Immigration isn't just about headlines—it's about Nobel laureates, World Series MVPs, and medical breakthroughs that save lives. In this year’s end special, Lauren Clarke welcomes back Forbes senior contributor Stuart Anderson to preview his annual "Most Inspiring Immigration Stories" article.

From Omar Yagi's journey from refugee to Nobel Prize winner in chemistry, to Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto's heroic World Series performance, to a groundbreaking cancer treatment discovered by a PhD student who annoyed her lab mates—these stories reveal the extraordinary contributions immigrants make when America opens its doors. Plus, the remarkable legacy of Charles Watts, who sponsored over 300 Vietnamese refugees. What do these diverse stories tell us about innovation, opportunity, and America itself?

SHOW RESOURCE LINKS:

The Most Inspiring Immigration Stories Of 2025: https://www.forbes.com/sites/stuartanderson/

https://nfap.com/about-us/biographies/

GUEST: Stuart Anderson/Executive Director, National Foundation for American Policy, Senior Contributor to Forbes

HOST: Lauren Clarke

PRODUCER: Adam Belmar

2025 marked an unprecedented transformation in U.S. immigration policy. Executive orders attempting to end birthright citizenship, expand travel bans, and suspend refugee programs— along with the chaotic H-1B fee proclamation — fundamentally reshaped both legal and humanitarian immigration pathways.

In this episode, immigration policy strategist Maunica Sthanki joins host Lauren Clarke to examine the executive action-heavy approach, constitutional challenges, and what 217+ executive orders reveal about presidential power limits. They explore the real-world impacts on refugees, employment-based immigration, and asylum seekers—and what polling data suggests about public perception shifting as restrictive policies play out.

Plus, Rob Taylor covers breaking news on Haiti TPS, enhanced vetting requirements, and global immigration tightening trends as we head into 2026's midterm election year.

GUEST: Maunica Sthanki, Immigration Policy and Advocacy Strategist

HOST: Lauren Clarke

NEWS NERD: Rob Taylor

PRODUCER: Adam Belmar

Resource Links: https://www.sthankistrategies.com/

Beyond the headlines about the workforce and the economy lies a visa category designed for something deeper: human connection.

In this episode, Immigration Nerds host Lauren Clarke explores the J-1 Cultural Exchange Program with Lisa Murray, Director of the Exchange Program at the American Immigration Council. From camp counselors to research scholars, the J-1 brings thousands of cultural ambassadors to American communities each year. These visitors are not in the US to fill permanent jobs, but to build bridges of understanding that transcend borders.

Lisa shares her own teenage exchange experience and explains why these temporary programs matter now more than ever, challenging misconceptions while revealing how cultural diplomacy creates ripple effects that strengthen communities and international relationships for decades to come.

GUEST: Lisa Murray, Director, Exchange Program | American Immigration Council

HOST: Lauren Clarke

NEWS NERD: Rob Taylor

PRODUCER: Adam Belmar

Resource Links:

American Immigration Council

US Exchange Visitor Visa