Paper Work: Immigration, Islamophobia and Bureaucracy w/ Josef Burton

Paper Work: Immigration, Islamophobia and Bureaucracy w/ Josef Burton

From Blood Work by bloodwork

September 1, 2026 · 38 min · Episode 51

About this episode

Josef Burton discusses his experiences in the U.S. State Department and the bureaucratic challenges related to immigration and Islamophobia.

This is a preview. To hear the entire episode and help Blood Work to survive and thrive, become a supporter on Patreon. Josef enters the Zone to talk about his experience working in the U.S. State Department and discuss the quiet violence work of diplomats, administrators and functionaries. For more from Josef Burton: – Follow him on Bluesky and Twitter – Listen to his appearance on QAA discussing Iranian Monarchists – Read his 2023 essay ‘Impolite Society’ in The Baffler Image: A photo of the exterior of the Writers’ Building in Kolkata, originally built as an office for junior clerks in the East India Company and which served as the effective seat of British power on the Indian subcontinent. Blood Work is a Scam Goldin ProductionThis episode was produced by Thomas O’MahonyOur theme song is ‘Dream Weapon’ by Genghis TronOur artwork is provided courtesy of KT KobelIf you enjoyed this episode:– Support Blood Work via Patreon– Leave a rating or review on your podcast app– Follow us on Bluesky / Instagram / Twitter THIS WEEK IN VIOLENCE: Crack-up ALSO AVAILABLE IN AUDIO This week, we’ve got excerpts from two essays recently published in Foreign Affairs for you, which are striking in…

People in this episode

Host: bloodwork

Guest: Josef Burton

Topics covered

Keywords

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: U.S. State Department, The Baffler, Foreign Affairs

Books & works: Impolite Society

Places: Kolkata, Indian subcontinent

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