Cristina M. Rodríguez Archives

Podcast

H-1B Visas

Season 2: Episode 2

January 20, 2026 • by T. Alexander Aleinikoff, Hiroshi Motomura and Cristina M Rodríguez

David J. Bier, Director of Immigration Studies and the Selz Foundation Chair in Immigration Policy at the Cato Institute, joins Hiroshi Motomura and Cristina M. Rodriguez to discuss the implications of 2025 Executive Order on H-1B visas, what might be motivating that Executive Order, and the ins and outs of ...

Podcast

The Trump Administration’s War on Venezuelan Migrants

Season 2: Episode 1

October 24, 2025 • by T. Alexander Aleinikoff, Hiroshi Motomura and Cristina M Rodríguez

Jonathan Blitzer, staff writer for The New Yorker, discusses his recent article “Enemies of the State: How the Trump Administration declared war on Venezuelan migrants in the US.” In telling the story of a Venezuelan couple living in Chicago, one of whom was sent to CECOT, the notorious prison in El Salvador, and one ...

The Trump Administration’s War on Venezuelan Migrants

Podcast

The Democrats and Immigration

Episode 10

July 30, 2025 • by T. Alexander Aleinikoff, Hiroshi Motomura and Cristina M Rodríguez

However, the Trump administration has overreached. Even among Republicans, the change in sentiment is noteworthy. Can the Democrats can come up with a narrative and a set of policies that can appeal to a wide swath of the American public. But what should those policies be? And can the Democrats shed ...

Podcast

A Quiet Border and the End of Asylum?

Episode 9

July 21, 2025 • by T. Alexander Aleinikoff, Hiroshi Motomura and Cristina M Rodríguez

Our guest speakers are Lee Gelernt, Deputy Director of the ACLU Immigrants’ Rights Project, and Gretchen Kuhner, Director El Instituto para las Mujeres en la Migración, a Mexican NGO that seeks to protect the rights of migrant women and families.

Podcast

What’s Happening in Los Angeles?

Episode 8

June 24, 2025 • by T. Alexander Aleinikoff, Hiroshi Motomura and Cristina M Rodríguez

Our guest speakers are from UCLA School of Law’s Center for Immigration Law and Policy: Ahilan Arulanantham, professor from practice and faculty co-director, and Talia Inlander, the Center’s deputy director.

Podcast

The Role of States and Localities

Episode 7

June 13, 2025 • by T. Alexander Aleinikoff, Hiroshi Motomura and Cristina M Rodríguez

This episode explores how state and local governments significantly impact immigrants through policies that either support or resist federal enforcement. Some jurisdictions implement sanctuary measures to limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities and promote inclusion, such as offering in-state tuition to undocumented students. Under the Trump administration, there has been ...

Podcast

What of the “Homeless, Tempest Tost”?

Episode 6

May 30, 2025 • by T. Alexander Aleinikoff, Hiroshi Motomura and Cristina M Rodríguez

This week, our hosts explore the closing of the US refugee resettlement program, Temporary Protected Status (TPS), and the asylum process. Our guest speaker is Mark Hetfield, President of HIAS.

Podcast

Mass Deportation

Episode 5

May 13, 2025 • by T. Alexander Aleinikoff, Hiroshi Motomura and Cristina M Rodríguez

In this episode, the hosts evaluate the Trump administration’s plans for mass deportations—their feasibility, legality, and likely consequences—with guest Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, Senior Fellow at the American Immigration Council.

Podcast

Birthright Citizenship

Episode 4

April 29, 2025 • by T. Alexander Aleinikoff, Hiroshi Motomura and Cristina M Rodríguez

In Episode 4, Amanda Frost discusses the Trump Administration’s desire to end birthright citizenship.

Podcast

Alien Enemies Act

Episode 3

April 17, 2025 • by T. Alexander Aleinikoff, Hiroshi Motomura and Cristina M Rodríguez

In Episode 3, the Unsettled hosts delve into the Alien Enemies Act of 1789, with guest speakers Liza Goitein and Katherine Yon Ebright.

Podcast

The Khalil Case and the Constitution

Episode 2

April 15, 2025 • by T. Alexander Aleinikoff, Hiroshi Motomura and Cristina M Rodríguez

Join hosts T. Alexander Aleinikoff, Hiroshi Motomura, and Cristina M. Rodríguez for a conversation with guest Stephen I. Vladeck about the Mahmoud Khalil Case, deportation power, and the Constitution.

Podcast

Introducing Unsettled: Immigration in Turbulent Times

Episode 1

April 10, 2025 • by T. Alexander Aleinikoff, Hiroshi Motomura and Cristina M Rodríguez

In the first episode of Unsettled: Immigration in Turbulent Times, hosts T. Alexander Aleinikoff, Hiroshi Motomura, and Cristina M. Rodríguez discuss Trump administration policies and actions affecting immigration and migrants and their communities. The show adopts a broad perspective, seeing immigration policies in the context of constitutional law and principles, ...