1.16.25 Online age verification, H-1B immigration visas, and religious freedom in schools

Summary

Podcast Summary: The World and Everything In It – Episode 1.16.25

Title: Online Age Verification, H-1B Immigration Visas, and Religious Freedom in Schools
Host: Mary Reichert
Release Date: January 16, 2025

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1. Introduction

In this episode of The World and Everything In It, host Mary Reichert delves into three pivotal topics shaping contemporary society: the implementation of online age verification to protect children from explicit content, the ongoing debate surrounding H-1B immigration visas, and the celebration of Religious Freedom Day with a focus on its impact in public schools.

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2. Online Age Verification

a. Supreme Court Case Overview

The episode begins with a discussion on the Supreme Court case Free Speech Coalition vs. Paxton, which challenges a Texas law mandating age verification for websites hosting sexually explicit material. Mary Reichert introduces the topic by highlighting the necessity of protecting children from easily accessible online pornography.

b. Stakeholder Perspectives

• Supporters of Age Verification:

  • John Schweppe (Policy Director, American Principles Project) [07:38]: Advocates argue that traditional internet filters are insufficient in safeguarding children, emphasizing the psychological dangers of unsupervised exposure to explicit content.
  • Elliot Geiser (Solicitor General, Ohio) [10:14]: Represents 24 states supporting Texas, asserting the state's reserved power to protect minors from harmful online material.

• Opponents of Age Verification:

  • Brent Scorup (Legal Fellow, Cato Institute) [10:26]: Criticizes the Texas law as unconstitutional, asserting that adults should not be compelled to disclose personal identification to access protected speech.
  • Privacy Concerns [10:48]: Critics highlight the infringement on adult privacy and the burden of submitting identifying information online.

c. Technological Solutions

• Ian Corby (Executive Director, Age Verification Providers Association) [11:05]: Discusses advanced age verification tools that utilize methods like facial recognition and AI to estimate age without retaining personal data, ensuring minimal privacy intrusion.

d. Constitutional and Legal Implications

• Legal Scholars [12:16]: The debate extends to whether online pornography constitutes protected speech under the First Amendment, with many advocating for the Supreme Court to reevaluate its stance in light of evolving technology.

Notable Quote:

"It's not just about defending pornography per se. It's about defending the principle that adults in America should not need to submit ID to obtain protected speech."
— Brent Scorup, Cato Institute [10:36]

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3. H-1B Immigration Visas

a. Personal Narratives

Addie Offerins presents a compelling look into the lives of H-1B visa holders through interviews with individuals like Nikki Katari, whose journey from India to the United States highlights both the opportunities and challenges faced by skilled immigrants.

b. Political Debate and Perspectives

• Proponents:

  • Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy [18:24]: Advocate for the H-1B program as essential for fostering excellence and innovation within American tech industries.
  • Stan Voyger (Economist, American Enterprise Institute) [19:15]: Argues that restricting H-1B visas could stifle economic growth and reduce access to necessary talent.

• Critics:

  • Senator Bernie Sanders [18:24]: Aligns with labor movement concerns, suggesting that H-1B visas may suppress wages and limit job opportunities for American workers.
  • Simon Hankinson (Senior Research Fellow, Heritage Foundation) [20:22]: Raises issues of fraud and misuse within the H-1B system, advocating for stricter oversight.

c. Economic Impacts

The discussion highlights the delicate balance between protecting American labor markets and leveraging global talent to drive innovation and economic expansion. While some reports suggest a correlation between H-1B hires and layoffs, experts like Stan Voyger challenge the validity of such claims, emphasizing the long-term benefits of a skilled workforce.

d. Fraud Concerns

Instances of fraud, such as hiring individuals for non-existent jobs or using H-1B visas as a pathway to permanent residency, are addressed. Simon Hankinson underscores the need for vigilant enforcement to maintain the program’s integrity.

Notable Quote:

"If there's all these alternatives that come with more flexibility or a more immediate path to permanent residency, people were a little casual about the existence of the program."
— Stan Voyger, American Enterprise Institute [21:14]

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4. Religious Freedom in Schools – Religious Freedom Day

a. Importance and Benefits

Celebrated annually on January 16th, Religious Freedom Day serves as a platform to educate students and educators about the First Amendment rights pertaining to religious expression. Eric Buer, founder of Gateways to Better Education, emphasizes its role in fostering understanding and respect within public schools.

b. Common Misconceptions

• Shielding Religion from Schools: Some believe that any mention of religion in schools violates the separation of church and state, leading to suppression of religious discussions.
• Evangelizing by Educators: Concerns arise when teachers overstep, aiming to proselytize rather than educate, which can inadvertently breach legal boundaries.

c. Strategies for Advocating Religious Freedom

• Relational Activism [29:22]: Eric Buer advocates for peaceful, relationship-based approaches to promoting religious freedom, encouraging parents to engage in constructive dialogues with teachers and school boards.
• Practical Implementations [28:26]: Successful schools incorporate assemblies and informational sessions that highlight the significance of the First Amendment without infringing on students’ rights.

Notable Quote:

"We're called to be salt and light, but we use salt on things to make it better, not bitter. And our light should be a lamp, not a blowtorch."
— Eric Buer, Gateways to Better Education [29:07]

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5. Additional News Highlights

a. Ceasefire in Gaza

A new ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is set to take effect, promising the release of over 30 hostages held by Hamas and the liberation of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners by Israel. U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller highlights the humanitarian efforts forthcoming in Gaza.
Notable Timestamp: [01:08] - [01:32]

b. Los Angeles Firefighters and Weather Conditions

Los Angeles firefighters express cautious optimism following severe weather forecasts. Despite the absence of anticipated high winds, officials like Mayor Karen Bass caution that conditions may still worsen, especially with potential Santa Ana winds causing wildfires.
Notable Timestamp: [01:32] - [02:15]

c. President Biden’s Farewell Speech

President Biden reflects on his administration's accomplishments, including healthcare expansion, infrastructure, and judicial diversity. He appeals for regulated AI and continued support for Ukraine, underscoring a commitment to leaving a lasting impact.
Notable Timestamp: [02:22] - [03:13]

d. Judicial and Secretary of State Nominee Hearings

Attorney General nominee Pam Bondi and Secretary of State nominee Senator Marco Rubio face rigorous questioning in their confirmation hearings. Bondi vows an independent DOJ, while Rubio emphasizes the need for balanced policies in foreign relations, particularly concerning Ukraine and China.
Notable Timestamp: [03:13] - [05:32]

e. Impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol Arrest

Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is arrested on insurrection charges following his declaration of martial law. The international community watches closely as legal proceedings unfold, with Yoon contesting the legitimacy of his arrest warrant.
Notable Timestamp: [05:32] - [06:15]

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6. Conclusion

The episode concludes with a heartwarming story about acts of kindness in Springfield, Missouri, illustrating the podcast's commitment to highlighting positive societal contributions. Additionally, host Cal Thomas provides a preview of President Donald Trump’s forthcoming second inaugural address, offering insights and reflections on his first address.

Notable Quote:

"It's more blessed to give than to receive."
— Cal Thomas [24:42]

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Final Thoughts

This episode of The World and Everything In It masterfully navigates complex and diverse issues, providing listeners with in-depth analyses, expert opinions, and personal stories. From legislative debates to personal immigration journeys and the celebration of religious freedoms, Mary Reichert ensures a comprehensive exploration of topics that resonate with a broad audience.

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Resources Mentioned:

• Gateways to Better Education: www.gateways.org
• Age Verification Materials: www.world.org
• Ambassadors Impact Network: ambassadorsimpact.com
• Issues Etc Podcast: issuesetc.org

Transcript

[Mary Reichert]

Good morning. Should the government require age verification to protect children from online pornography?

[Myrna Brown]

You want the state to be able to step in and say, you know, some kinds of content are really psychologically ruinous for young eyes and young minds.

[Mary Reichert]

Also, today is Religious Freedom Day. You'll hear from an educator who helps public schools honor the day and the.

[Cal Thomas]

Debate over employment based immigration and H1B.

[Kent Covington]

I think people were a little casual about the existence of the program.

[Cal Thomas]

And world commentator Cal Thomas reviews and then previews Donald Trump's two inauguration addresses.

[Mary Reichert]

It's Thursday, January 16th. This is the world and everything in it from listener supported World Radio. I'm Mary Reichert.

[Cal Thomas]

And I'm Myrna Brown. Good morning.

[Mary Reichert]

Time now for the news with Kent Covington.

[Paul Butler]

Celebrations in the streets of Gaza after the announcement of a new ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. That deal is scheduled to take effect on Sunday. U.S. state Department spokesman Matthew Miller Hostages.

[Myrna Brown]

Will begin to return home in the coming days. Humanitarian assistance will surge into Gaza. The fighting will stop and the people of Gaza will will finally be able to start rebuilding their lives.

[Paul Butler]

The agreement promises the phased release of more than 30 hostages that Hamas is still holding in Gaza. Israel in turn, will release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. Firefighters around Los Angeles are breathing a cautious sigh of relief, at least for now. After dire weather forecasts over the past couple of days. Louisiana County Fire Chief Anthony Maroney the.

[Myrna Brown]

Anticipated 70 mile an hour winds have yet to materialize. However, we are still at risk.

[Paul Butler]

Officials warn that their fortunes could quite literally shift with the wind. Forecasters are expecting better conditions the rest of this week, relatively speaking. But Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass warned.

[Cal Thomas]

We'Re not out of the woods yet. There is a chance that the Santa Anas might spike up again next week.

[Paul Butler]

Fierce Santa Ana winds have been blamed for fueling the blazes. The fires have destroyed thousands of homes and have killed at least 25 people. President Biden delivered his farewell speech last night from the Oval Office.

[Kent Covington]

I'm so proud of how much we've accomplished together for the American people and.

[Addie Offerins]

I wish the incoming administration success because.

[Kent Covington]

I want America to succeed.

[Paul Butler]

The president said his administration succeeded in expanding health care access through the Affordable Care act and passing infrastructure and climate legislation. He also said he is leaving behind a more racially diverse judiciary, highlighting the appointment of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson as the first black woman to serve on the Supreme Court. And looking forward, Biden said we need.

[Addie Offerins]

To enact an 18 year time limit, term limit and astronauts ethic reforms for our Supreme Court.

[Paul Butler]

He also called for, among other things, careful regulation of AI and more regulation of speech on social media. And he stressed the importance of continued support for Ukraine at the Capitol. Several more confirmation hearings are slated for today. The Judiciary Committee will question Attorney general nominee Pam Bondi for a second day. On Wednesday, Democratic ranking member Dick Durbin said Bondi's qualifications are not in doubt, citing her many years in law enforcement.

[Kent Covington]

But I need to know that you would tell the president no if you're asked to do something that is wrong, illegal or unconstitutional.

[Paul Butler]

Bondi said she never would have accepted the nomination if she believed any such thing would ever be asked of her. She vowed to run a fully independent Department of Justice, and she said that means eliminating the kind of political targeting at the DOJ that she believes Donald Trump experienced.

[Myrna Brown]

The partisanship, the weaponization will be gone. America will have one tier of justice for all.

[Paul Butler]

Also on Wednesday, Secretary of State nominee Senator Marco Rubio testified before the same Foreign Relations Committee on which he now serves.

[Kent Covington]

I thank you and I hope I can earn your support. Whether it's because you believe I will do a good job or because you want to get rid of me, thank you.

[Paul Butler]

The top Democrat on the panel, Senator Jeanne Shaheen, said she believes Rubio is well qualified for the job. But she pressed him on the Trump foreign policy he'll be charged with carrying forward, including in Ukraine.

[Mary Reichert]

President Zelensky has said that he's open to a peace agreement, but I am.

[Nikki Katari]

Concerned both for the Ukrainian people who.

[Mary Reichert]

Have sacrificed so much about the message.

[Nikki Katari]

That abandoning Ukraine would send not just.

[Addie Offerins]

To our allies but also to our adversaries.

[Paul Butler]

Rubio said the Ukraine war must end and that will require, quote, balances and concessions on both sides. But he warned against the idea of a neutral Ukraine. He said that could open the door to Vladimir Putin rearming and relaunching the war again in the future. Senator Rubio also testified that China now poses the greatest threat that the United States has ever faced. Authorities in South Korea have arrested impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol. World's Kristin Flavin has more.

[Kristin Flavin]

Yoon is facing insurrection charges stemming from his declaration of martial law last month. That order led to his impeachment. Authorities took him into custody Wednesday at his presidential compound in Seoul. That followed a standoff between law enforcement and Yoon's security forces at the compound. Yoon released a video message saying he would cooperate with the criminal investigation into his actions. But he also argued that the warrant used to arrest him was illegitimate. Police can hold Yoon for 48 hours unless a new warrant is issued, which could see him detained for up to 20 days before he's brought to trial. For world, I'm Kristen Flavin.

[Paul Butler]

And I'm Kent Covington. Straight ahead, online age verification. What are the pros and the cons? Plus, empowering parents and school boards to promote religious freedom in our nation's public schools. This is the WORLD and everything in it.

[Mary Reichert]

It's Thursday, the 16th of January. So glad to have you along for today's edition of THE WORLD and Everything In It. Good morning. I'm Mary Reichert.

[Cal Thomas]

And I'm Myrna Brown. First up on the WORLD and Everything in it, free speech and age verification. Now, this story deals with online content not appropriate for children. So you can skip ahead six minutes and come back later. And please do come back.

[Mary Reichert]

Well, yesterday the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the case Free Speech Coalition versus Paxton. At issue is a Texas law that requires websites featuring sexually explicit material to verify the age of users accessing those sites. Now we'll cover oral arguments in Monday's legal docket, but for today, we'll hear from citizens and scholars who filed friend of the court briefs. World's Paul Butler has the story.

[Myrna Brown]

It was a chilly morning for an outdoor rally on Wednesday morning as a few dozen people gathered in front of the Supreme Court before oral arguments. Good morning, everyone. Thank you for braving Nicole. John Schweppe is policy director with the American Principles Project, the organization sponsoring the rally to rally to protect kids online. And that's a tall order these days as sexually explicit material is no longer confined to backrooms or magazine racks behind brown paper wrappers. Instead, it's just a few swipes away on a smartphone. And Internet filters often fail to protect young people from seeing content that is increasingly obscene and violent. Claire Morell is a fellow at the ETH and Public Policy center in Washington.

[Kristin Flavin]

Filters don't always work for the in app browser, so they're actually accessing the pornography websites all from within an app. And that's really difficult for a lot of filters or parental controls to see into. It's just a lot of layers of solution are necessary in this kind of app based ecosystem on a smart device.

[Myrna Brown]

Last year, Morell submitted a brief arguing that the Supreme Court should consider how much technology has changed since its 2004 ruling in ACLU v. Ashcroft. That decision said content filters were the least restrictive means for protecting children from the harms of pornography without burdening adult speech rights.

[Kristin Flavin]

The changes in technology has meant filters are largely not enough to protect kids, and so age verification is a really critical layer of protection for parents.

[Myrna Brown]

New law is aiming at protecting our children in Louisiana. In 2023, Louisiana became the first state to require online pornography suppliers to verify the age of their users. Rather than comply, some of the largest players in the industry blocked access in the state and sued. But that didn't deter other states from following Louisiana's example and passing their own age verification laws. States like Texas, you want the state to be able to step in and say, you know, some kinds of content are really psychologically ruinous for young eyes and young minds. Elliot Geiser is Solicitor General for the state of Ohio, and he's the counsel of record for the 24 states that submitted a brief supporting Texas. We have reserved powers to protect children. And like Texas, many of the states in Ohio have contemplated or have similar laws that require age verification for adult websites and websites that have content that is harmful for children. Advocates for the adult website say those laws violate First Amendment protections for free speech and they violate the privacy of adults seeking explicit material online.

[Kent Covington]

The issue here is that every adult, to prove they're non minor, must submit their identifying information to a website, and that is clearly a burden.

[Myrna Brown]

Brent Scorup is a legal fellow at the libertarian Cato Institute. His organization submitted a brief arguing that the way Texas is seeking to protect children is unconstitutional.

[Kent Covington]

It's not about defending, you know, pornography per se. It's about defending the principle that adults in America should not need to submit ID to obtain protected speech.

[Myrna Brown]

So how exactly do online age verification tools work and what kind of a burden do they impose on speech?

[Kent Covington]

If American technology can put a man on the moon, it is absolutely possible to prove your age without disclosing your identity, and to do so with very little burden.

[Myrna Brown]

Ian Corby is executive director of the Age Verification Providers Association. It's based in the United Kingdom. In 2015, Great Britain's Conservative government laid out a plan to require age verification for pornographic content. And Corby's organization worked with developers to build the tools.

[Kent Covington]

So my new party trick is demonstrating six different ways of doing age verification in 60 seconds.

[Myrna Brown]

Tools on the market today can compare selfies with photo ID or even use AI to estimate a person's age without keeping a permanent record of that data.

[Kent Covington]

Your data, actually, for some of the latest apps, does not even leave the palm of your hand. We can compare the ID to the face match on device and it takes a few seconds.

[Myrna Brown]

Now, some pornography producers are already using age verification tools to ensure that the creators of this content are legal adults. And that's the model that Brent Scorp at the Cato Institute believes that adult websites and smartphone companies should follow, voluntarily fixing their technology to protect children without the need for government intervention.

[Kent Covington]

But I absolutely do want Apple and Google and these websites to do more to keep this out of the hands of minors.

[Myrna Brown]

And that brings us to the fundamental problem, whether or not the content at issue is the sort of speech that previous rulings say is protected. Once again, Ohio Solicitor General Elliot Geiser. Do you have to look at the whole breadth of the content that these pornography companies are arguing is speech? Most of it is nothing of the sort. In fact, many of it is violent and degrading and demeaning. We do not think that even adults have a First Amendment right to access the vast majority of this material. It'll be up to the Supreme Court to decide whether or not to review the constitutional status of pornography as free speech. In the meantime, Claire Morell at the Ethics and Public Policy center says that states have a right and a responsibility to help parents protect young eyes and minds from obscene material.

[Kristin Flavin]

And so these are collective action problems. And that's why age verification laws, again, it's not a silver bullet, but it would provide a really critical layer of protection for parents to protect all children as a more collective solution.

[Myrna Brown]

Thank you all for braving the cold, guys. I really do appreciate it. Back at Wednesday's rally, John Schweppe promised to keep fighting regardless of how the court decides in this case. We're going to keep coming until this, this industry, this porn industry is defeated and until kids are protected online. That's our, that's our goal. So again, I want to thank everyone for coming today. Let's go win this case. Thank you so much. Reporting for world. I'm Paul Butler.

[Cal Thomas]

Coming up next on THE WORLD and everything in it. Immigration showdown. Most of the media attention over the past few years has focused on unlawful crossings at the US Mexico border. Issues related to legal immigration pathways don't often make the headlines.

[Mary Reichert]

But last week, one of President elect Donald Trump's appointments ignited a debate among Trump supporters. It related to a guest worker program for high skilled immigrants called the H1B visa. Does it help or does it hurt American workers? World's Addie Offerins investigated what's really behind this kerfuffle. She talked to several of these immigrant workers and she's here to tell us a little bit about what she discovered. Good morning, Addie.

[Kristin Flavin]

Good morning, Mary and Myrna.

[Cal Thomas]

Addie, tell us a little bit about the immigrant workers with whom you spoke.

[Kristin Flavin]

Most of the people that I spoke with are working high skilled jobs and are originally from India, which makes sense considering that the majority of H1B visa holders are Indian. For one, he originally wanted to stay in India, but the master's program he wanted to get into was too competitive in his home country. So he came to study in the United States instead and then got a job here. Another individual I spoke with is working for Dell Computers here. He is originally from Canada and emphasized that he believes the United States does have a problem with illegal immigration, but argued that workers like himself contribute a lot to the US Economy.

[Mary Reichert]

Well, one more question for you, Addie. What surprised you about this story?

[Kristin Flavin]

I didn't expect Bernie Sanders would be able to find anything he could agree on with Trump supporters, but he does agree with members of Trump's coalition that are critical of employment based immigration. And you'll hear more about that later down in the story.

[Cal Thomas]

Yes, we will. And Addie, thank you for your excellent reporting.

[Kristin Flavin]

Thanks for having me on.

[Mary Reichert]

To read Addie's story for World Digital or to sign up for her weekly Compassion newsletter, just visit wng.org, you'll find a link to both in today's transcript. And now with more from Addie's story, here's World Radio reporter Anna Johansson Brown.

[Nikki Katari]

Nikki Katari left Bangalore, India almost 10 years ago. She came to the United States to begin a master's degree in electrical engineering.

[Kristin Flavin]

India did not have that many opportunities at that time, I know now it's changed a lot for sure, but also had my student loan to pay, which was quite a big number when I came to study in the US and so it made sense to stay here, work for a little bit, hopefully pay off the loans and then see where it went from there.

[Nikki Katari]

After she graduated, she had three years to apply for a temporary H1B work visa. That's the visa used to hire foreign professionals to fill specialty occupations, typically in technology or healthcare fields. The program which Congress created in 1990 is capped at 85,000 spots every year.

[Kent Covington]

I mean, it's been filled basically every year that we've had the 85,000 cap. And lately it's filled even before the year starts.

[Nikki Katari]

David Beer is the director of Immigration Studies at the Cato Institute.

[Kent Covington]

The visas are allocated through a lottery, and so you have about 1 in 4 chance of winning the lottery if you get an employer to enter on your behalf.

[Nikki Katari]

Kothari's company entered the lottery on her behalf in 2018.

[Kristin Flavin]

Unfortunately, mine did not get picked.

[Nikki Katari]

She remembers crying with her friends after she found out her company re entered the lottery for her again in 2019. It was her last shot at staying in the United States.

[Kristin Flavin]

Mentally, I was prepared. I was totally prepared, thinking I would have to go back home.

[Nikki Katari]

The acceptance email from U.S. citizenship and Immigration Services landed in her inbox at 4am it was great news to wake.

[Kristin Flavin]

Up to, so I immediately called my.

[Nikki Katari]

Family and my the H1B visa Qatari needed to keep her job and remain in the country is at the center of a heated online debate among Trump supporters. The argument began shortly after Christmas. The schism follows Trump's appointment of Sriram Krishnan as a senior policy advisor to the White House. Krishnan is an Indian American who favors bringing skilled workers to the United States.

[Myrna Brown]

Silicon Valley finds itself at the center.

[Paul Butler]

Of a raging political debate that could dramatically impact its workforce.

[Myrna Brown]

It is pitting some of the biggest.

[Paul Butler]

Names in tech, who happen to be supporters of Donald Trump, against the president elect's base.

[Nikki Katari]

On one side, the two nominees Trump tapped to co lead the Department of Government Efficiency, Elon Musk, argued the H1B program is essential for American tech. Companies like Tesla and Vivek Ramaswamy called the program a necessary antidote for a culture that has venerated mediocrity over excellence for way too long. But another wing of Trump supporters claim the program allows companies to pass over American workers in favor of cheaper alternatives. They found an unlikely ally in Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent.

[Kent Covington]

Bernie Sanders has always been anti immigration, like much of the labor movement is as well.

[Nikki Katari]

Stan Voyger is an economist at the American Enterprise Institute. He first came to the United States from the Netherlands on an H1B visa. Voiker wasn't surprised by bipartisan opposition to the program.

[Kent Covington]

They believe that if that there's basically a fixed number of jobs, you bring in immigrants, they drive down wages. And because they believe that, they have always thought that shielding up the American labor market helps American workers.

[Nikki Katari]

In a recent op ed, Sanders pointed to a report showing Tesla laid off 10% of its global workforce in April while still requesting 2000 H1B visas. The economic Policy Institute published another critical report. The EPI is a think tank funded by labor unions. Its report showed that Tesla wasn't alone. The top 30 H1B employers collectively laid off tens of thousands of workers during the past couple of years, but they also hired thousands of H1B employees. But Stan Voiger points out it's impossible to draw a direct connection between layoffs and H1B hires. And he argues that restricting H1B visas will hurt American workers in the long term since companies won't be able to access the talent they need.

[Kent Covington]

Down the road, you'll see less innovation, fewer new American businesses.

[Nikki Katari]

Aside from the economic questions, critics also raise concerns about fraud.

[Kent Covington]

There are Indian companies that were outsourcers that would hire H1BS for jobs that didn't yet exist. And then when they got those people to the States, they would farm them out.

[Nikki Katari]

Simon Hankinson is a senior research fellow at the Heritage Foundation. He worked as a Visa adjudicator interviewing H1B applicants in the early 2000s.

[Kent Covington]

Cases of, you know, just outright fraud where people aren't qualified for the job, they don't even have a college degree, they don't have any. It's not a specialty occupation.

[Nikki Katari]

Hankinson also pointed out that the visa was originally intended to be a temporary work visa, but many applicants use it as a stepping stone to permanent residency. World spoke with five H1B visa holders. All of them have already requested a green card. Stan Voiger doesn't see that as a problem. He pointed out the visa is one of the only viable paths for talented professionals to contribute to the U.S. economy.

[Kent Covington]

I think people were a little casual about the existence of the program if there's all these alternatives that, that come with more flexibility or a more immediate path to permanent residency.

[Nikki Katari]

Trump recently told the New York Post that he supports the visas and that his business has used the program. But during his first administration, he imposed visa and travel restrictions that caused the number of admitted H1B visa holders to plummet. And that brings us back to Nikki Katari. Today she lives in Durham, North Carolina and still works for that company that sponsored her H1B visa. She has filed for an employment based green card, but now is married to an American citizen. She may apply for a green card through marriage so that it's approved more quickly. Either way, she's grateful for the opportunity to work here, but she's found much more than just a career.

[Kristin Flavin]

Ultimately, God is in control.

[Nikki Katari]

Katari became a Christian shortly after she arrived in the United States.

[Kristin Flavin]

I was in Chicago, was a part of the student ministry there and I started going to a Bible study just because I didn't have anything to do.

[Nikki Katari]

She's learned to trust God's sovereignty even over visa lotteries. And her co workers have noticed her.

[Kristin Flavin]

Peaceful attitude, just understanding of, oh, like Jesus is not just an American God. Like, even if I move back to India, he is with me there.

[Nikki Katari]

For World, I'm Anna Johansen Brown.

[Kent Covington]

Additional.

[Paul Butler]

Support comes from Ambassadors Impact Network inviting entrepreneurs to access faith friendly financing [e-mail] from Dort University. Student musicians at Dort enjoy opportunities to discover, develop and share the gift of music and bring glory to God until all is made new. And from the issues etc Podcast expert guests expansive topics extolling christ [e-mail].

[Mary Reichert]

Well, small acts of kindness can go a long way. And sometimes they lead to a mystery. Every Christmas in Springfield, Missouri, that's My Town restaurant owner Mike Gillili serves free meals to the needy. This year, he got a letter from an elderly woman who who said she was down to her last dollar and so grateful for the food and kindness. But that letter came with no name or return address. Jaleeli was determined to meet this mystery guest, so he turned to social media. I called him up yesterday.

[Kent Covington]

We've been working hard to try and.

[Paul Butler]

Find this lady, and then somehow this.

[Kent Covington]

Mysterious angel I call her has touched so many people's hearts.

[Mary Reichert]

Well, he found her and it turns out she's been a giver, too, helping veterans and animals for years. Jaleeli believes that's just how it works.

[Kent Covington]

You don't do it to receive. You always give from your heart to give, not expecting anything back.

[Cal Thomas]

Well said, but Jesus said it best. It's more blessed to give than to receive.

[Mary Reichert]

It's the world and everything in it.

[Cal Thomas]

Today is Thursday, January 16th. Thank you for turning to World Radio to help start your day. Good morning. I'm Myrna Brown.

[Mary Reichert]

And I'm Mary Reichard. Up next, it's Religious Freedom Day. The annual proclamation happens every January 16 as a national observance issued by the sitting president. It began in 1993 under President George Bush.

[Cal Thomas]

And here to talk about Religious Freedom Day is Eric Buer. He's a former school teacher who founded Gateways to better education 34 years ago. The organization helps parents and teachers create schools that teach about the Bible and Christianity and do so legally.

[Mary Reichert]

He's written four books on the subject, including one that I read years ago that was so helpful when my kids were still in school. Eric, good morning.

[Kent Covington]

Good morning. Good to be with you.

[Mary Reichert]

Well, I'm so glad you took time with us. Why do you think it's important for schools to observe Religious Freedom Day? And what's the benefit for students and educators?

[Kent Covington]

Well, it's a wonderful civics lesson on the First Amendment and very practically applicable to the school and where the students are that they can express their faith in their homework, in their artwork, in their conversations, in their class Discussions. And a lot of schools would think, oh, we've got a Religious Freedom Day. We've got to have all the clergy from all the different denominations and religious places of worship come to the school, and that's going to be uncomfortable, so let's not do it. And we tell them, no, you don't have to do any of that.

[Mary Reichert]

Well, we can't cover all of these things. I know, but what are some common misconceptions among parents and educators about the role of religion in public schools?

[Kent Covington]

On the one hand, you've got those who say we need to shield our schools from anything religious. So any conversations, any mention of it in class, it immediately gets shut down. That's a total misconception of the supposed separation of church and state. On the other end of the spectrum, you've got those who. Teachers who see, hey, my point is to evangelize my students, and then they end up violating the law because they go too far. But that middle ground is really understanding what my freedoms are. And teachers have some freedoms. They have the freedom, of course, to teach about religion, not to try to make it devotional. And they can, of course, pray with their colleagues. They can meet for Bible study with their colleagues. They can't pray with students during school time. And so it's when you're on the clock, then you can't be engaged in religious activities with students, but you can when you're off the clock.

[Mary Reichert]

Well, what do you say to administrators who worry that they're going to get sued if they even acknowledge Religious Freedom Day?

[Kent Covington]

Yes, administrators oftentimes are fearful of something like this because it seems like, oh, no, I'm getting into troubled waters here. The fact of the matter is, the Department of Education has asked school administrators to inform students on these issues. Everybody should understand it. So you're really just complying with what the federal government has asked you to do. We tell school administrators, treat this like an HR training. You want all your staff to understand what people's freedoms are so you don't have problems.

[Mary Reichert]

Eric, can you tell us some stories of schools that have successfully observed this day?

[Kent Covington]

Yes. Some great opportunities where we've had schools actually do an assembly and talk about the First Amendment and talk about civics and talk about the importance of religious expression. We've had schools that have sent out information to all the teachers and encouraged them to acknowledge the day and show their students what their religious freedoms are. Some really simple strategies. It's not difficult to do. It's just informing them on the law.

[Mary Reichert]

One of the Things on your website that caught my eye is that you emphasize camaraderie and reason over conflict and rage. Now, that's something I think most of us can get on board with. So how can parents use that idea to advocate for their children's religious liberty in school?

[Kent Covington]

Yeah, I often say, you know, we're called to be salt and light, but we use salt on things to make it better, not bitter. And our light should be a lamp, not a blowtorch. And in today's social media world and all, we tend to lean toward the most outrageous and we got to go and show our anger and that sort of thing. And actually we call it relational activism, using the relationships that you have to be an influencer on that person. So if it's a teacher, if you're a parent and you want to go talk to the teacher, go to our website, get some of the materials that we have, print them out, take it to the teacher and just have a conversation and say, you know, this is what the federal government says. We've had parents that have gone to school board meetings talk to school board members before the meeting, by the way, that's always good. And then request that the board recognize Religious Freedom Day and do a little resolution. Our board joins the president in acknowledging Religious Freedom Day and encourages our staff to inform their students of their religious freedoms in the classroom.

[Mary Reichert]

Relational activism, I'm going to remember that one. Eric Buer is president of Gateways to Better Education, an organization devoted to helping parents of public school students. And really, it's helpful for anyone to read these materials. Eric, thank you so much.

[Kent Covington]

Thank you. Good to be with you.

[Mary Reichert]

We have links to the materials mentioned in today's show. Notes.

[Cal Thomas]

Today is Thursday, January 16th. Good morning. This is the world and everything in it from listener supported World Radio. I'm Myrna Brown.

[Mary Reichert]

And I'm Mary Reichard. Coming up next, President elect Donald Trump will soon deliver his second inaugural address. World commentator Cal Thomas has some tips for him based on his first inaugural address.

[Myrna Brown]

We, the citizens of America, are now joined in a great national effort to rebuild our country.

[Addie Offerins]

Who remembers Donald Trump's first inaugural address? Probably not very many, unless they've googled it, as I did.

[Myrna Brown]

Together we will determine the course of America and the world for many, many years to come.

[Addie Offerins]

As I listened to it again, I was surprised to recall that it contained some gems and reasonable promises, some of which were frustrated by the COVID 19 pandemic and the fixation by Democrats on two impeachments and their efforts to thwart him at every turn.

[Myrna Brown]

We share one heart, one home and one glorious destiny. The oath of office I take today is an oath of allegiance to all Americans.

[Addie Offerins]

Trump spoke of unity so that his goals on lowering taxes, reducing the debt and closing the border might be achieved. He got his tax cuts, but not the rest. In his speech, he expressed gratitude to outgoing Presidents President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.

[Myrna Brown]

And we are grateful to President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama for their gracious aid throughout this transition. They have been magnificent. Thank you.

[Addie Offerins]

Don't look for anything close to that sentiment about the Bidens and Congressional Democrats in Mundy's address. In the category of wishful thinking, there.

[Myrna Brown]

Was this what truly matters is not which party controls our government, but whether our government is controlled by the people.

[Addie Offerins]

We'll soon see how that works out with Republicans now in control of all three branches of the government. Speaking of themes that are likely to be resurrected in his second term, Trump said, quote, we've defended other nations borders while refusing to defend our own. Unquote. True enough, he then added, and spent.

[Myrna Brown]

Trillions and trillions of dollars overseas while America's infrastructure has fallen into disrepair and decay.

[Addie Offerins]

Trump should mention Democrat Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania during his second speech. Fetterman met with him at Mar a Lago last weekend. Some in his party have been critical of the move, but Fetterman said that he's the senator for all Pennsylvanians, not just Democrats, adding that he'll meet with whoever he wants if it helps him deliver for Pennsylvania and the nation. Fetterman might serve as a wedge to divide the ultra liberal Pelosi Schumer wing of the Democrat Party and advance Trump's agenda on the theme of promoting the general welfare.

[Myrna Brown]

We must speak our minds openly, debate our disagreements honestly, but always pursue solidarity. When America is united, America is totally unstoppable.

[Addie Offerins]

Trump might return to that theme, as Americans seem tired of the political battles as shown by the last election. They want results, not constant fighting. Can Trump, who has a history of belittling others, convert to a different style? We'll soon find out, and a little levity might be useful on Monday. In that spirit, I offer an edited version of a song by Sia entitled I'm Still Here. Oh the past it haunted me oh the past, it wanted me dead oh the past tormented me oh the past it wanted me dead but the battle was lost cause I'm still here. Well, Donald Trump is still here. The question is, without a pandemic, will he be able to accomplish all he has promised if he does, he will be remembered as a deeply flawed man who did great things for his country and its people, bringing us back from the disaster of the current administration and making us great once again. I'm Cal Thomas.

[Kristin Flavin]

Cause I'm still here.

[Cal Thomas]

Tomorrow. John Stone street will be here for Culture Friday. And Colin Gabbarino previews the biggest movies for kids coming to theaters this year. That and more tomorrow. I'm Myrna Brown.

[Mary Reichert]

And I'm Mary Reichard. World Radio Washington producer Harrison Waters wrote and produced the age verification story. The world and everything in it comes to you from World Radio. World's mission is biblically objective journalism that informs, educates and inspires. The psalmist writes, I bless the Lord who gives me counsel in the night. Also my heart instructs me. I have set the Lord always before me because he is at my right hand. I shall not be shaken. Verses 7 and 8 of Psalm 16 go now in grace and peace.