The TRUTH Act forum is Kern County’s once-a-year public reckoning on how the Sheriff’s Office interacts with ICE. On paper, it’s about transparency. In reality, it’s where official talking points and community truth often collide. In this episode of Flor Unmuted, attorney Oliver Ma from the ACLU of Southern California joins me to break down what the TRUTH Act really does, why Kern’s political climate shapes law enforcement culture, and what past forums reveal about the gap between reported numbers and what’s actually happening. We’ll talk about the role of the Board of Supervisors, the influence of national immigration politics, and how residents can show up in force to demand accountability.

When: Tuesday, August 19, 2025 (regular Board of Supervisors meeting schedule)Time: 9:00 AM (typical Board meeting start time unless otherwise noted)Where: Kern County Administrative Center, Board of Supervisors chambers, Bakersfield, CA

When systemic racism, ICE raids, and political violence hit home, the damage isn’t just political it’s deeply personal.

In this episode of Flor Unmuted, therapist Ramon Sanchez, MSW joins Flor Olvera for a raw, urgent conversation about protecting your mental health in the face of fear, injustice, and economic uncertainty.

We talk about what happens to children whose parents are detained, how to care for youth living under constant threat, and why our collective numbness to tragedies — from Gaza to our own neighborhoods — is so dangerous.

Whether you’re a guardian navigating crisis, a first- or second-generation American dealing with cultural guilt, or simply someone struggling to stay human in a desensitized world, Ramon offers practical, real-world tools for resilience.

In this urgent and compassionate episode of Flor Unmuted, Flor sits down with renowned criminal defense attorney H.A. Sala to talk directly to undocumented immigrants and mixed-status families who are living in fear.

What do you do if you're arrested and can’t reach a lawyer? What if you’re pulled over for something small—like driving without a license—but end up in immigration custody? How can families prepare now, before the worst happens?

If you or someone you love is afraid to leave the house, answer the door, or speak up—this episode is for you.

We cover:

• What rights you still have, even without legal status
• What to say—and what not to say—to police
• How criminal charges can trigger immigration consequences
• Why plea deals can be traps for immigrants
• How to prepare a “go-bag” with documents, contacts & protection
• What to do if you’re arrested with no access to a lawyer or phone
• How to resist the system without being reckless

This episode is in Spanish. Share it widely—this information can save lives.

Español: En este episodio urgente y lleno de compasión, Flor conversa con el reconocido abogado defensor penal H.A. Sala, directamente para inmigrantes indocumentados y familias con estatus mixto que viven con miedo.

¿Qué hacer si te arrestan y no puedes contactar a un abogado? ¿Qué pasa si te detienen por algo menor—como manejar sin licencia—y terminas en manos de inmigración? ¿Cómo puede prepararse una familia antes de que llegue lo peor?

Si tú o alguien que amas tiene miedo de salir de casa, abrir la puerta o alzar la voz—este episodio es para ti.

Hablamos sobre:

• Tus derechos, aunque no tengas papeles
• Qué decirle (y qué no decirle) a la policía
• Cómo un cargo criminal puede afectar tu situación migratoria
• Por qué los "plea deals" pueden ser trampas
• Qué incluir en una bolsita de emergencia
• Qué hacer si te arrestan y no tienes acceso a un abogado o teléfono
• Cómo resistir sin ponerte en más peligro

Este episodio está completamente en español. Compártelo—esta información puede salvar vidas.

In this episode of Flor Unmuted, immigration attorney Oliver Ma joins Flor to break down the hidden costs of immigrant detention and how ICE continues to drain local communities like Kern County of already scarce public resources.

From taxpayer funding of private detention centers to the role of internalized racism in sustaining immigrant criminalization, this conversation goes beyond headlines and into the systems that quietly shape fear and compliance.

Flor and Oliver also dig into the CA-22 Congressional race, what’s at stake in 2024, and how federal immigration enforcement continues to impact the Central Valley.

This episode is for first- and second-generation Americans, immigrant families, and anyone questioning where our money—and our silence—is really going.

In this episode of Flor Unmuted, immigration attorney Inderraj Singh joins the mic to break down what’s really happening with recent ICE raids in Kern County—and why the silence from local officials should alarm all of us.

We discuss how these raids are affecting immigrant families, the legal myths surrounding ICE enforcement, and the specific questions you can and should be asking your city councilmembers, sheriffs, and county supervisors.

Whether you're directly impacted or standing in solidarity, this episode gives you the context, tools, and next steps to hold local power accountable.

Topics covered:

• ICE enforcement in rural Central California
• Constitutional rights during immigration raids
• Local law enforcement collaboration with federal agencies
• What elected officials can do—and why many don’t
• How to take action at the city, county, and state level

Focused on Kern County, but relevant to immigrant communities everywhere.

Guest: Inderraj Singh, immigration attorney and community advocate

Available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

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Welcome to Flor Unmuted, a bilingual podcast about politics, culture, and community with zero filters and no performative theater. Hosted by a Latina voice built for real talk, not safe takes. In this quick intro, you'll hear what Flor Unmuted is all about and why this podcast is different. If you'r'e tired of the noise, the silence, or the spin- you're in the right place.

Topics you'll hear on the pod:

Latinx political power

Local elections + national policy breakdowns

Cultura, identity, and unlearning

Hard conversations we're told not to have

New episodes weekly.

Follow and subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.