The Immigration Lawyers Podcast | Discussing Visas, Green Cards & Citizenship: Practice & Policy

In-Depth Discussions, Interviews, and Legal Analysis of Immigration Law and Practice with Professionals in the Field, with Host John Khosravi, Esq. Visas, Green Cards, and US Citizenship. Intended for Immigration Lawyers and Attorneys. Attorney Advertisement, please consult with an attorney. info@ImmigrationLawyersToolbox.com

#470 Immigration Practice Updates: Delays, AI & New Rules w/ John Q. Khosravi, Esq. 05/03/2026

#469 Federal Court update w/ Kevin A. Gregg, Esq. [Mar. 2026] 04/17/2026

#468 Practice Tips, Trends & Real Talk for Immigration Lawyers w/ John Q. Khosravi, Esq. 04/17/2026

#467 Habeas Surge, Removal Defense & Law Firm Growth w/ Jennifer Bade, Esq. 04/17/2026

#466 Starting from Scratch to Building a Prosperous Firm w/ Remzi G. Kulen, Esq. 04/13/2026

#465 ICE Check-Ins Are a Trap, Habeas Wins & The Ban List No One Can Keep Up With w/ Ruby Powers, Esq. 04/08/2026

#464 Travel Bans, USCIS Pauses & What Lawyers Are Missing w/ John Q. Khosravi, Esq. 04/04/2026

#463 Federal Court update w/ Kevin A. Gregg, Esq. [Feb. 2026] 03/29/2026

#462 Major EB-1A Victory: Nebraska Court Strikes Down Kazarian Step Two w/ Brian Green, Esq. 03/05/2026

#461 AILA Conference Playbook w/ Roman Zelichenko, JD 03/01/2026

#460 Federal Court update w/ Kevin A. Gregg, Esq. [Jan. 2026] 02/26/2026

#459 Travel Bans, Processing Pauses & Immigration Practice Survival w/ Ruby Powers, Esq. 02/09/2026

#458 Immigration Law Firm Growth, Mergers & Market Shifts w/ Roman Zelichenko, JD 02/03/2026

#457 Federal Court update w/ Kevin A. Gregg, Esq. [Dec. 2025] 02/03/2026

#456 Weekly Immigration Recap [Jan. 5, 2026] 01/12/2026

#455 Immigration Court, Strategy, and Life after the Bench w/ Raisa Cohen, Esq. 01/02/2026

#454 Detention, Habeas, and the New Reality of Immigration Court with Enes Hajdarpasic, Esq. 01/02/2026

#453 Weekly Immigration Recap [Dec. 30, 2025] 01/02/2026

#452 Weekly Immigration Recap [Dec. 23, 2025] 12/26/2025

#452 Weekly Immigration Recap [Dec. 23, 2025] In this episode, John breaks from the traditional “Top 10” format and delivers a wide-ranging weekly update on what’s really happening in immigration law right now. From consular processing challenges and departure detentions to public charge concerns, travel disruptions, paused programs, RFEs, litigation updates, and shifting agency practices, this episode focuses on helping immigration lawyers stay informed, resilient, and prepared in an increasingly volatile environment. John also shares reflections on practice management, client communication, and how to adapt—both mentally and strategically—when the landscape feels overwhelming. | | | Timestamps: 00:00 – Opening 00:33 – Episode intro 04:59 – U.S. departure issues: travelers stopped by CBP while exiting 05:28 – Humanitarian program ends 06:50 – Calls to stop mass ICE raids 07:48 – NTAs issued after I-94 expiration 09:46 – Enhanced identity verification: new photo policy update 11:06 – Trump proposal to legalize marijuana 11:20 – Appeals court keeps Casanova decision limiting ICE arrests without warrants 12:04 – ESTA application updated to request social media and biometric data 14:38 – RFEs issued without reference to underlying case facts 15:56 – Trump “Gold Card” proposal 17:01 – Diversity Visa Lottery paused on the DHS side 17:37 – Jonathan Wasden: prominent immigration litigator suing from an employee’s perspective 17:56 – Upcoming lawsuits related to entry bans; DOS pauses visa applications for certain countries 19:38 – Outro Follow eimmigration by Cerenade: | | Start your Business Immigration Practice! (US LAWYERS ONLY - SCREENING REQUIRED): Get Started in Immigration Law! Our Website: ImmigrationLawyersToolbox.com Not legal advice. Consult with an Attorney. Attorney Advertisement. #podcaster #Lawyer #ImmigrationLawyer #Interview #Immigration #ImmigrationAttorney #USImmigration #ImmigrationLaw #ImmigrationLawyersToolbox /episode/index/show/immigrationlawyerspodcast/id/39535240

#451 Immigration Law Firm Systems, Data & Wellness w/ Ruby Powers, Esq. 12/22/2025

#450 Practical AI Tools for Immigration Law Firms w/ Kevin Andrews, Esq. 12/19/2025

#449 AI, Firm Operations & the Future of Immigration Law w/ Gianfranco De Girolamo, Esq. 12/18/2025

#449 AI, Firm Operations & the Future of Immigration Law w/ Gianfranco De Girolamo, Esq. In Episode 449 of the Immigration Lawyers Toolbox® Podcast, John Q. Khosravi, Esq. welcomes back Gianfranco De Girolamo, Esq. to discuss how AI, automation, and human-centered service are reshaping immigration law practice. They cover AI tools for admin and marketing, data centralization, prompt engineering, social media strategy, live video, and why human connection—not machines—will define successful firms in the years ahead. A must-listen for lawyers building future-ready practices. | | | Learn more about Gianfranco's marketing support service: https://nextlevellawyer.com/ Timestamps: 00:00 – Opening 00:33 – Introduction 02:00 – Will AI Replace Immigration Lawyers? 05:01 – The Right Way to Use AI 06:20 – AI for Managers & Leadership 07:36 – Understanding the Nature of AI 09:00 – Does AI Make You Less Intelligent? 10:44 – AI as a Single Source of Truth (Mistake to Avoid) 12:09 – Implementing AI Agents in Your Business 12:42 – The Master Prompt: How to Guide AI Effectively 13:53 – Mid-Episode Break 14:54 – Using AI for Social Media Scriptwriting 16:10 – How AI Multiplies Creativity 17:11 – How Social Media Algorithms Are Changing 18:34 – Why Going Live Still Matters 21:39 – The Impact & Advantages of Going Live 26:48 – AI’s Global Impact: A World Wide Open 28:05 – Outro 28:18 – Final Closing Live Consular Processing training for lawyers Dec 18, 10:00–11:45 a.m. PT - NVC packets & DS-260 - Interview prep & follow-up - Timelines, fees, and real-world workflows Follow eimmigration by Cerenade: | | Start your Business Immigration Practice! (US LAWYERS ONLY - SCREENING REQUIRED): Get Started in Immigration Law! Our Website: ImmigrationLawyersToolbox.com Not legal advice. Consult with an Attorney. Attorney Advertisement. #podcaster #Lawyer #ImmigrationLawyer #Interview #Immigration #ImmigrationAttorney #USImmigration #ImmigrationLaw #ImmigrationLawyersToolbox /episode/index/show/immigrationlawyerspodcast/id/39449345

#448 John’s Top 10 for Immigration Lawyers [Dec 9, 2025] 12/10/2025

#448 John’s Top 10 for Immigration Lawyers [Dec 9, 2025] Episode 448 covers the Top 10 Immigration Updates of the Week, including the U.S. National Defense Strategy’s immigration impact, DOS social-media vetting, India visa interview delays, reduced EAD validity, USCIS biometrics restrictions, ICE detention numbers, H-1B enforcement expansion, proposed $5,000 arrest fees, Lozada issues, and this week’s AI and service tips for immigration lawyers. A fast, high-value briefing for practitioners. Spotify | iTunes | YouTube Music | Timestamps: 00:00 – Opening 00:33 – Episode Introduction 01:55 – The 2025 National Defense Strategy of the United States 04:30 – DOS to Expand Online Presence Screening & Vetting 05:44 – Work Permits: Proposal to Reduce Validity from 5 Years to 18 Months 07:44 – Class Certification: Detaining All EWI Entrants (Matter of Yajure-Hurtado) 08:06 – Mid-Roll Break 08:43 – USCIS Launches New Center to Strengthen Immigration Operations 10:13 – U.S. Border Patrol Proposes $5,000 "Rest Fee" for Illegal Crossers 10:38 – Department of Labor Expands H-1B Oversight & Enforcement Authority 11:42 – Case Strategy: Motion to Reopen for a Client 12:20 – AI Update: Year-to-Date Performance in Our CRM 16:26 – Service Tip: The Power of Proactive Communication & Responsiveness 18:01 – Outro Live Consular Processing training for lawyers Dec 18, 10:00–11:45 a.m. PT - NVC packets & DS-260 - Interview prep & follow-up - Timelines, fees, and real-world workflows Follow eimmigration by Cerenade: | | Start your Business Immigration Practice! (US LAWYERS ONLY - SCREENING REQUIRED): Get Started in Immigration Law! Our Website: ImmigrationLawyersToolbox.com Not legal advice. Consult with an Attorney. Attorney Advertisement. #podcaster #Lawyer #ImmigrationLawyer #Interview #Immigration #ImmigrationAttorney #USImmigration #ImmigrationLaw #ImmigrationLawyersToolbox /episode/index/show/immigrationlawyerspodcast/id/39357490

#447 Federal Court update w/ Kevin A. Gregg, Esq. [Nov. 2025] 12/07/2025

#446 The New Reality of Employment Immigration w/ Bob Webber, Esq. 12/05/2025

#446 The New Reality of Employment Immigration w/ Bob Webber, Esq. In Episode 446, John Q. Khosravi, Esq. sits down with Bob Webber, Esq. for a candid breakdown of the state of employment-based immigration going into 2026. From Trump-era shifts to visa backlogs, AI disruption, declining F-1 numbers, stricter NIW standards, and rising USCIS fees — Bob explains why this is the most challenging landscape the field has seen in decades. A must-watch for immigration lawyers navigating H-1Bs, PERM, EB categories, consultation demand, and practice strategy during a rapidly changing political and economic climate. | | | Timestamps 00:00 — Opening 00:33 — Introduction 04:36 — How Bob Webber Entered Employment-Based Immigration 05:22 — Impact of the Trump Administration on Immigration Law 06:45 — Three Categories Affecting Employment-Based Immigration 06:59 — Quotas 08:14 — Economic Factors 09:58 — How AI Is Changing Employment-Based Practice 14:06 — Projected Immigration Growth for 2026 15:01 — Biden Administration Filing Fee Increase 17:02 — How 2025 Played Out 18:29 — H-1B Processing Delays 19:19 — Growing Demand for Employment-Based Lawyers in Law Firms 22:40 — Decrease in Domestic Nurses 26:13 — The F-1 Feeder System 29:20 — Self-Care for U.S. Immigration Attorneys 34:44 — Adapting to Immigration Challenges Under the Trump Administration 37:20 — LinkedIn marketing 41:09 — Outro Live Consular Processing training for lawyers Dec 18, 10:00–11:45 a.m. PT - NVC packets & DS-260 - Interview prep & follow-up - Timelines, fees, and real-world workflows Follow eimmigration by Cerenade: | | Start your Business Immigration Practice! (US LAWYERS ONLY - SCREENING REQUIRED): Get Started in Immigration Law! Our Website: ImmigrationLawyersToolbox.com Not legal advice. Consult with an Attorney. Attorney Advertisement. #podcaster #Lawyer #ImmigrationLawyer #Interview #Immigration #ImmigrationAttorney #USImmigration #ImmigrationLaw #ImmigrationLawyersToolbox /episode/index/show/immigrationlawyerspodcast/id/39287020

#445 John's Top 10 This Week for Immigration Lawyers [Dec. 2, 2025] 12/04/2025

#444 AI & Legal Tech Shaping Immigration Law in 2025 w/ Ruby Powers, Esq. 11/28/2025

#444 AI & Legal Tech Shaping Immigration Law in 2025 w/ Ruby Powers, Esq. In Episode 444 of the Immigration Lawyer’s Toolbox Podcast, Ruby Powers returns with a powerhouse conversation on the future of immigration practice, legal tech, and law firm leadership. Fresh from high-level legal tech conferences, Ruby breaks down the trends shaping the profession—from AI tools and automation to alternative business structures, MSOs, and the rapid shift toward value-based billing. Together, we dive into office management, hiring challenges, practice innovation, workflow redesign, and how to future-proof your firm as tech evolves faster than ever. This episode is packed with real lessons, honest reflections, and actionable takeaways for any immigration lawyer looking to sharpen their operations and stay competitive in 2025 and beyond. | | | Timestamps: 00:00 – Opening 00:33 – Intro 01:52 – Catching Up With Ruby 02:08 – Inside the Legal Tech Fund Summit 07:57 – Flat Fees vs. Hourly Billing: Lessons From Experimenting 11:36 – Arizona’s Legal Sandbox & Alternative Business Models 15:16 – Streamlining Your Firm for 2025: Tech + Ops Upgrades 23:30 – Mid-Episode Break 24:17 – Reading the Data: Who’s Hiring Us? + Pulling Back on Video Content 27:42 – Practicing Immigration Law Under the Trump Administration 28:42 – Why Systems Matter: Evolving Your Immigration Practice 31:08 – Using Social Media Bots for Client Responses 33:46 – The Authenticity Problem: How AI Shapes Audience Perception 39:21 – The New Wave of Lawyering: Tech-Driven Legal Practice 41:46 – E-Books vs. Hardcovers: How Lawyers Learn Best 43:41 – Using NotebookLM for Training, Study, and Course Design 47:00 – Clearbrief: AI Tools for Litigation and Drafting 48:59 – Using AI as Your Advanced Legal Assistant 51:06 – Power Up Your Practice: Final Takeaways 51:38 – Closing Remarks Live Consular Processing training for lawyers Dec 18, 10:00–11:45 a.m. PT - NVC packets & DS-260 - Interview prep & follow-up - Timelines, fees, and real-world workflows Follow eimmigration by Cerenade: | | Start your Business Immigration Practice! (US LAWYERS ONLY - SCREENING REQUIRED): Get Started in Immigration Law! Our Website: ImmigrationLawyersToolbox.com Not legal advice. Consult with an Attorney. Attorney Advertisement. #podcaster #Lawyer #ImmigrationLawyer #Interview #Immigration #ImmigrationAttorney #USImmigration #ImmigrationLaw #ImmigrationLawyersToolbox /episode/index/show/immigrationlawyerspodcast/id/39201810

#443 Inside Maui Immigration: Fires, Enforcement & Community Response with Kevin Block, Esq. 11/27/2025

#443 Inside Maui Immigration: Fires, Enforcement & Community Response with Kevin Block, Esq. In Episode 443 of the Immigration Lawyer’s Toolbox Podcast, Maui immigration attorney Kevin Block takes us inside one of the country’s most unique immigration landscapes—where Pacific Islander, Latin American, and COFA communities intersect, and where a small but fiercely collaborative bar steps up during crises like the Lahaina fire. Kevin shares his unconventional journey into the field, the realities of running a high-volume practice on an island, and what detention, enforcement, and community organizing look like under the current administration. From cultural insights to practice-building wisdom, this conversation is packed with stories, strategy, and heart—an inspiring listen for any immigration lawyer looking to sharpen their practice and understand a corner of the immigration world few ever get to see. Spotify | iTunes | YouTube Music | Timestamps: 00:00 – Opening 00:33 – Episode Intro 02:27 – How Kevin Entered Immigration Law 04:27 – Immigration Case Types in Hawaii 07:14 – Understanding the COFA Agreement 08:08 – Maui’s Immigration Landscape & Client Demographics 09:13 – Running a Small Practice: Multitasking vs. Deep Work 10:59 – ICE Enforcement in Hawaii & Mass Arrests 12:19 – Mid-Episode Community Announcement 12:59 – Speaking at the AILA Texas/New Mexico/Oklahoma Fall Conference 15:12 – Filing Habeas & Advocacy in Hawaii 16:44 – How to Organize Immigration Non-Profits & Community Response 21:12 – How to Contact Kevin Block, Esq.22:46 – Closing Show Notes: (1) (2) Kevin Block's Live Consular Processing training for lawyers Dec 18, 10:00–11:45 a.m. PT - NVC packets & DS-260 - Interview prep & follow-up - Timelines, fees, and real-world workflows Check out eimmigration by Cerenade webinar Follow eimmigration by Cerenade: | | Start your Business Immigration Practice! (US LAWYERS ONLY - SCREENING REQUIRED): Get Started in Immigration Law! Our Website: ImmigrationLawyersToolbox.com Not legal advice. Consult with an Attorney. Attorney Advertisement. #podcaster #Lawyer #ImmigrationLawyer #Interview #Immigration #ImmigrationAttorney #USImmigration #ImmigrationLaw #ImmigrationLawyersToolbox /episode/index/show/immigrationlawyerspodcast/id/39190515

#442 John's Top 10 This Week for Immigration Lawyers [Nov. 25, 2025] 11/27/2025

#442 John's Top 10 This Week for Immigration Lawyers [Nov. 25, 2025] Episode 442 of the Immigration Lawyer’s Toolbox® Podcast breaks down the week’s Top 10 immigration law updates, including major litigation wins restoring access to counsel after LA raids, the reinstated SIJS deferred action policy, the surge in habeas petitions tied to DHS’s new bond memo, California’s fight over masked ICE agents, challenges to million-dollar civil fines, and growing concerns over Border Patrol’s expanded surveillance and domestic airport detentions. John also continues his Law Firm Management Series with a focus on knowledge and quality, and shares updates on the upcoming consular processing training, the ILT community, and so much more. | | | Timestamps: 00:00 – Opening 00:33 – Introduction 02:52 – Judge Rules Gov’t Illegally Restricted Attorney Access at LA Detention Site (B-18 Case) 03:38 – Court Grants Stay of the SIJS Deferred Action Policy Rescission (Nov. 19, 2025) 04:22 – Surge in Habeas Petitions After DHS Memo Alters Bond Eligibility 06:45 – Trump Administration Sues California Over Ban on Masked Immigration Agents 07:42 – Lawsuit: Immigrants Fined Up to $1.8M for Remaining in the U.S. 08:25 – Mid-Episode Break 09:12 – Trump Announces End of TPS for Somali Community in Minnesota 09:35 – DHS Secretary Calls for Hiring “Deportation Judges” 10:08 – Border Patrol Tracking U.S. Drivers & Detaining ‘Suspicious’ Travel Patterns 10:57 – Reports: Travelers Detained at Domestic Airports Despite Lawful Entry & Pending Cases 11:48 – Seven Star Service (Star 2): Case Review & Analysis 14:29 – Outro Show Notes: (1) “This summer, two organizations, [CHIRLA] and Immigrant Defenders Law Center, told this Court that federal law enforcement was keeping individuals picked up in immigration raids in the basement of a federal building in downtown Los Angeles and keeping them from talking to lawyers who could help them navigate the legal process.” (2) Excellent news from the SIJS (Special Immigrant Juvenile Status) Backlog Coalition this morning. The 2022 SIJS Deferred Action Policy is back in effect, and “the government must conduct deferred-action and employment authorization adjudications pursuant to the 2022 Policy Alert.” Shout out to Rebecca Scholtz from NIPNLG for some great lawyering. (3) Habeas corpus petitions surged after DHS issued memo changing bond eligibility (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) Travelers are now reportedly being detained at domestic airports—even when they entered legally and have proof of a pending immigration case. (10) Live Consular Processing training for lawyers Dec 18, 10:00–11:45 a.m. PT - NVC packets & DS-260 - Interview prep & follow-up - Timelines, fees, and real-world workflows Follow eimmigration by Cerenade: | | Start your Business Immigration Practice! (US LAWYERS ONLY - SCREENING REQUIRED): Get Started in Immigration Law! Our Website: ImmigrationLawyersToolbox.com Not legal advice. Consult with an Attorney. Attorney Advertisement. #podcaster #Lawyer #ImmigrationLawyer #Interview #Immigration #ImmigrationAttorney #USImmigration #ImmigrationLaw #ImmigrationLawyersToolbox /episode/index/show/immigrationlawyerspodcast/id/39189320

#441 The NIW Boom, Remote Teams & Law Firm Systems That Scale w/ Rusten Hurd, Esq. 11/25/2025

#441 The NIW Boom, Remote Teams & Law Firm Systems That Scale w/ Rusten Hurd, Esq. In Episode 441 of the Immigration Lawyers Toolbox® Podcast, John Q. Khosravi, Esq. sits down with Rusten Colombo of Colombo & Hurd to discuss firm growth, NIW/EB-1 trends, remote practice management, client feedback systems, hiring strategies, and how his firm scaled from 30 to over 360 team members. A deep dive into building a high-volume, high-quality immigration practice. | | | Timestamps: 00:00 – Opening 00:33 – Podcast Introduction 02:24 How Rusten Entered Immigration Law 03:19 From Civil Litigation to Immigration Practice 05:54 The Growth Timeline of Colombo & Hurd 07:06 Pandemic, Trump Era & Shifts in Immigration Demand 09:37 Mastering NIW Cases at Scale 11:20 Global Talent & the Rise of NIW Filings13:08 How Colombo & Hurd Manage High-Volume Case Work 15:50 Sharing Knowledge Across a Large Attorney Team 17:58 Where Colombo & Hurd Operate 19:14 Scaling Fast: Office vs. Remote Work 21:01 Mid 21:50 Client Experience Metrics & Feedback Systems 25:18 Maintaining Culture Through Rapid Growth 27:26 How Colombo & Hurd Hire Attorneys 29:44 Flat Fees, Dynamic Pricing & Client Expectations 31:47 Profitability & Balancing Case Workloads 33:38 How the Firm Approaches Expansion & Growth Strategy 35:23 Outro 35:46 Closing Show Notes: Rusten Hurd's LinkedIn: Website: https://www.colombohurdlaw.com/orlando/ Live Consular Processing training for lawyers Dec 18, 10:00–11:45 a.m. PT - NVC packets & DS-260 - Interview prep & follow-up - Timelines, fees, and real-world workflows Check out eimmigration by Cerenade webinar Follow eimmigration by Cerenade: | | Start your Business Immigration Practice! (US LAWYERS ONLY - SCREENING REQUIRED): Get Started in Immigration Law! Our Website: ImmigrationLawyersToolbox.com Not legal advice. Consult with an Attorney. Attorney Advertisement. #podcaster #Lawyer #ImmigrationLawyer #Interview #Immigration #ImmigrationAttorney #USImmigration #ImmigrationLaw #ImmigrationLawyersToolbox /episode/index/show/immigrationlawyerspodcast/id/39165040

The Immigration Lawyers Podcast | Discussing Visas, Green Cards & Citizenship: Practice & Policy

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