Episode 20: Creative Expression of the Immigrant Experience: A Discussion with Poet Renzo Del Castillo
In this episode, we look at expressing the immigrant experience through creative work, such as poetry and writing. I invited Renzo del Castillo, author of a collection of poems titled Still, to discuss how he used poetry to process his experiences immigrating to the United States. Writing about our experiences can give us a better understanding of our past, present and future. I hope this conversation inspires you to write about your journey to the United States!
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Episode 19: Immigration and Mental Health: A Conversation with Dr. Lorraine Ehlers-Flint
Moving to a new country can be stressful, even if we are excited about the change. In this episode of Inside Immigration, I invited Dr. Lorraine Ehlers-Flint, a psychologist and immigrant, to discuss the impact of immigration on mental health and ways to improve mental well-being.
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Episode 18: Understanding the monthly Visa Bulletin
In this episode, I discuss the monthly Visa Bulletin, which is issued by the U.S Department of State every month and provides information on which immigrant visa applications the government is working on. I go over the various categories of immigrant visas, the annual limits to the green cards available, what a priority date is and why there are different tables in the monthly visa bulletin. With this podcast, I hope to help you understand the monthly visa bulletin so you can plan your permanent residence process better.
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Episode 17: Interning in the United States
In this episode, I discuss the J-1 visa for interns and trainees. The J-1 can be used for a variety of cultural exchange programs, and provides a pathway for foreign nationals to visit the United States to teach, study, conduct research, or receive on the job training. I spoke with a Senior Associate of People Operations and a Product Design Intern from Verkada, a fast-growing startup in the Bay Area, about their experiences with the J-1 visa program. They share insights on recruiting interns from international schools, confirming that the intern is eligible for the J-1 visa, and the overall internship experience.
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Episode 16: Facing A Layoff? A Discussion of Visa Options
In this episode, we discuss options for foreign nationals on temporary employment-based visas whose employment has been terminated or who are concerned about possible termination. For common employment-based visas, including the H-1B, E, L, O and TN, employees have 60 calendar days from the last day of employment to find a new employer that can sponsor them for a visa or to apply for a change of status. I spoke with Leyla Mostafavi, an associate at my firm, on factors to consider when finding a new job, exact timing of the grace period, and options to consider if the employee is unable to find a new sponsoring employer. While losing a job can feel very stressful, another job, most likely a better one, is around the corner. Let this be a time to reflect on where you want to land next and set your goals accordingly.
Nadia Yakoob has over 20 years of experience in US immigration law and is an immigrant herself. She understands the need for information that is clear and concise. She created Inside Immigration to provide foreign nationals with accurate and expert information on obtaining temporary visas, permanent residence and citizenship for the US.
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