti-enforcement groups are trying to use NEPA to block expansion of the Florida detention facility, highlighting a double standard – enforcement actions designed to reduce illegal immigration trigger environmental analysis, but policies that increase immigration do not (yet).Host Mark Krikorian is the Executive Director of the Center for Immigration Studies.GuestJulie Axelrod is the Director of Litigation at the Center for Immigration Studies.RelatedCIS Prevails in Challenge to Biden-Harris Immigration ActionsIntro 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.Candidate Trump in 2015 campaign speech.Charlton Heston in "Planet of the Apes".
Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook's lawyer has filed a lawsuit against President Trump following his unprecedented attempt to fire her on Monday. Many experts fear that the president's latest action could spell the end of the Fed's independence. Gregg Nunziata, Executive Director of the Society for the Rule of Law and Natasha Sarin, Former US Department of Treasury official weigh in on the legal and economic ramifications. Also on today's show: David J. Bier, Director of Immigration Studies, Cato Institute; Oren Lieberman, CNN Jerusalem Bureau Chief; Amande Bazerolle, Deputy Program Manager in Charge of Palestine, Médecins Sans Frontières Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Andrew Arthur is Resident Fellow in Law and Policy for the Center for Immigration Studies. He began his legal career as a clerk to an Administrative Law Judge at the United States Department of Justice, Executive Office for Immigration Review. Crosstalk receives daily updates from the Department of Homeland Security listing the arrests of what they call: The worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens. Jim listed a number of recent offenders originating from South Korea, Colombia, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua and Laos. Supporting such individuals are governors and mayors who are "digging in their heels" and who apparently would rather sacrifice the safety and security of their residents than remove those individuals who are here illegally. In addressing this issue, Jim had Andrew comment on a wide variety of concerns. For example: The legitimacy of asylum claims and whether this is overwhelming the judicial system. What we can learn from the news story of the illegal alien who made a U-turn that took the lives of 3 people while driving an 18 wheeler in Florida. How the Biden administration's border policies had border patrol agents so overwhelmed, personnel were very limited in terms of what they could do to stop illegal drugs from crossing the border. The latest on Kilmar Abrego Garcia, obstruction attempts such as those to shut down "Alligator Alcatraz," unaccompanied alien children and much more.
Andrew Arthur is Resident Fellow in Law and Policy for the Center for Immigration Studies. He began his legal career as a clerk to an Administrative Law Judge at the United States Department of Justice, Executive Office for Immigration Review. Crosstalk receives daily updates from the Department of Homeland Security listing the arrests of what they call: The worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens. Jim listed a number of recent offenders originating from South Korea, Colombia, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua and Laos. Supporting such individuals are governors and mayors who are "digging in their heels" and who apparently would rather sacrifice the safety and security of their residents than remove those individuals who are here illegally. In addressing this issue, Jim had Andrew comment on a wide variety of concerns. For example: The legitimacy of asylum claims and whether this is overwhelming the judicial system. What we can learn from the news story of the illegal alien who made a U-turn that took the lives of 3 people while driving an 18 wheeler in Florida. How the Biden administration's border policies had border patrol agents so overwhelmed, personnel were very limited in terms of what they could do to stop illegal drugs from crossing the border. The latest on Kilmar Abrego Garcia, obstruction attempts such as those to shut down "Alligator Alcatraz," unaccompanied alien children and much more.
This week's episode of the Parsing Immigration Policy podcast features a wide-ranging conversation with recently retired Border Patrol Chief Jason Owens, who served for 30 years and led the agency during the worst border crisis in history. Owens speaks with the Center's Executive Director Mark Krikorian about the evolution of the Border Patrol over its 100-year history, past lessons learned, and future challenges. Key points include:Career and History: Owens joined in 1996 as the Border Patrol was adopting national strategies like Operation Hold the Line and Operation Gatekeeper, shifting from chasing illegal crossers to preventing entry.Border Crisis Leadership: As chief, Owens navigated record flows, low morale, and shifting political directives, often focusing on “damage control” to preserve the agency's mission.Barriers and Technology: Physical barriers serve as a “force multiplier” when deployed strategically, buying agents time to detect, respond, and apprehend.Future Challenges:Smuggling potentially shifting to new routesAliens continuing to exploit loopholes, such as asylum.Need for AI and translation tools to handle migrants from a large number of diverse countries.Border Patrol Growth: Owens stresses that expansion must be gradual, maintaining high standards and adequate training to avoid weakening the force. In his closing commentary, Krikorian highlights a widely reported Center study showing a 2.2 million decline in the immigrant population, including 1.6 million illegal immigrants, in the first half of 2025. Critics argued the drop might be artificial, caused by non-response to the monthly Current Population Survey (CPS) due to fear of enforcement. But Krikorian noted response rates have been falling steadily for years, with no sharper decline under recent enforcement policies, suggesting the measured reduction is real – and that new policies have been successful in reducing illegal immigration.Host Mark Krikorian is the Executive Director of the Center for Immigration Studies.GuestJason Owens is former Chief of the Border Patrol.RelatedOverall Foreign-Born Population Down 2.2 Million January to JulyIs the Apparent Decline in the Immigrant Population Real?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.Candidate Trump in 2015 campaign speech.Charlton Heston in "Planet of the Apes".
Are illegal immigrants going to be removed from the U.S. census? Why were they being counted in the first place? Mike Slater discusses the implications with Mark Krikorian of the Center for Immigration Studies. This is part two of a two-part series. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Are illegal immigrants going to be removed from the U.S. census? Why were they being counted in the first place? Mike Slater discusses the implications with Mark Krikorian of the Center for Immigration Studies. This is part two of a two-part series. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In a stunning reversal of Biden's open border insanity new analysis from the Center for Immigration Studies reveals a dramatic plunge in the U.S. foreign-born population – exceeding 2 million people, with most of the decrease coming in the form of what appears to be self-deporting warm and fluffies (illegal immigrants).
In the latest episode of the Center for Immigration Studies podcast, Executive Director Mark Krikorian speaks with Scott Mechkowski, retired Deputy Field Office Director for ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations in New York. With experience at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and its predecessor agency, the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), Mechkowski offers an […]
In the latest episode of the Center for Immigration Studies podcast, Executive Director Mark Krikorian speaks with Scott Mechkowski, retired Deputy Field Office Director for ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations in New York. With experience at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and its predecessor agency, the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), Mechkowski offers an inside view of how immigration enforcement has changed over time.From his early days as a deportation officer to leading seven Fugitive Operations Teams targeting dangerous criminal aliens, Mechkowski recounts arrests, post-9/11 operations, and the gradual breakdown of cooperation between ICE and New York City authorities under sanctuary policies. He contrasts the first Trump administration's aggressive enforcement approach — led by then-ICE Acting Director Tom Homan — with the Biden administration's politicization of the agency under DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.Mechkowski also discusses operational challenges, the role of E-Verify, detention space needs, and the realities behind having arrest targets. His reflections reveal how enforcement priorities, local politics, and national leadership shape ICE's ability to remove those who should not be in the country.Host Mark Krikorian is the Executive Director of the Center for Immigration Studies.GuestScott Mechkowski is a retired Deputy Field Office Director for ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations in New YorkRelatedNational Immigration Center for EnforcementIntro 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.Candidate Trump in 2015 campaign speech.Charlton Heston in "Planet of the Apes".
Alright. I wanna read you a story. This comes from 05/13/2024. It's from the Center for Immigration Studies. Again, this is 05/13/2024. Foreign born population grew by 5,100,000 in the last two years. Largest two year increase ever recorded. The foreign born immigration population hit new records as of March 2024 of fifty one point six million and 15.6%, 15.6% of the total US population. Okay? Now that was from May 2024. They did that study, compiled it, got it all together. Foreign born population grew by 5,100,000, basically, under Joe Biden. Well, here we are in 2025, little over a year later, and quite the opposite has happened. Overall foreign born population is down 2,200,000 from January to July. 2,200,000. That's a trend I can get behind. I wanna talk to Brian from Gaffney. Brian, you were at the event with Lindsey Graham? Yes, sir, Charlie. I went there, last week. I promised I'd take my wife out to eat for lunch Yeah. About a week ago. And this is before I I I knew I was to be off work. This is before I knew Lindsey Graham would be there. Right. And once I found out Lindsey Graham would be there, I decided that's where we're going. Oh, wait a minute. Hold on. This are you the Brian? Yes, sir. I am. You are the Brian. So can I say your name? Yeah. Brian Franks. Brian Franks. There you go. Alright. There you go. You were the guy that had the signs. Right? Yes, sir. I made them at home. So why why did you so tell us the whole story. What was all that about? Well, I made them, not to go in there into his rally with those signs. I made them, and I put them all over my car, taped them to outside of my window, all four windows, the back and the front. And I wanted to park by the road so other people can see. Right. But I wasn't wearing anything inappropriate or anything anti Graham when I went in there. And when I got to the door, Lindsey Graham's people would not let me in. They would not. They said it was a pry private, gathering. You're not you can't you're not welcome. I said, what do you mean? This is public. I heard it on the radio. It's public. And I found out the reason why is I am one of the admins on the dump Lindsey Graham 2026 Facebook page. Were you were you wearing the dump Lindsey hat when you walked in? No. I was wearing my Disney hat, actually. Okay. And I got I got the Dump Lindsey hat from a friend of mine once I got there. So did you who who was the well, I don't wanna know the name, but there was a guy there that got his picture taken. He had that cap on backwards, and on the back of it, it said That was me. That was you? Okay. Okay. Alright. So you did get in? Yes. I I I didn't get in the part where he was speaking. Okay. I tried to get in there before Lindsay even showed up, and his people recognized me because I run the Facebook, dump Lindsey Graham 2026 page. Me and a few other guys started it in 02/2007, and I kept not having to change the year over the last several years. Yeah. We wanna dump them. So you got you got you did not get a welcomed response from Lindsey Graham's people? I did not. I did give one of my signs to a fellow I met in the area I was in eating at the Beacon, and he got behind Lindsay with the cameras behind, that were pointing at him. And then I I went to my car, and I grabbed two more signs that I got behind Lindsay at the cameras. And I was told by the officer to please leave this area. Ah, I guess because you were behind them in security issues and all of that according to them. I was behind I was behind the window. Yeah. So the window was right behind Lindsey Graham, and I wanted the cameras to see because I knew the news was there. Yeah. So, what is the response been from what because we know that, you know, some folks over there, Nate Loype, has spoken out against your your actions. Several other people have. How do you feel? Was this just a freedom of speech issue? It is. And, Lindsey Graham, we've been wanting to get rid of him, and I know I know ...
President Trump is ordering a new census that will not include illegal aliens. What does this mean for the future of the country? Jesse Kelly chats with Mark Krikorian of the Center for Immigration Studies. Jesse also speaks with journalist and activist Tommy Robinson, who continues to battle with British authorities over immigration rhetoric. Plus, Alex Marlow unveils shocking revelations about the Biden White House's role in the 2024 election lawfare against Donald Trump. I'm Right with Jesse Kelly on The First TV | 8-7-25 Pure Talk: Go to https://www.puretalk.com/JESSETV to make the switch Choq: Visit https://choq.com/jessetv for a 17.76% discount on your CHOQ subscription for life The Fresh Pressed Olive Oil Club: Go to https://FarmFresh246.com & get your first $39 bottle free with no obligation or commitment.Follow The Jesse Kelly Show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheJesseKellyShowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Center for Immigration Studies has released a new podcast examining the findings of a recent report, The Foreign-Born Population at the State and Regional Level, 1850 to 2025. The report shows that the foreign-born population – defined as anyone not a U.S. citizen at birth – has reached record levels at the state and […]
The Center for Immigration Studies has released a new podcast examining the findings of a recent report, The Foreign-Born Population at the State and Regional Level, 1850 to 2025. The report shows that the foreign-born population – defined as anyone not a U.S. citizen at birth – has reached record levels at the state and regional levels. While the Center regularly highlights national-level immigration trends, this new analysis offers a unique look at state-by-state growth and its implications on schools, wages, healthcare, and working-class Americans. Steven Camarota, lead author of the report and the Center's director of research, discusses the following findings with host Mark Krikorian:Since 1980, the foreign-born population has grown 578 percent in the South and increased 10-fold or more in four states: Georgia, North Carolina, Nevada, and Tennessee. It increased at least seven-fold in five other states: South Carolina, Arizona, Utah, Texas, and Alabama. In an additional 17 states it increased more than four-fold.The foreign-born share of the population has hit historic highs in 14 states and reached a numerical record in 31 states and D.C.From 1980 to 2025, the foreign-born population grew eight times faster than the U.S.-born population nationwide – and 20 times faster in 17 states. In today's commentary, Krikorian highlights a new E-Verify report from the Center that examines enforcement challenges. The core problem, the report notes, is not the system itself but identity theft. One key reform: Congress should require states to grant DHS access to driver's license photos to strengthen verification efforts.HostMark Krikorian is the Executive Director of the Center for Immigration Studies.GuestSteven Camarota is the Director of Research of the Center for Immigration Studies.RelatedThe Foreign-Born Population at the State and Regional Level, 1850 to 2025E-Verify and the Invasion of the Identity SnatchersIntro 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.Candidate Trump in 2015 campaign speech.Charlton Heston in "Planet of the Apes".
The Center for Immigration Studies is proud to release the latest episode of Parsing Immigration Policy, featuring the opening statements from our 2025 congressional testimony. Since January, CIS experts have testified seven times before the U.S. House and Senate, appearing before committees on Homeland Security, Oversight, and Judiciary. These opening statements reflect the breadth of […]
The Center for Immigration Studies is proud to release the latest episode of Parsing Immigration Policy, featuring the opening statements from our 2025 congressional testimony. Since January, CIS experts have testified seven times before the U.S. House and Senate, appearing before committees on Homeland Security, Oversight, and Judiciary. These opening statements reflect the breadth of CIS expertise on border enforcement, parole policy, visa integrity, NGO influence, detention operations, and more.Highlights include:Biden's Border Betrayal: Criminal Aliens in America — U.S. Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Border Security & Immigration (Andrew R. Arthur, July 22)The Fiscal Consequences of Parole During the Biden Administration — House Homeland Security Oversight Subcommittee (Steven A. Camarota, July 15)Restoring Integrity and Security to the Visa Process — House Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee (Jessica M. Vaughan, June 25)Public Funds, Private Agendas: NGOs Gone Wild — House Oversight Subcommittee on Government Efficiency (Mark Krikorian, June 4)Examining Threats to ICE Operations — House Judiciary Oversight Subcommittee (Andrew R. Arthur, May 20)Restoring Immigration Enforcement in America — House Judiciary Committee (Jessica M. Vaughan, January 22)Remain in Mexico — Senate Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee (Andrew R. Arthur, January 16)HostMark Krikorian is the Executive Director of the Center for Immigration Studies.GuestCenter staff testimony.RelatedCenter testimony pageIntro 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.Candidate Trump in 2015 campaign speech.Charlton Heston in "Planet of the Apes".
On this episode of Future of Freedom, host Scot Bertram is joined by two guests with different viewpoints about the Trump administrations' handling of immigration enforcement. First on the show is J.D. Tuccille, a former managing editor of Reason.com and current contributing editor. Later, we hear from Mark Krikorian, Executive Director of the Center for Immigration Studies. You can find J.D. on X at @JD_Tuccille and Mark at @MarkSKrikorian.
The latest episode of Parsing Immigration Policy, the Center for Immigration Studies' podcast, delves into the role of immigration detention in U.S. enforcement efforts. Hosted by Mark Krikorian, the discussion features insights from Andrew Arthur, a former immigration judge and the Center's Fellow in Law and Policy, who stresses that detention is required to ensure […]
The latest episode of Parsing Immigration Policy, the Center for Immigration Studies' podcast, delves into the role of immigration detention in U.S. enforcement efforts. Hosted by Mark Krikorian, the discussion features insights from Andrew Arthur, a former immigration judge and the Center's Fellow in Law and Policy, who stresses that detention is required to ensure integrity of the immigration system.Highlights:Purpose of Detention: Detention serves administrative functions, ensuring individuals appear for hearings and are available for removal if ordered.Failure to Appear: 34 percent of alien respondents in immigration court fail to appear at some point during the removal proceeding process. Respondents in detention must appear in court whether they want to or not, so the no-show rate is effectively zero, which skews the overall rate of what are termed “in absentia” cases.Legal Mandates under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA): Detention of aliens subject to removal proceedings is mandatory under various provisions of the INA, including individuals apprehended entering illegally, criminal aliens post-incarceration, and those under final removal orders.Detention Capacity: The lack of detention space is causing a bottleneck in enforcement. The “Big Beautiful Bill” expands detention capacity. potentially increasing bed space by 80,000.Detention Standards: ICE follows the Performance-Based National Detention Standards – the gold standard of care and higher than conventional jail standards.State and Local Roles: States can assist by providing facilities, with federal reimbursement, to support detention efforts. Examples include Alligator Alcatraz in Florida and soft-sided facilities on military bases in New Jersey and Indiana.In today's commentary, Mark Krikorian, podcast host and executive director of the Center, highlights The Dignity Act, introduced by Representative Maria Elvira Salazar (R-Fla.). The bill handcuffs immigration enforcement in many ways, amnesties millions, and increases legal immigration, reminding us that the open borders, pro amnesty advocates will never stop pushing their agenda.HostMark Krikorian is the Executive Director of the Center for Immigration Studies.GuestAndrew Arthur is the Resident Fellow in Law and Policy at the Center for Immigration Studies.RelatedThe Role of Immigration Detention and Why It is NeededThe ‘Dignity Act': Amnesty for 12 million now plus more than five million extra immigrants over the next decadeThe Price of “Dignity”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.Candidate Trump in 2015 campaign speech.Charlton Heston in "Planet of the Apes".
Mark Krikorian is a nationally recognized expert on immigration issues serving as the Executive Director of Center for Immigration Studies. They are an independent, non-partisan research organization examining and critiquing the impact of immigration on the United States. Jim opened up the program with a news item from BizPac Review. They reported that immigration agents arrested a 52 year old illegal migrant accused of storing and abusing the corpse of an Illinois woman on his property months after she died from a drug overdose. Day after day we continue to hear of illegal immigrant crimes, yet despite the fact that ICE agents are doing their job protecting citizens from such individuals, according to DHS, ICE enforcement officers are facing an 830% increase in assaults against themselves. In addition, there are mayors and governors actively opposing the actions of ICE agents, with their efforts clearly showing their priority of those here illegally versus the safety and security of U.S. citizens. This edition of Crosstalk is an important one as it will help you understand why the Trump administration is executing immigration enforcement the way they are. You'll also begin to understand why so many people are against such steps, in spite of the crimes caused by some illegal immigrants.
Mark Krikorian is a nationally recognized expert on immigration issues serving as the Executive Director of Center for Immigration Studies. They are an independent, non-partisan research organization examining and critiquing the impact of immigration on the United States. Jim opened up the program with a news item from BizPac Review. They reported that immigration agents arrested a 52 year old illegal migrant accused of storing and abusing the corpse of an Illinois woman on his property months after she died from a drug overdose. Day after day we continue to hear of illegal immigrant crimes, yet despite the fact that ICE agents are doing their job protecting citizens from such individuals, according to DHS, ICE enforcement officers are facing an 830% increase in assaults against themselves. In addition, there are mayors and governors actively opposing the actions of ICE agents, with their efforts clearly showing their priority of those here illegally versus the safety and security of U.S. citizens. This edition of Crosstalk is an important one as it will help you understand why the Trump administration is executing immigration enforcement the way they are. You'll also begin to understand why so many people are against such steps, in spite of the crimes caused by some illegal immigrants.
We are now at a "use it or lose it" stage of immigration enforcement. Today I discuss the amnesty bill written by Rep. Maria Salazar (R-Fla.) and why, in conjunction with Trump's support for agriculture worker amnesty, it is a real concern. I also prove why the rebellion against Trump over Epstein is not real and will not change the current political trajectory. Next, we're joined by George Fishman of the Center for Immigration Studies to discuss the lies of farm worker amnesty. Fishman wrote an important piece explaining how the same excuses for the farm industry are what led to the failures of the 1986 amnesty. It created a vicious cycle of amnesty and more importation of cheap labor by incentivizing farms never to mechanize and to continue relying on the cheapest labor the politicians are willing to import. We also discuss what it will take to bump up deportations. If we fail to do so, there is a real likelihood that Trump will make an aggressive push for amnesty at the end of his presidency. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In the latest episode of the Parsing Immigration Policy podcast, host and the Center's executive director Mark Krikorian sits down with Gaby Pacheco, an Ecuador-born “Dreamer” and President and CEO of TheDream.US.Krikorian, a long-time critic of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), and Pacheco, now an American citizen, discuss the history and politics of the Dream Act and DACA.Opportunity Lost: Despite holding 60 Senate seats during the first year of the Obama administration, Democrats chose not to move a legislative amnesty for Dreamers – illegal aliens who entered the United States at a young age.What is DACA?: Having failed to pass an amnesty for Dreamers, President Obama bypassed Congress in 2012 and through executive action created DACA, which provides some of the benefits of the Dream Act, including protection from deportation and employment authorization, to certain illegal aliens who entered the U.S. before age 16. Its legality has been the subject of litigation.Origins of the Idea for DACA: Pacheco recounts how, having failed to pass the Dream Act through Congress, the administrative approach of DACA was inspired by a 2003 private bill by Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program, which provides “temporary” protection from deportation and work authorization eligibility for nationals in the U.S. of countries that have experienced natural disaster or civil strife.Trump's 2018 offer: The Trump administration proposed a legislative package that would have given proper legal status to DACA recipients and other DACA-eligible illegal immigrants, covering perhaps as many as 2 million people, in exchange for key reforms in the legal immigration system. It failed in the House.Looking ahead: Will Congress address DACA?HostMark Krikorian is the Executive Director of the Center for Immigration Studies.GuestGaby Pacheco is the President and CEO of TheDream.US.RelatedTheDream.USIntro 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.Candidate Trump in 2015 campaign speech.Charlton Heston in "Planet of the Apes".
In this week's episode of Parsing Immigration Policy, Jessica Vaughan, the Center's Director of Policy Studies, expands on her recent testimony before the U.S. House immigration subcommittee on “Restoring Integrity and Security to the Visa Process”.Under the Biden administration, the number of visa applications and issuances increased significantly, which created difficulties for vetting and greater opportunity for visa fraud. Along with host and Center Executive Director Mark Krikorian, Vaughan explores various actions that can be taken by Congress or the Trump administration to address these risks.Vaughan identifies several possible changes that could be made administratively.Change the culture of customer service at USCIS and State Department that encourages adjudicators to “get to yes”Require mandatory interviews of all visa applicantsNarrow the default authorized duration of stay for short-term tourist and business visas to 30 days instead of an automatic six monthsVaughan also discusses visa categories that she believes should be reviewed by Congress to decide if they need to be managed more closely, cut back, or eliminated altogether, including:Diversity LotteryU and T visasSpecial Immigrant Juvenile visasOptional Practical TrainingJ visasIn his closing commentary, Mark Krikorian looks inside the “Big Beautiful Bill” and what its enactment means for immigration policy.HostMark Krikorian in the Executive Director of the Center for Immigration Studies.GuestJessica Vaughan is a Director of Policy Studies at the Center for Immigration Studies.RelatedJessica Vaughan's oral and written statementsVideo of the full hearing, plus all written witness statementsOverview of Immigration Provisions in H.R.1, the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act'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.Candidate Trump in 2015 campaign speech.Charlton Heston in "Planet of the Apes".
This week's episode of the Parsing Immigration Policy podcast explores a topic rarely covered in the media: marriage fraud. Guest host Marguerite Telford, the Center's Director of Communications, sits down with Richard Lee, a former USCIS Immigration Officer and author, to discuss how sham marriages are orchestrated to gain a green card—and eventually citizenship—often then bringing extended family members through chain migration. They also examine how existing U.S. laws and loopholes make it easier for bad actors to exploit the system, in part, by sharing real-life stories.Key topics:What is marriage fraud? A marriage entered with the primary intention of securing immigration benefits—green cards, citizenship, and eventual chain migration.Types of marriage fraudSingle scheme marriage (friendship marriages)Single scheme one sided marriage (U.S. citizen used and defrauded)Arranged marriage (a paid broker is used and includes fraud rings)Cases of marriage fraudThe Numbers: Rich Lee draws on his USCIS experience in Atlanta, where he uncovered approximately 3,000 marriage-fraud cases over three years, primarily involving immigrant communities common to the region – the two most common foreign nationals involved were from Nigeria and Ghana.Where do brokers find the U.S. citizens to exploit?Lee discusses how homeless people are preyed upon.VAWA fraudAliens exploit the Violence Against Women Act, a federal law that provides protection for victims of domestic violence. The law provides an easy pathway to a green card due to a huge bias towards the alien, who can claim abuse and then self-petition for a green card, all without any in-person interview. This claim of abuse often takes place without the alleged abuser's knowledge. No evidence or information can be taken from the alleged abuser or his family.Telford questions whether it would be a good idea to amend the law so abuse can be contested – maybe adding an adversarial proceeding before an immigration judge.Lee believes that VAWA cases should be taken away from the Vermont Service Center.Lee also believes that in-person interviews should be required to safeguard against fraudulent misuse.USCIS cultureLee explains that he experienced a shift in the agency's culture during his time as an immigration officer. USCIS is now focused almost exclusively on serving immigrants with little support provided to U.S. citizens.Victims are encouraged to report fraud on the ICE tipline:1-866-DHS-2-ICE or ICE.gov/tiplineHostMarguerite Telford is the Director of Communications at the Center for Immigration Studies.GuestRichard Lee is a former USCIS Immigration Officer and author.RelatedAfter the Border: 42 Eye-Opening, Shocking, Crazy, Happy & Fun Stories from a Retired U.S. Immigration OfficerIntro 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.Candidate Trump in 2015 campaign speech.Charlton Heston in "Planet of the Apes".
Andrew Arthur is Resident Fellow in Law and Policy for the Center for Immigration Studies. It's amazing that we have public officials who are "linking arms" with those who attack individuals that work for our safety and security. That is the current state of affairs as America's war on illegal immigration continues. Andrew indicated this has been going on ever since Donald Trump came back into office. He also noted that while we can have differences of opinion with the policies carried out by the executive branch and the governors in each state, at a minimum he believes we should have respect and support for law enforcement; those who put themselves between us and the dangers we face on a daily basis. According to Andrew, under the Biden administration, 8 million people came into the U.S., yet only a handful were ever vetted. How has the Trump administration been doing in this war thus far? Preliminary estimates from DHS show that about 239,000 individuals here unlawfully (75% of which were criminal aliens) have been arrested and about 207,000 have been removed from the U.S. At the same time, about one million people have self deported. Keep in mind that while the work is getting done, there are other facets to this war that require great attention as well. For example, there are issues such as birthright citizenship, 3rd country removal orders, the threat of sleeper cells, needed detention space, and much more. So get caught up on this critical issue by reviewing this edition of Crosstalk.
Andrew Arthur is Resident Fellow in Law and Policy for the Center for Immigration Studies. It's amazing that we have public officials who are "linking arms" with those who attack individuals that work for our safety and security. That is the current state of affairs as America's war on illegal immigration continues. Andrew indicated this has been going on ever since Donald Trump came back into office. He also noted that while we can have differences of opinion with the policies carried out by the executive branch and the governors in each state, at a minimum he believes we should have respect and support for law enforcement; those who put themselves between us and the dangers we face on a daily basis. According to Andrew, under the Biden administration, 8 million people came into the U.S., yet only a handful were ever vetted. How has the Trump administration been doing in this war thus far? Preliminary estimates from DHS show that about 239,000 individuals here unlawfully (75% of which were criminal aliens) have been arrested and about 207,000 have been removed from the U.S. At the same time, about one million people have self deported. Keep in mind that while the work is getting done, there are other facets to this war that require great attention as well. For example, there are issues such as birthright citizenship, 3rd country removal orders, the threat of sleeper cells, needed detention space, and much more. So get caught up on this critical issue by reviewing this edition of Crosstalk.
This week's episode of the Parsing Immigration Policy podcast delves into the Insurrection Act, its historical uses, and whether it could legally authorize the use of the military to assist in the arrest and removal of illegal aliens.The Insurrection Act allows presidents to deploy federal troops not only in cases of insurrection but also when federal law can't practicably be enforced through conventional means. The Posse Comitatus Act, which many point to as preventing such a use of troops, is not the obstacle many assume it is.President Trump so far has only tasked troops with protection of federal facilities and agents, but, if he chooses to exercise it, he does have authority under the Insurrection Act to put them to work actually enforcing immigration law.“The Insurrection Act has been invoked by leaders of both parties to protect civil rights and to enforce federal law. President Trump would have ample justification to use the Insurrection Act to allow the U.S. military to assist with large-scale deportation efforts,” said podcast guest George Fishman, Senior Legal Fellow at the Center for Immigration Studies and former Deputy General Counsel at DHS.Historical precedent:Over the past more than 200 years, presidents have relied on the Insurrection Act to deal with some 30 crises.Presidents of both parties have relied on the Insurrection Act: Grant to suppress the early KKK, Cleveland to protect Chinese immigrants, Eisenhower, Kennedy, and Johnson to enforce civil rights for African Americans, Bush to restore order during the 1992 LA riots.Misconceptions about the Posse Comitatus Act (PCA):The PCA does not apply where Congress has explicitly authorized military use — such as under the Insurrection Act.Immigration enforcement today:More than 15 million illegal aliens are in the U.S.3.6 million backlog in immigration court.1.4 million aliens have final removal orders, yet remain at large. Millions of removable aliens were released by the Biden administration, and ICE has no knowledge of their location.ICE has only 6,000 officers to manage enforcement nationwide.HostMark Krikorian is the Executive Director of the Center for Immigration StudiesGuestGeorge Fishman is the Senior Legal Fellow at the Center for Immigration StudiesRelatedDon't Fear the Insurrection ActPresident Trump Doesn't Need to Invoke the Insurrection Act — He Already HasIntro 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.Candidate Trump in 2015 campaign speech.Charlton Heston in "Planet of the Apes".
Contrary to Trump's assertion that we need illegal alien farm workers, today I explain how they actually serve the business model of the cartels, bringing drug trafficking, crime, drunk driving, and cultural subversion into our most pristine rural counties. We're joined by Jason Richwine, a resident scholar at the Center for Immigration Studies, who blows up the myth that entire industries absolutely need foreign labor to function. We touch on economic arguments, but also cultural problems. This farm labor greed is destroying the social cohesion of many communities. He also explains the problem with Trump's plans to expand foreign student university attendance and grant them green cards. Also, what's up with the Trump Gold Cards? How do we know the recipients are not subversive people? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode, Lisa interviews Mark Krikorian, executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies, about U.S. immigration policy. They discuss the effectiveness of Trump-era enforcement measures, the concept of self-deportation, and the economic impact of illegal immigration. Krikorian critiques current policies, emphasizing the importance of national sovereignty and the need for practical reforms like mandatory e-verify. The Truth with Lisa Boothe is part of the Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Podcast Network - new episodes debut every Tuesday & Thursday. To learn more about Mark CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode of The President's Daily Brief: Riots erupt across Los Angeles and other U.S. cities in response to ICE operations, with vehicles torched and streets shut down. Mark Krikorian, Executive Director of the Center for Immigration Studies, joins us to assess the situation Iran rejects the latest U.S. proposal to curb uranium enrichment. Jonathan Sayeh from the Foundation for Defense of Democracies explains what Iran's move means for the stalled negotiations Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The President's Daily Brief. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Center for Immigration Studies releases a new podcast episode focusing on the 287(g) program, an ICE initiative that empowers and trains local law enforcement to help identify and detain illegal aliens involved in criminal activity. The Center's director of policy studies Jessica Vaughan joins host Mark Krikorian to explain how the program works, why […]
In the 6 AM hour, Larry O’Connor and Julie Gunlock discussed: CNN: RFK Jr. removes all current members of CDC vaccine advisory committee WMAL GUEST: MARK KRIKORIAN (Executive Director, Center for Immigration Studies) on the LA chaos BBC: Trump sends another 2,000 National Guards and 700 Marines to LA on fourth day of unrest DAILY MAIL: Elon Musk slaps down salacious claims by his own AI Grok about Trump aide Stephen Miller's wife Where to find more about WMAL's morning show: Follow Podcasts on Apple, Audible and Spotify Follow WMAL's "O'Connor and Company" on X: @WMALDC, @LarryOConnor, @JGunlock, @PatricePinkfile, and @HeatherHunterDC Facebook: WMALDC and Larry O'Connor Instagram: WMALDC Website: WMAL.com/OConnor-Company Episode: Tuesday, June 10, 2025 / 6 AM HourSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
President Trump sent in the National Guard to quell protests caused by ICE raids. LA Times reporter Rachel Uranga covered the chaos, which Mark Krikorian from the Center for Immigration Studies defends. This episode was produced by Devan Schwartz and Denise Guerra with help from Miles Bryan, edited by Amina Al-Sadi with help from Miranda Kennedy, fact-checked by Victoria Chamberlin and Avishay Artsy, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Andrea Kristinsdottir, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast. National Guard troops in downtown Los Angeles on Sunday. Photo by Denise Guerra/Vox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
With foreign student visas at Harvard and elsewhere in the news, today's episode of Parsing Immigration Policy features Andrew Arthur, the Center for Immigration Studies fellow in law and policy, providing a crash course on the subject. He explains the foreign student admissions process, the responsibilities of schools certified to enroll foreign students, and recent […]
Today's podcast begins with our awesome host, Mike Slater, going over some "abuela stories". We're all comfortable with deporting criminal illegal immigrants, but how comfortable are you with having ICE round up little old ladies and sending them back to their home countries? Slater tackles this thorny subject as best he can.Following the opener, Mike welcomes Steven A. Camarota, Director of Research for the Center for Immigration Studies, onto the show to gab about how many foreign-born people are actually in the USA and what their impact on our culture truly is. It's an entertaining and informative discussion and you'll want to hear it!
Putting President Trump's historic border crackdown in context, through an exclusive AM Update interview with Center for Immigration Studies fellow Todd Bensman. President Trump conducts a "first 100 days" media tour, including with The Atlantic despite years of open hostility from the magazine. Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley fires back at critics after golfing with President Trump ahead of the his team's White House visit celebrating their Super Bowl win.Lean: Visit https://TakeLean.com & use code MK20 for 20% offTax Network USA: Call 1-800-958-1000 or visit https://TNUSA.com/MEGYNto speak with a strategist for FREE today
Trump is fresh off a big SCOTUS win on immigration, but 14 million is a lot of illegals to remove. Mark Krikorian of the Center for Immigration Studies explains the barriers to faster deportation and how the Trump Admin can clear the way. Plus, Ken Paxton discusses his Senate challenge against RINO John Cornyn, and Eric Metaxas reflects on the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer 80 years after his heroic death fighting against Hitler. Watch ad-free on members.charliekirk.com!Support the show: http://www.charliekirk.com/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.