Hon. Matthew O’Brien (’25): Immigration Thought Leader

“Throughout my career, I have been very fortunate to have a direct influence on an issue that is very important to the country. I have been able to focus on public service and work on what could be the most significant issue in domestic and foreign policy that the country has ever faced.”
-Judge Matthew O’Brien (’25)  

Dr. Matthew O’Brien (’25) has spent his career on the front lines of immigration policy, dedicating himself to national service in both government and nonprofit sectors.  

When Matthew discovered that IWP was one of the few graduate schools seriously addressing immigration through the lens of national security, he enrolled to deepen his understanding. Since then, he has earned both an Executive M.A. and a Doctorate in Statecraft and National Security Affairs from IWP—all while holding demanding positions at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), serving as an Immigration Judge, and engaging in policy reform work at leading immigration-focused nonprofits. 

Lessons learned at IWP have helped him protect our country from terrorists, assist asylum seekers, and advise the Trump transition team on immigration policies that will counter illegal drugs and human trafficking.  

A Lifelong Interest in Immigration 

Matthew’s fascination with immigration began early. As a child, he vividly remembers watching news coverage of a shipwreck off the U.S. coast that revealed a human smuggling operation. He was struck by the involvement of the Coast Guard and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)—a moment that would shape his future path. 

Later, his friendships with international students navigating the green card process further deepened his interest. He pursued French and international relations in college and earned a law degree to establish a stable career path. Upon graduation, the Immigration and Naturalization Service was hiring, and the field felt like a natural fit. He soon transitioned to roles within the Department of Homeland Security and also practiced immigration law privately. 

Discovering IWP 

Matthew first encountered IWP while researching evidence for an ICE case and stumbled upon an article by Professor Marek Chodakiewicz. That article led him to regularly follow IWP’s work. While many institutions focused on economics or diplomacy, IWP stood out as the only school explicitly linking immigration policy to national security. 

After living in the D.C. area for a number of years, Matthew’s wife Gloria encouraged him to attend an IWP information session. He did – and never looked back.  

“IWP was the only school that mentioned immigration policy as a national security issue,” said Matthew. “I think it’s one of the most important things in foreign policy.” 

Putting Counterterrorism Lessons into Practice 

While enrolled in IWP’s Executive M.A. program, Matthew served as Supervisory Immigration Officer at the Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate (FDNS) within USCIS. This division served as the agency’s intelligence component, and Matthew’s role included overseeing terrorism-related cases and coordinating with the Intelligence Community. 

“Everything I learned at IWP about terrorism came into play on that job—on a day-to-day, hour-to-hour basis,” he recalled. “Without IWP, I might not have known about some of the connections to terrorism. For example, several Sunni organizations are supported by Iran.” 

Matthew credits his education at IWP with helping prevent numerous bad actors from entering the country. 

Studying Extremist Movements and Espionage 

Later, as an Immigration Judge in Virginia, Matthew presided over a wide range of cases, particularly asylum claims. His academic work at IWP—particularly a paper on extremist movements—proved invaluable. 

“When some asylum seekers would present an odd set of facts, my colleagues would consult me because of my IWP background,” he explained. 

He also actively contributed to class discussions, often drawing on firsthand experience. In one of Dr. Thomas’ classes, he recalls engaging conversations on the Russian Illegals Program—discussing Soviet espionage strategies and the parallels to modern threats. 

Shaping Immigration Policy  

Today, Matthew serves as Deputy Executive Director of the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), the nation’s largest immigration reform organization. While he found his work on the bench rewarding, he wanted to help address policy failures on a broader scale. 

“The national security problems caused by bad immigration policies are too big to address on a case-by-case basis,” he said. 

In this role, he consults with lawmakers and their staff on pressing policy challenges. He recently attended the signing of The HALT Fentanyl Act at the White House and has focused on public safety threats, border drug smuggling, and human trafficking. 

“Drug cartels in Mexico and South America have seized many routes into the U.S.,” said Matthew. “They are exploiting people, and we at FAIR are committed to improving immigration policies to protect the American people.” 

Reflections on the IWP Experience 

Matthew has high praise for his time at IWP. 

“Often, people have a vision for what graduate school will be like, and the reality doesn’t measure up. That was not the case with IWP. It was everything I hoped for—and more.” 

He enjoyed the intellectual rigor of the M.A. program so much that he continued on to the doctoral level. His research explored lawfare, the legal framework around terrorism, and the structure of the European Union. 

While completing both degrees, he simultaneously worked full-time, trained to become a judge, and even endured a pandemic and a broken leg. Despite these challenges, he found IWP to be a uniquely supportive community. 

One of his most meaningful experiences was engaging in a formal debate on immigration policy with Alex Nowrasteh of the Cato Institute. 

“It was a respectful, truth-seeking discussion of difficult issues. That kind of open academic environment is rare—and needed,” he said. 

He also appreciated IWP’s grounding in Western moral philosophy. 

“The rule of law doesn’t work unless it’s tied to the rule of morality,” said Matthew. “In the West, morality is closely tied to Christianity. Being clear about what is good has helped me do good in my work.” 

Advice to Future IWP Students 

Matthew urges incoming students to make the most of their time at IWP. 

He said: “Treasure every minute. IWP is truly a unique and special place. You’ll get a ‘great books’ approach—reading Plato and Aristotle—but you’ll also engage with professors who have serious experience in intelligence, military affairs, and diplomacy.” 

His career is proof that the fusion of deep academic study and public service can help shape policies with profound national and global impact.