Powerful Podcasts About the Modern U.S. Immigration Experience
Powerful Podcasts About the Modern U.S. Immigration Experience
Immigration is a hotly contested issue these days, both politically and personally. From devastating images of Syrian refugees to a crisis on our southern border, everyone has an opinion. But behind every immigrant is a unique story that brings policy into perspective. Here are some of our favorite podcasts and episodes about the experiences of U.S. immigrants today.
Tempest Tossed
Tempest Tossed, hosted by Alex Aleinikoff, shares the stories of recent immigrants and refugees, as well as in-depth discussions about U.S. immigration policy. A recent story focused on the history of the Statue of Liberty, what it means to the U.S., and the woman who climbed the statue to protest Trump administration immigration policies.
The Daily: Carlos’s Secret
In the February 27, 2017, episode of The Daily, host Michael Barbaro of the New York Times shares the story of Juan Carlos Hernandez Pacheco, a business owner and pillar of the community in West Frankfurt, Illinois. While the residents of this mostly white midwestern town are ardently pro-Trump, the community was rocked when this well-respected family man was arrested by federal immigration agents and detained.
NPR Podcast Challenge: My Mother, My Hero
The podcast My Mother, My Hero was recorded by high school students at Albany International Center in Albany, NY for the NPR student podcast challenge. Ninth grader Souleymane Diallo interviews her classmates about their journeys to the United States and their countries of origin, all with a special emphasis on their mothers.
The Wall: Reporting on the Border
As part of their reporting on their reporting on the border in 2017, USA Today and AZCentral.com launched a podcast series called The Wall. It’s part of a broader multimedia effort to tell the stories of the people that live and work there. Episodes included an interview with a human smuggler, how eminent domain is affecting people on the border, and a reporter’s journey with a civilian group of self-described vigilantes patrolling the border.
