[2] Risch was born in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, the adopted son of an auto parts factory worker.

In 2002, Risch rejoined the law firm of Martson Deardorff Williams & Otto and was subsequently made a partner.

[3] In June 2017, President Donald Trump nominated Risch to serve as Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs.

[4] In December 2020, Risch was appointed Deputy Director of the Executive Office for Immigration Review.

[5] In May 2021, Risch resigned as Deputy Director and was named a partner in the Global Mobility & Migration practice of the law firm Mayer Brown.