Immigration Nation

From declared national emergencies to the further separation of families, host Kara Lynum recaps the many changes to the US immigration policy and practices in the last several months.

Host Kara Lynum is back with a candid retelling of her first-hand experience with the US Customs and Border Protection. Accompanied by other immigration lawyers and two US Congress members, she describes a scene of intimidation and hostility while attempting to assist asylum seekers fleeing violence. 

Kara Lynum wraps up Season 2 of Immigration Nation with a topic that has captured much attention in the political landscape: #AbolishICE. She's joined by Andrew Free, an Immigration Lawyer in Tennessee who also serves on the American Immigration Lawyers Association's Federal Court Litigation Steering Committee. He and Kara discuss the movement to Abolish ICE and what that could/would mean. 

Host Kara Lynum discusses the latest US policies on immigration and how the 2018 mid-term elections could affect immigration policy moving forward. 

There's been plenty of talk about refugees, but what are the real facts? In this episode of Immigration Nation, you'll learn what it's like to be a refugee and why accepting them is both built into our laws and necessary for humanity.

Host Kara Lynum welcomes Christina Brown, an immigration attorney in Denver, CO specializing in asylum cases. They discuss the process of seeking asylum and how changes to immigration policy are impacting people attempting to escape violence.

Host Kara Lynum sits down with Daniel Perez, a bilingual social worker born in Mexico. They discuss his personal journey from a child of undocumented immigrants to becoming a DREAMER.

Dave "Hutch" Hutchinson, candidate for Hennepin County Sheriff in Minnesota, joins host Kara Lynum for this live Immigration Nation. They discuss the role sheriffs can play regarding immigration and their level of discretion in that role. Recorded live at the Black Hart of Saint Paul on Thursday, October 18th. 

What is the definition of a Sanctuary City? You might be surprised to learn there isn't one. The term is just one of many meant to describe a growing number of policies aimed at making life better for immigrants in our communities. Ian Bratlie, an attorney with the ACLU of Minnesota, talks with host Kara Lynum about what these policies are (and aren't), and how they're being used today.

Season 2 starts by looking back at how immigration laws and policies have changed in 2018. Host Kara Lynum is joined by Ana Pottratz Acosta to discuss the Flores settlement, family separation, ICE, reports of abuse in detention centers, executive orders, DACA, the ACLU lawsuit in San Diego, the Supreme Court, immigrant Visas, passport denials, mid-term elections, public benefits for immigrants, shocking results of a FOIA request on TPS, and the AG' move to place children in jail.

It's the final episode of our first season! Usually you want to go out on a high note, but the work ahead and the specter of egregious immigration policies yet to come make that a difficult task. Fortunately, Kara Lynum is joined in-studio again by Ana Potratz-Acosta to answer some of your questions from the first season and give suggestions on how you can help steer our policies in a more humane direction. @immigrationpod @studioamericana @karalynum Send ideas and suggestions to immigrationpod@gmail.com.

From mothers being separated from their children to minors representing themselves in court, the immigration policies of the United States pose a significant burden to kids. Michelle Rivero of Rivero Law Office joins Kara Lynum to discuss what children experience at the US border. 

There's a lot of talk about the issue of deportation in the United States. Brian Aust of Aust Schmiechen joins Kara to discuss the deportation process (now called "removal") and how the experience doesn't carry the same due process as many Americans might expect.

Host Kara Lynum sits down with Anne Applebaum of the Immigrant Law Center (www.ilcm.org) to discuss the steps that must be taken to become a naturalized citizen. They also discuss common challenges and the many ways a person can find themselves permanently ineligible. 

Host Kara Lynum brings an update on the caravan from Central America carrying asylum seekers as well as dubious statements from the Trump administration on the asylee's claims. She also discusses the process of seeking asylum and the violations ICE would be committing by not allowing people who are physically at the border to claim asylum.