Épisodes

  • Immigration Policy Failures Seen Through a Father’s Loss

    Immigration Policy Failures Seen Through a Father’s Loss
    Dec 18 2025
    A new Center for Immigration Studies podcast episode examines the real-world consequences of immigration and public safety policies through the story of Katie Abraham, a 20-year-old college student killed by an illegal alien in a DUI hit-and-run crash in the sanctuary state of Illinois.

    Guest host Marguerite Telford, the Center’s Director of Communications, speaks with Joe Abraham, Katie’s father, about the night his daughter and another young woman were killed when an illegal alien driving at nearly 80 miles per hour struck their car while it was stopped at a traffic light. Three additional young women were seriously injured. The driver fled the scene and was later apprehended in Texas while attempting to flee to Mexico.

    Abraham details how the suspect had previously been deported, returned illegally in 2022, and was living under an alias using false identification. He recently accepted a plea offer of 30 years and now faces federal prosecution for passport misuse, false statements, identity fraud, falsification of a Social Security card, and related offenses. “This was never political for us,” Abraham says. “But policies matter. Leadership matters. And common-sense enforcement could save lives.”

    Discussion topics include:
    • Sanctuary policies and their impact on public safety.
    • How an illiterate illegal alien obtained a driver’s license without receiving any vetting.
    • The role of prevention – through enforcement and screening – rather than reacting after crimes occur.
    • The lack of engagement from state leaders and victim advocacy organizations, including Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).
    • The human cost of immigration policies.
    • The importance of the DHS VOICE Office in supporting victims and their families.
    Host

    Marguerite Telford is the Director of Communications at the Center for Immigration Studies

    Guest

    Joe Abraham is the father of Katie Abraham, a 20-year-old college student killed by an illegal alien

    Related

    An illegal immigrant killed my daughter. Katie and Illinois are both getting justice

    Sanctuary policies failed my daughter and my state

    Joe Abraham: We all share my daughter Katie’s legacy — and her death must still mean something

    Intro Montage

    Voices in the opening montage:
    • Sen. Barack Obama at a 2005 press conference.
    • Sen. John McCain in a 2010 election ad.
    • President Lyndon Johnson, upon signing the 1965 Immigration Act.
    • Booker T. Washington, reading in 1908 from his 1895 Atlanta Exposition speech.
    • Laraine Newman as a "Conehead" on SNL in 1977.
    • Hillary Clinton in a 2003 radio interview.
    • Cesar Chavez in a 1974 interview.
    • House Speaker Nancy Pelosi speaking to reporters in 2019.
    • Prof. George Borjas in a 2016 C-SPAN appearance.
    • Sen. Jeff Sessions in 2008 comments on the Senate floor.
    • Candidate Trump in 2015 campaign speech.
    • Charlton Heston in "Planet of the Apes".
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    37 min
  • Influence Campaigns Inside Evangelical Institutions

    Influence Campaigns Inside Evangelical Institutions
    Dec 11 2025
    This week’s episode features Megan Basham, culture reporter for The Daily Wire and author of Shepherds for Sale: How evangelical leaders traded the truth for a leftist agenda, to discuss her reporting on how major philanthropic networks, political groups, and federal funding streams have shaped the policy positions of several large evangelical institutions on immigration issues such as open borders, refugee resettlement, and amnesties.Basham outlines how organizations like World Relief, the humanitarian arm of the National Association of Evangelicals and a federally funded refugee-resettlement contractor, have become influential voices within evangelical leadership. She discusses her findings on the financial and philanthropic support behind campaigns such as the Evangelical Immigration Table, which was created to push support behind left-wing causes, like open borders.In the episode, Basham walks through her reporting on efforts by political and foundation-backed groups to partner with major denominations, develop Bible-study curricula, and promote messaging on immigration within Christian colleges and ministries. She also describes the tension emerging between national-level leadership and many congregants, noting recent pushback inside denominations like the Southern Baptist Convention. The conversation broadens to examine why institutional leaders in multiple religious traditions – Protestant, Catholic, Mormon, and Jewish – often adopt policy positions that differ from the views of the people in the pews.The episode also looks at ongoing debates inside evangelical circles about mission work and refugee policy. Should churches be importing targets for witness instead of going where these people are to preach the gospel?HostMark Krikorian is the Executive Director of the Center for Immigration StudiesGuestMegan Basham is the culture reporter for The Daily WireRelatedReligious NGO that Settled Afghan Shooter Condemned Trump for Additional Vetting OrderShepherds for Sale: How evangelical leaders traded the truth for a leftist agendaRaking in Hundreds of Millions for Trafficking Kids Destroys U.S. Catholic Bishops' Credibility on ImmigrationSomali Immigrants in MinnesotaMotor-Voter Law Often Lures Non-Citizens into Voting Illegally‘Operation Allies Welcome’: Parole, Benefits, Vetting GapsIntro 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".
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    36 min
  • Judicial Obstruction of Efforts to Control Immigration

    Judicial Obstruction of Efforts to Control Immigration
    Dec 4 2025
    This week’s Parsing Immigration Policy podcast features another panel discussion from the third annual conference of the International Network for Immigration Research (INIR), convened recently in Washington. The three speakers each discuss various types of lawfare affecting the enforcement of immigration laws in the U.S. and European countries.

    Matt O'Brien, Deputy Executive Director at the Federation for American Immigration Reform, explained how lawsuits and judicial interference have hampered the implementation of policy in the United States.

    Simon Hankinson, Senior Research Fellow at the Heritage Foundation, described how migrants’ use and abuse of asylum courts has led to a never-ending flow into the United Kingdom.

    Viktor Marsai, Executive Director of the Budapest-based Migration Research Institute, delved into how rulings by the European Court of Human Rights have made it more difficult for European Union member states to protect their borders.

    In light of last week’s attack on National Guard members by an Afghan national, Mark Krikorian concludes the episode with a summary of his recent National Review op-ed explaining the limitations of vetting and the need to adjust our immigration policies accordingly.

    Host

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

    Guest

    Matt O'Brien is the Deputy Executive Director at the Federation for American Immigration Reform

    Simon Hankinson is a Senior Research Fellow at the Heritage Foundation

    Viktor Marsai is the Executive Director of the Migration Research Institute

    Related

    Videos of all the sessions of the recent INIR conference

    Vetting in All the Wrong Places

    Intro Montage

    Voices in the opening montage:
    • Sen. Barack Obama at a 2005 press conference.
    • Sen. John McCain in a 2010 election ad.
    • President Lyndon Johnson, upon signing the 1965 Immigration Act.
    • Booker T. Washington, reading in 1908 from his 1895 Atlanta Exposition speech.
    • Laraine Newman as a "Conehead" on SNL in 1977.
    • Hillary Clinton in a 2003 radio interview.
    • Cesar Chavez in a 1974 interview.
    • House Speaker Nancy Pelosi speaking to reporters in 2019.
    • Prof. George Borjas in a 2016 C-SPAN appearance.
    • Sen. Jeff Sessions in 2008 comments on the Senate floor.
    • Candidate Trump in 2015 campaign speech.
    • Charlton Heston in "Planet of the Apes".
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    38 min
  • ‘Industrialized’ Fraud in the H-1B Visa Program

    ‘Industrialized’ Fraud in the H-1B Visa Program
    Nov 20 2025
    In the latest episode of Parsing Immigration Policy, Jessica Vaughan, Director of Policy Studies, sits down with Mahvash Siddiqui, a U.S. Foreign Service officer, to discuss systemic fraud in the H-1B visa program. Speaking in her private capacity, Ms. Siddiqui shares firsthand experiences from her time as a consular officer in Chennai (Madras), India – one of the world’s largest H-1B visa-processing posts – where U.S. officials adjudicated thousands of nonimmigrant visas, including 220,000 H-1Bs and 140,000 H-4 visas for their family members in 2024 alone.

    The episode highlights alarming patterns of fraud affecting the H-1B program, including forged degrees, falsified employment credentials, and the role of third-party staffing companies in bypassing the program’s original rationale of admitting skilled workers to meet temporary shortages. While the Trump administration implemented changes aimed at reorienting the program toward more qualified applicants, Siddiqui emphasizes that widespread political pressure and a very effective Indian lobby here in the U.S. have often undermined quality control.

    The conversation provides insight into the challenges faced by consular officers attempting to curb visa fraud, including under-resourcing, bureaucratic obstacles, and pressure from both local and foreign political actors. The episode concludes with a discussion of potential reforms to ensure the program serves its intended purpose.Videos of the full conference will be posted in the near future.

    Host

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

    Guest

    Mahvash Siddiqui is a U.S. Foreign Service Officer.

    Related

    The H-1B Invasion: Why the U.S. Must Act to Protect American Jobs, Security, and Prosperity

    H-1B: End It, Don't Mend It

    U.S. Chamber of Commerce: On Second Thought, H-1B Isn't for the 'Best and Brightest' After All

    DHS Proposes to Reform the H-1B Selection Process to Favor Higher Paid Workers

    Intro Montage

    Voices in the opening montage:
    • Sen. Barack Obama at a 2005 press conference.
    • Sen. John McCain in a 2010 election ad.
    • President Lyndon Johnson, upon signing the 1965 Immigration Act.
    • Booker T. Washington, reading in 1908 from his 1895 Atlanta Exposition speech.
    • Laraine Newman as a "Conehead" on SNL in 1977.
    • Hillary Clinton in a 2003 radio interview.
    • Cesar Chavez in a 1974 interview.
    • House Speaker Nancy Pelosi speaking to reporters in 2019.
    • Prof. George Borjas in a 2016 C-SPAN appearance.
    • Sen. Jeff Sessions in 2008 comments on the Senate floor.
    • Candidate Trump in 2015 campaign speech.
    • Charlton Heston in "Planet of the Apes".
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    40 min
  • Asylum Reform: Withdraw from the UN Treaty, or Not?

    Asylum Reform: Withdraw from the UN Treaty, or Not?
    Nov 13 2025
    This week’s Parsing Immigration Policy podcast features a panel discussion from the third annual conference of the International Network for Immigration Research (INIR), convened recently in Washington. Mark Krikorian, Executive Director of the Center for Immigration Studies, and Yonatan Jakubowicz, Director of the Israeli Immigration Policy Center, offer contrasting perspectives on how to fix the asylum system – the main vehicle for illegal immigration to the developed world – as established in the 1951 Refugee Convention (often called the Geneva Convention) and the 1967 Protocol.

    Krikorian argues that meaningful asylum reform requires that the United States to withdraw from the UN refugee treaty, restoring national control over immigration decisions. “The Refugee Convention is an asymmetrical agreement that binds democratic countries but does not affect the behavior of non-democratic countries,” he notes.

    Jakubowicz agrees that the asylum system is not working, but he maintains that reform is possible without abandoning the Geneva framework. He points out that the Convention itself leaves wide discretion to states on who qualifies as “lawfully present,” meaning that nations can strengthen enforcement and restrict abuse within the treaty’s existing terms. The key, he argues, is to return to the drafters’ original intent and the plain text – not the expansive interpretations that have emerged over time.

    Both speakers agree that sending illegal-alien asylum-seekers to third countries represents the future of asylum. Unlike the “Remain in Mexico” approach, where illegal border-crossers are still permitted to apply for asylum in the target country, but must do so from outside, what Krikorian calls “Remain in Mongolia” would bar illegal aliens altogether from applying for asylum in the U.S. (or Europe, Israel, etc.), and would send them to a safe country that has an agreement with the U.S. to apply there. Once it becomes clear that simply uttering the word “asylum” is no longer the key to entry or work authorization, far fewer people will attempt to exploit the system.

    Videos of the full conference will be posted in the near future.

    Host

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

    Guest

    Yonatan Jakubowicz Director of the Israeli Immigration Policy Center.
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    30 min
  • Illegal-Immigrant Truck Drivers on America’s Roads

    Illegal-Immigrant Truck Drivers on America’s Roads
    Nov 6 2025
    This week’s episode of the Center for Immigration Studies’ Parsing Immigration Policy podcast features Jennie Taer, reporter for The Daily Wire, discussing how illegal immigrants are obtaining non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) – leading to tragic consequences on America’s roads.Highlights:Fatal consequences: A string of deadly crashes involving illegal immigrant has drawn attention to the risks posed by non-domiciled CDLs.Licensing loophole: Non-domiciled CDLs, created in 2019 for legitimate cross-state work, have been exploited by illegal immigrants and created a cheap labor alternative for trucking companies facing labor shortages.Work permit abuse: The Biden administration’s mass issuance of work permits to asylum applicants – without legal authorization to be here – allows states like California to grant CDLs to ineligible drivers.Lack of enforcement: Many illegal-alien truck drivers arrested did not speak English – despite a federal law requiring road testing be done in English to obtain a CDL.Private school loophole: Private schools in California have been certifying unqualified drivers, with limited state oversight.Legal showdown: Florida is suing California over its licensing practices after an illegal immigrant truck driver killed three residents.Federal response: The Trump has ordered California to reform its licensing policies within 30 days or risk losing $160 million in federal highway funds.ICE enforcement: Immigration and Customs Enforcement has increased roadside checks and weigh-station operations, with several states cooperating to curb illegal driving activity.Broader implications: When states hand out CDLs to illegal immigrants, every state becomes a border state.In this week’s commentary, Mark Krikorian notes that today marks the anniversary of President Reagan signing the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act, which granted amnesty to nearly three million illegal immigrants and made it unlawful to employ them. Billed as a “grand bargain,” it promised enforcement in exchange for legalization – but that promise was never kept, poisoning immigration politics to this day. The enduring lesson, as Mark Krikorian notes, is: real enforcement and system integrity must come before any talk of amnesty.HostMark Krikorian is the Executive Director of the Center for Immigration Studies.GuestJennie Taer is a reporter for The Daily Wire.RelatedJennie Taer Author PageHow Illegal Immigrant Truck Drivers Ended Up on America’s RoadsICE Nabs Over 120 Illegal Immigrant Drivers After Probe Exposes Major Loophole Found in Texas DMVIllegal-Immigrant Trucker ‘No Name Given’ Mocks US Law — and Puts Us in Grave DangerIllegal Immigrant Trucker Reveals Grave DangerBefore Considering Another Amnesty, Look at IRCA's LessonsIntro 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".
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    37 min
  • The Future of Borders and Nationhood

    The Future of Borders and Nationhood
    Oct 30 2025
    This week on Parsing Immigration Policy, Simon Hankinson, Senior Research Fellow at The Heritage Foundation, discusses his new book, The Ten Woke Commandments You Must Not Obey. Two of the book’s chapters focus on immigration: “You Shall Have No Borders” and “You Shall Have No Nation.”

    In the episode, Hankinson explains why the idea of the nation-state is fundamental to civilization and how the erosion of borders threatens both prosperity and safety. He argues that:
    • The open border movement is both ideological and political – a tool to expand government dependency and reshape the electorate.
    • A democracy cannot survive without defined borders; “If you don’t have a country to defend, nothing else matters.”
    • Birthright citizenship and “birth tourism” weaken the meaning of national allegiance and civic responsibility.
    Drawing on his years as a U.S. diplomat in India, Ghana, Fiji, Togo, and Slovakia, Hankinson shares how his first-hand experience with visa processing opened his eyes to migration patterns and visa fraud, shaping his perspective on U.S. immigration policy.

    He also reflects on how free speech, civic duty, and national loyalty intersect in a society increasingly pressured to conform to ideological orthodoxies. (Upcoming Event: Hankinson and Krikorian will join a November 19 Heritage Foundation panel on the H-1B visa program, exploring how it has shifted from filling national needs to displacing American workers, and how it can be reformed.)

    In his closing commentary, Krikorian notes two developments that mark the end of the Biden Border Crisis. First, of course, is the dramatic drop in apprehension numbers. Despite a small uptick in Southwest border arrests in September, the newly released Fiscal Year 2025 total was the lowest in generations. Equally important, though, is the fact that the (much smaller) migrant flow has reverted to traditional patterns – mainly Mexicans, with a few Central Americans – marking an end to the globalized flow from nearly every country on earth in response to Biden administration policies.

    Host

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

    Guest

    Simon Hankinson is a Senior Research Fellow at the Heritage Foundation.

    Related

    Simon Hankinson Bio and Publications

    The Ten Woke Commandments You Must Not Obey

    Despite Uptick in September, FY25 Border Arrests Were the Lowest in Generations

    Migrant Flow Returns to Traditional Demographic Patterns under Trump II

    Intro Montage

    Voices in the opening montage:
    • Sen. Barack Obama at a 2005 press conference.
    • Sen. John McCain in a 2010 election ad.
    • President Lyndon Johnson, upon signing the 1965 Immigration Act.
    • Booker T. Washington, reading in 1908 from his 1895 Atlanta Exposition speech.
    • Laraine Newman as a "Conehead" on SNL in 1977.
    • Hillary Clinton in a 2003 radio interview.
    • Cesar Chavez in a 1974 interview.
    • House Speaker Nancy Pelosi speaking to reporters in 2019.
    • Prof. George Borjas in a 2016 C-SPAN appearance.
    • Sen. Jeff Sessions in 2008 comments on the Senate floor.
    • Candidate Trump in 2015 campaign speech.
    • Charlton Heston in "Planet of the Apes".
    Voir plus Voir moins
    38 min
  • A Deep Dive into Chicago’s Immigration Enforcement Crisis

    A Deep Dive into Chicago’s Immigration Enforcement Crisis
    Oct 23 2025
    This week on Parsing Immigration Policy, Jessica Vaughan, the Center’s Director of Policy, unpacks the ongoing tension in Chicago, as federal and local law enforcement agencies continue to clash over illegal immigration and crime.

    The Trump administration launched Operation “Midway Blitz” in September, sending ICE, Border Patrol, and other federal agents into the Chicago area in an effort to enforce immigration laws where state and local jurisdictions refuse to cooperate. Just back from Illinois, where she met with officers from across the state, Vaughan explains that they recognize the safety implications of unlimited illegal immigration and want to help federal authorities, but sanctuary policies from the city, county, and state tie their hands.

    Vaughan highlights growing crime concerns in Chicago — a clear example, she says, of the public safety crisis created by the Biden administration’s open-border policies. For years, American and transnational gangs alike have taken advantage of the lack of interior enforcement, which is how Cook County became home to nearly 370,000 illegal immigrants, including criminals and violent gangs.

    Today, federal pressure is finally squeezing criminal networks, but it’s making them more violent. With arrests in the Chicago area doubling under the Trump administration and doubling again during Operation Midway Blitz, ICE has taken roughly 3,000 illegal immigrants off the streets, many with criminal records. In response, some transnational gangs are lashing out and turning violent against federal officers threatening their operations.

    This week’s episode is a deep dive into Chicago, but it’s not an isolated example — it’s a case study in what happens when politics blocks public safety. The same challenges are unfolding in other sanctuary cities across the country, like Los Angeles and Portland, Ore.

    Host

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

    Guest

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

    Related

    Enabled by a Federal Judge, Chicago-Area Mayors Seek to Shut Down Immigration Law Enforcement

    Understanding Pritzker’s Dangerous Immigration Game

    Immigration Newsmaker Video: A Conversation with U.S. Border Patrol Chief Michael Banks

    Intro Montage

    Voices in the opening montage:
    • Sen. Barack Obama at a 2005 press conference.
    • Sen. John McCain in a 2010 election ad.
    • President Lyndon Johnson, upon signing the 1965 Immigration Act.
    • Booker T. Washington, reading in 1908 from his 1895 Atlanta Exposition speech.
    • Laraine Newman as a "Conehead" on SNL in 1977.
    • Hillary Clinton in a 2003 radio interview.
    • Cesar Chavez in a 1974 interview.
    • House Speaker Nancy Pelosi speaking to reporters in 2019.
    • Prof. George Borjas in a 2016 C-SPAN appearance.
    • Sen. Jeff Sessions in 2008 comments on the Senate floor.
    • Candidate Trump in 2015 campaign speech.
    • Charlton Heston in "Planet of the Apes".
    Voir plus Voir moins
    35 min