New Years is a time of resolutions.  To eat healthier, leave work on time, work out more, meditate, lose weight or gain weight.  The list goes on and on.  But for many the stakes are higher and the power of what they are trying to give up or shed is more than an extra slice of pie or a missed day at the track or the gym.  Those grappling with addiction to alcohol or drugs can lose their homes, families, jobs and social circle.  The addiction becomes the center of the addict’s world at times. At the same time, many of our cultural icons in the United States and abroad have cited drugs as enhancing creativity or even a spiritual awakening or experience.   Having family and close friends that were in the grip of addictions this is an important topic to me.  I hope that our viewers and listeners gain some insight from my guest, Dimitri Mobengo Mugianis about these topics and the alternative therapy used to combat serious addiction to substances such as heroin. The larger societal and sociological issues surrounding addiction, rehabilitation, harm reduction are also explored.  

 

 

In this episode we discuss:  

Dimitri’s early influences including Beat poets and his time in a rock band;

Dimitri's childhood in Detroit and Greek American family roots;

The beginning of addiction and how he coped at different stages of his struggles with drugs;

What ibogaine therapy is and how it derives from the bitwi religion/spiritual practice native to Gabon;

How Ibogane has helped in ways that other treatments cannot;

Criminalization vs. Rehabilitation of Addicts;

The legalization of drugs and whether drugs should be criminalized or legalized;

What are the human rights and policy issues surrounding drug policy and addiction that Dimitri sees as most prominent today in the world and in the US;

How government use of psychedelics is a form of state violence;

The tragic death of Elijah McClain as an example of state violence with psychedelics administered by police with fatal results;

Dimintri’s media appearances and recent publications;

How you can help a loved one with addiction in the US;

How you can contribute to policy and non-profit efforts to assist those struggling with addiction;

Dimitri's views on the psychiatry and psychology field's adoption of psychedelics as a potential treatment regimen;

Dimitri's launch with a group of like minded people of http://www.cardea.net which takes a holistic view of healing and recovery through self awareness and improvisational approaches to growth;

 

JESSICA SMITH BOBADILLA (HOST) BIO:

Jessica Smith Bobadilla’s bio is at http://www.attorneyjessica.com.  You can contact her at [email protected] or I Am Attorney Jessica on Instagram or Facebook.  

 

DIMITRI MOBENGO MUGIANIS BIO at Wikipedia.com:  

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dimitri_Mobengo_Mugianis

Dimitri’s recent publications and media mentions include:  

Salon.com:  "How Psychedelic Drugs Became a Tool of State Violence" with Jonathan Dickinson, August 1, 2020https://www.salon.com/2020/08/01/how-psychedelic-drugs-became-a-tool-of-state-violence/

Salon.com:  "Why Mental Health Researchers Are Studying Psychedelics All Wrong", with Jonathan Dickinson, March 6, 2021https://www.salon.com/2021/03/06/why-mental-health-researchers-are-studying-psychedelics-all-wrong/

The Guardian: "Magic Mushroom Companies are on the NASDAQ Now.  That's A Recipe For a Bad Trip" with Ross Ellenhorn, January 3, 2022https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/jan/03/us-drugs-magic-mushrooms-wall-street

Dimitri's new venture with several partners is http:/www.cardea.net and his personal website where you can contact him is https://www.dimitrimugianis.com.

What better way to celebrate the day of love than to talk about 90 day fiance and all things fiance visa related.  Attorneys Joe Lackey and Kime Abduli are I Am Attorney Jessica regulars and join in for a lively discussion about the show, fiance visas and marriage cases and their beliefs about the impact the show has had and how accurate some of the depictions of couples in fiance visa and marriage based immigration cases actually are.  In this episode we discuss:

The moments of appreciation and "love" Jessica, Kime and Joe have experienced from their clients;The K-1 visa process and the limitations and changes to the process particularly following the BIA decision in Matter of Sesay (BIA 2011);The protections under US law for victims of abuse and trafficking when people from other countries arrive to pursue their lives here through marriage but things go wrong;The Atlantic article from May 2021 focused on the dynamics of gender, race, and citizenship (link below);The 90 Day Fiance visa couple Jay Smith and Ashley Martson and the article's analysis of Ashley's harsh words for Jay when he was unfaithful wishing to have him jailed then deported for non-criminal conduct;The significance of US citizenship in the power dynamics of international marriages and relationships with Ashley and Jay as an example of this;The way the 90 Day Fiance show is exposing people to greater understanding of U.S. immigration law;The case of Nicole and Azan (seasons 4 and 5) and  U.S. Citizen Petitioner Nicole's inability to find a fiancial sponsor prompting her to contemplate moving with her daughter to Morocco instead of completing the immigration process;Is 90 Day Fiance making foreign marriages look better or worse?  Are international marriages just like any other marriage or relationship?

Link to the article in The Atlantic referenced in this episode:  The Expirment Podcast:  The Surprisingly Complex History Behind 90 Day Fiance.  You can listen and subscribe to The Expirment Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher and Google Podcasts.  

https://www.theatlantic.com/podcasts/archive/2021/05/reality-tv-us-immigration/618775/

BIOGRAPHIES 

Host:  Jessica Smith Bobadilla

Jessica Smith Bobadilla is an immigration and human rights lawyer with 20 years experience.  Her firm website is http://www.attorneyjessica.com.  (559) 264-2500 or (415) 398-4444.  You can contact the podcast at IAmAttorneyJessica on Facebook, Instagram or by email at [email protected].

Guest: Joseph Lackey

Joseph Lackey is an immigration and criminal defense attorney in Miami, Florida.  He has extensive experience representing immigrants and refugees from all over the world. He can be reached at (305) 492-4300 or at [email protected] as well as on Facebook or Instagram.

Guest:  Kime Abduli

While it has been decades since Attorney Abduli's own immigration, the personal experiences of being an immigrant as well as the experiences of her friends and family are a constant reminder of the struggles and sacrifices that connect us all. Keeping this in mind, Attorney Abduli aims to be an advocate and a voice for her clients in their time of need and a champion for immigrants’ rights. Attorney Abduli strives to gain the confidence of clients and give them peace of mind by connecting with them and letting them know that she understands their fears and anxieties. She knows all too well what keeps them awake at night. Attorney Abduli is devoted to using her skills and expertise to her clients' advantage so that they, too, can chase their own "American Dreams."  She speaks English, Spanish, and Albanian and is admitted to practice in Wisconsin.  Kime is best contacted at http://www.abduliimmigrationlaw.com.

In this episode I Am Attorney Jessica regulars Joe Lackey and Kime Abduli join Jessica to discuss the highs and lows of immigration law and policy in 2021. The trio discuss the good, bad and the ugly of 2021 and what they hope and expect from 2022 in the world of immigration.In this episode we discuss:

• Highlights of 2021 for Jessica, Joe and Kime personally and professionally;• Problematic things that remain in the immigration system that have not been changed that the new administration promised would be changed;• Jessica’s views and experience with advance parole for DACA students and permit holders;• What the Biden/Harris administration has delivered on so far in the world of immigration law and policy with regard to prosecutorial discretion and what remains unfinished business;• What the new administration has used as PR vs. what has actually changed legally or in terms of policy and institutional practice;• The prospects for immigration reform and Joe’s opinions on the political shifts that need to happen to make it a reality;

 

Jessica Smith Bobadilla 

Jessica is the owner of the Law Office of Jessica Smith Bobadilla and the host of the podcast.  Her firm has offices in San Francisco, Fresno, Oakland and Los Angeles, California by appointment only. You can reach her through her website http://www.attorneyjessica.com or at [email protected].  

Her full bio is on her website and episodes of the podcast are livestreamed there as well.

 

Joseph R. LackeyJoseph Lackey practices exclusively in the fields of immigration law and criminal defense and loves that the law teaches him something new every day. A graduate of Nova Southeastern School of Law and the University of Barcelona College of Law, Joseph is licensed to practice in the state of Florida, the Federal Southern District of Florida, the country of Spain as well as all member-countries of the European Union. Joseph focuses on deportation litigation and criminal defense, and particularly enjoys the intersection between the two. Believing that everyone deserves a second chance, and that no one should be judged on their single worst moment, Joseph has dedicated his career to helping those whose past (or present) pose problems. He is honored to be part of the Somali 92 Team that received AILA’s 2019 Arthur C. Helton Memorial Human Rights Award.  He can best be reached through his website at http://www.josephlackey.com.  

Kime Abduli 

Kime Abduli was born in the small country of Macedonia to ethnically Albanian parents. Although her father had immigrated to the United States in search of his own “American Dream” before she was born, he decided it was a Dream he wanted his children to chase and live, as well. And so, at the ripe age of two, Attorney Abduli set off on her journey across the Atlantic. The Abduli Family resettled in Wisconsin where they have lived ever since. 

As the first person in her family to speak fluent English, Attorney Abduli was often recruited by immediate and extended family members and friends to help them adjust to life in the United States.  It made her uniquely aware of the struggles faced by immigrants living in the United States. Language barriers, cultural barriers, and isolation from their extended families and communities. Yet despite the challenges they faced, they carried on, creating new lives for themselves and their families. 

Even as a child, Attorney Abduli was everyone's “go to” person for immigration questions. Family and friends would often bring her their various applications for Attorney Abduli to translate and explain what was being asked. These experiences piqued her interest in immigration and immigration law at a very young age. From that time, Attorney Abduli knew she wanted to do more to help the immigrant community.  While it has been decades since Attorney Abduli's own immigration, the personal experiences of being an immigrant as well as the experiences of her friends and family are a const

In this episode Jessica sits down with Jonni Redick a twenty nine year veteran of the California Highway Patrol to discuss her recent book "Black, White and Blue, Surving the Sifting:.  Jonni is also a professor, consultant and media commentator on policing and police reform. In this episode we discuss:

Jonni's experience growing up biracial in California and other states and the obtacles she encountered;

Jonni's struggles as a child within her family;

Jonni's entry into the California Highway Patrol and her rise through the ranks;

Her view on policing and police reform;

Jonni's perspective regarding the jury's recent conviction in Georgia following the death of Ahmad Aubrey and contrast with the Kyle Rittenhouse acquittal a few weeks prior in Wisconsin;

Jonni's hope for the future related to community trust and policing;

Jonni's book and the messages within that helped guide her through tough obstacles;

Jonni and Jessica's advice to young people trying to rise in the ranks of any organization or company;

What the Kairos moment is discussed in Jonni's book

What the title's reference to "surviving the sifting" means and the overall significance of the book title

Parting thoughts about police reform and the tough moments our country has experienced in reconciling policing with justice and social movements in the U.S.

JONNI REDICK BIOIn a multi-billion-dollar law enforcement organization, Jonni Redick oversaw large-scale civil disturbance, natural disaster response coordination, and oversight, and managed over a thousand personnel within daily operations. A 29-year veteran, rising through the ranks of the California Highway Patrol (CHP) from county clerical worker to breaking through the “less-than-one-percent” ceiling for women of color in executive leadership in law enforcement. 

Her progression from front-line police work to executive leadership generated her passion for cultivating trust and legitimacy in organizational cultures. She now builds 21st Century leaders as the founder and CEO of JLConsulting Solutions (JLCS) where she works with police executives in law enforcement and public safety, CEOs in corporate, government, and nonprofit businesses.  She is also a speaker at women’s conferences, high schools, and universities. 

She is a thought leader in law enforcement and educates public safety and law enforcement leaders across the country.  Jonni Redick is also the author of “Survival Guide” to Law Enforcement Promotional Preparation and the forthcoming book “Black, White & Blue: Surviving the Sifting.” 

JESSICA SMITH BOBADILLA'S BIO can be found at http://www.attorneyjessica.com.  You can email the podcast or message us at iamattorneyjessica on Instagram or Facebook or [email protected].

This is a continuation of the dialogue between the guests from Episode 10 except guest Freshta Karimi could not join us and Ilaha Eli Omar, Founder and Director of Uplift Afghanistan joins to offer more perspective of the humanitarian crisis on the ground following the withdrawl at the end of August 2021 by the United States government.  This episode explores more about the legal, humanitarian and human rights issues facing Afghanistan, its people and the growing Afghani diaspora following the events of 2021.

 

In this episode we discuss:The current state of the humanitarian crisis on the ground in December 2021The legal and media response of the world communityThe feelings of abandonment by the world community that some Afghans are feeling as this crisis starts to fade from the top of news cyclesThe United States government creation of special visas for certain Afghans as well as humanitarian parole The failing thusfar by the United States to offer protection to Afghan citizens in need of an escape routeContrasting the United States vs. Canadian response and resettlement by CanadaFarnoosh and Ilaha discuss their work together in Afghanistan What can people do and where can they give to aid the effort 

 

These are the sources recommended by our guests for giving or volunteer efforts:

1)  Uplift Afghanistan (Guest Ilaha Eli Omar is the Founder and Director) http://www.upliftafghanistan.org2)   Lifeline Afghanistan (in Canada)  http://www.lifelineafghanistan.ca3) Afghan  American Artists and Writers Association http:///www.aaawa.net4) Afghan Legal Empowerment Portal (Guest Farnoosh Hashemian is a co-founder of this resource) 

BIOGRAPHIES

FARNOOSH HASHEMIANFarnoosh Hashemian is an Iranian-American human rights lawyer with over two decades of experience advancing rights and dignity of vulnerable people around the globe. Notably, in 2011, she worked with Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission on security sector reform and from 2014-2018 she led and provided technical support to an Afghan coalition of prominent criminal justice reform groups and government officials, to draft and pass, the country’s groundbreaking anti-torture legislation. She is currently the Acting Director for Law Exchange with the Open Society Foundations’ Public Health Program, where she works on legal empowerment initiatives that improve health justice for marginalized groups. Since the beginning of the crisis, and in her personal capacity, she has co-led Afghan Legal Empowerment Portal, aiming to secure a safe right of passage for all Afghan grassroots activists left behind.

Throughout her career, Farnoosh has sought to honor the work of justice defenders who came before her, build on collective local wisdom, and do the deliberate and careful intersectional work in pursuit of gender justice. In her view, it is indeed a feminist’s job to counter the alarming overuse of policing, surveillance, detention, and oppressive measures that replicate in the war on terror, the war on drugs, and the war against migrants. H HASHEMIAN

 

RANA HAZARATRana Hazarat is an Afghan-Canadian human rights lawyer based in Vancouver, BC. She arrived with her family to Canada as refugees. She is of Tajik and Hazara descent. Her lived experience as a refugee impacted her desire to pursue a legal education. Rana studied Political Science and Economics at the University of British Columbia and obtained a Juris Doctor from the Peter A. Allard School of Law. I currently work for Lawyers for Human Rights as a legal intern, which is funded by the Canadian Bar Association and Global Affairs Canada. She works with LHR's Refugee and Migrant Rights Programme. She  is also working on several national and international initiatives in response to the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, such as assisting with the resettlement of Afghans in Canada, facilitating refugee sponsorship applications, and drafting public legal education materials, calls to actions, and policy papers.  Yo

In this episode Jessica is joined by Farnoosh Hashemian, Freshta Karimi, Rana Hazarat and Sahar Muradi to discuss the human rights dimensions of the issues facing Afghanistan in 2021. 

 

In this episode we discuss:

The impact of the United States withdrawing in August 2021 from Afghanistan 

The reasons for the nature and timing of the United States withdrawing  after 20 years of engagement

Different vulnerable groups impacted by the changes in the balance of power and takeover of the Taliban

Life for Afghanis under the Taliban

Sahar’s work as an artist to enable Afghani artists to use their voices and to assist some in attempting to exit  the country so they can continue their work freely

Rana’s experience working as a Canadian human rights lawyer and with networks of people worldwide attempting to relocate Afghan refugees

Frehta’s recent journey out of Afghanistan to Canada with her family and the details of how she almost did not make it out despite having been granted visas to multiple countries

Farnoosh’s work to assist the human rights defenders still stuck in Afghanistan how are at risk with options for exiting the country

Freshta’s observations of the problems with how US programs and development were conducted in light of the recent withdrawl

Fresha’s grave concern for her fellow Afghanis 

How you can help Afghani people and refugees:

These are the sources recommended by our panel:

 

1) Uplift Afghanistan:

http://www.upliftafghanistan.org

 

2) Lifeline Afghanistan:

http://www.lifelineafghanistan.ca 

 

3) Afghan American Artists and Writers Association:

http:/www.aaawa.net

BIOGRAPHIES 

Farnoosh Hashemian is an Iranian-American human rights lawyer with over two decades of experience advancing the rights and dignity of vulnerable people around the globe. Notably, in 2011, she worked with Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission on security sector reform. From 2014-2018 she provided technical support to a coalition of prominent criminal justice reform groups and government officials, to draft and pass, Afghanistan’s groundbreaking anti-torture legislation. She is currently the Acting Director for Law Exchange with the Open Society Foundations’ Public Health Program, where she works on legal empowerment initiatives that improve health justice for marginalized groups. Since the beginning of the crisis, and in her personal capacity, she has co-led Afghan Legal Empowerment Portal, aiming to secure a safe right of passage for all Afghan grassroots activists.

 

Throughout her career, she has sought to honor the work of justice defenders who came before her, build on collective local wisdom, and do the deliberate and careful intersectional work in pursuit of gender justice. In her view, it is indeed a feminist’s job to counter the alarming overuse of policing, surveillance, detention, and oppressive measures in the war on terror, the war on drugs, and the war on migrants. 

Freshta Karimi is the Founder and Director of Da Qanoon Ghushtonky (DQG – “Seeker of Law” in Pashto), one of the largest legal aid service organizations in Afghanistan. Shereceived her Law degree in 2014 from Payam-e-Noor University in Kabul and she is currently studying her masters in Kabul in law and criminology. 

Freshta Karimi has dedicated her career to improving access to justice and promoting women and children’s rights since 2002. She is also a member of several groups advocating policy changes and has traveled extensively internationally representing her organization and promoting various women’s rights issues and highlighting the concerns of Afghan women. As an activist from the ‘new generation’ of Afghan women, Ms. Karimi has already affected change within her own organization and is committed to building a more secure and safe country for vulnerable groups.

In addition to her commitment to combatting violence against women in Afghanistan, through her organization, Da Qanoon Ghushtonky (DQG), Ms. Karimi has worked to

In this episode we discuss:

Tahmina's path to becoming an immigration lawyer and her experience as an organizer during the Trump administration

Her experience as a Muslim American during the Trump years and in light of the Muslim Ban

Tahmina's two books Legal Heroes of the Trump Era and The Startup Visa available on Amazon.com

The ways in which Tahmina believes a "startup visa" could benefit the United States, the tech industry and individual immigrant innovators all at the same time

Jessica and Tahmina comparing notes about representation of business immigrants vs. deportation defense and family based cases

Jessica and Tahmina's beliefs about what would be best for immigration in the next era of reform and new ideas for how immigration can evolve in the United States.

 

JESSICA SMITH BOBADILLA BIO 

Jessica’s website: https://www.attorneyjessica.com/.  Jessica can be reached at (559) 264-2500 through her firm or for the podcast at [email protected].  

Follow Jessica on Social Media: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

 

TAHMINA WATSON BIO

Tahmina Watson obtained her law degree and graduated from Brunel University, London, England in 2000. She was Called to the Bar in 2002 (became a barrister) as a member of the Middle Temple Inn. After completing her pupillage (apprenticeship) from Bridewell Chambers in London in 2004, Tahmina continued as a practicing barrister, handling mainly criminal defense matters, before relocating to the United States in 2005. She was affiliated with Temple Court Chambers in London as a Door Tenant until recently. Tahmina was admitted to the New York Bar in 2006.Prior to founding Watson Immigration Law, Tahmina was a partner at White & Watson from July 2006 to December 2008 practicing exclusively in the area of U.S. Immigration and Naturalization law.  Before that, Tahmina externed with His Honor Judge Ricardo Martinez at the District Court of Western Washington in downtown Seattle.   She also interned for multiple terms at the Northwest Women’s Law Center (now known as Legal Voice).Tahmina is admitted to practice law in Washington State and the State of New York.  She is also admitted to the federal court of Western District of Washington.  She is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and the King County Bar Association. Tahmina is currently an unregistered member of the Bar of England and Wales. Past memberships include the International Bar Association, The American Bar Association, King County Washington Women Lawyers and other minority bar associations. She continues to be a member of the Middle Temple in London, UK.  Tahmina is an Adjunct Fellow at The Niskanen Center, a Washington DC-based think tank. She advises on immigration policy issues.Tahmina currently serves as Chair of the Response Committee of the Washington Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA WA), a committee she helped create after the November 2016 election.  She currently serves on the Board of Trustee for the King County Bar Association.  In addition, Tahmina recently helped form a non-profit organization called WIDEN- Washington Immigrant Defense Network which combines skills of immigration and non-immigration lawyers to help indigent detainees.Her other community activities include serving on the board of Point Hope, an organization that helps children. She is an active member of the pro bono community in Seattle, e.g., Northwest Immigrants Rights Project, One America etc..  Tahmina often provides free legal advice at local legal clinics.  Furthermore, she is an active supporter of Chaya, a Seattle based non-profit organization that assists battered women from a South Asian background.

She serves as Chair of the Legal Advisory Committee of the Global Entrepreneur in Residence Coalition. Tahmina is also a columnist with The Seattle Globalist.She proudly served as the 2009-2010 President of the King County Washington Women Lawyers (KCWWL).  She

In July 2021, Jessica Smith Bobadilla was retained for the case of Luis Miguel Grijalva Morales an Olympian Who Was Also a DACA Permit Holder.  Luis was almost not able to travel due to the lengthy and complex process to obtain a travel permit for those with DACA or Deferred Action for Childhood Status.Through a combination of media, political and legal action Jessica and Luis were able to obtain the permit and he traveled to Tokyo making it into the final round and setting a personal best in the finals as well as a record for Guatemala and Latin American runners in a 5000-meter race.Frequently during the media interviews, Jessica was asked if the emergency situation with Luis was the most stressful and emergency she had experienced with a DACA advance parole (another name for the travel permit) case.  Jessica laughed and said the name “Alex Avalos” kept popping into her mind and she responded that she had handled one more stressful case for someone traveling while DACA.  Alex Avalos who later obtained Lawful Permanent Residence joins the podcast to tell his story as does I Am Attorney Jessica regular Kime Abduli, Wisconsin-based exceptional immigration lawyer and all-around rockstar.  Kime’s knowledge and depth of personal connection to immigration law is only rivaled by her passion for fitness and strength.  

In this episode we discuss:

Alex Avalos his history as a DACA student and the Thought for Food competition he was invited to attend in Europe in 2015;The crazy path Alex and Jessica in her role as the Director of the New American Legal Clinic at San Joaquin College of Law in Clovis, California experienced to try to quickly obtain the travel document;Alex’s crazy experience when he was in Switzerland but later learned the travel permit had been approved but not arrived at his home due to an address issue in a rural area;Alex’s and Jessica’s ultimate decision to have him fly to Mexico and present himself at the US/Mexico border on foot with the appropriate documents that he had received;

The discussion of Luis Miguel Grijalva Morales and the similar expedited process Luis and Jessica had to pursue to obtain his travel permit;Kime’s experience with DACA clients and DACA travel permit cases;The current status of DACA after multiple litigation efforts to end the program by restrictionist advocacy groups;Jessica’s recommendations for the Biden administration to allow DACA permit holders to obtain travel documents as part of their renewal process unless they have a prior removal order or other unusual issues that would make travel more legally complicated;Kime’s talk about the Olympic statement by a news outlet based in Kossovo after athletes from that region took several gold medals stating “Hey Europe, we who do not have visas, have 3 Olympic gold medals” referring to the restriction on Eastern European travelers to Western European countries.

JESSICA SMITH BOBADILLA (HOST)

Jessica’s website: https://www.attorneyjessica.com/.  Jessica can be reached at (559) 264-2500 through her firm or for the podcast at [email protected].  

Follow Jessica on Social Media: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

ALEX AVALOS (GUEST) 

Alex Avalos is a 23-year-old recent graduate from West Hills College with a degree in Business Administration and General Studies. He was the Co-founder and Director of Product Development of AgForHire.  In 2015, while a DACA student, Alex qualified to attend the Thought for Food competition in Europe.  He was also the Marketing Coordinator for Harris Ranch for over two years.  Alex is currently an independent photographer, graphic design artist and marketing advisor.  Alex can be reached by email at [email protected]. 

 

KIME ABDULI (GUEST)

Kime Abduli was born in the small country of Macedonia to ethnically Albanian parents. Although her father had immigrated to the United States in search of his own “American Dream” before she was born, he decided it was a Dream he wanted his ch

In June 2021 Vice-President Kamala Harris traveled to Guatemala and gave a now infamous speech where she told people in the Central American nation "Do not come".  With little context, explanation or recognition of United States or international law Vice-President Harris comments were seen as more of the same like almost a continuation of Trump era policies and dumbed down rhetoric.  These statements by My two guest, Luis Marco and Carolina Martin Ramos  in Episode 7 are both indigenous people and co-directors of a non-profit with national and international reach for assistance and protection fo Maya people.  

On the day that Vice-President made her statement in Guatemala Luis Marcos made the following statement on social media:  "Vice-President Harris' callous words to the people of Guatemala and to the Maya Nation, first ignore that Guatemala as a State is on Maya Territory by virtue of the International Legal Construct known as the Doctrine of Discovery.  Second her words ignore US's obligations under international law as well as its moral obligation to humanity.  This includes its commitment to respect the right of the persecuted to seek asylum as refugees, and Indigenous People's pre-existing rights to migrate as recognized in article 36 of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples".  

In this episode we discuss:

The history of the Maya people and Luis' Mayan Guatemalan roots;

Carolina's indigenous roots in Mexico and the United States;

The appropriation of traditional native North and South American prints and garb in US and European fashion;

The impact of VP Harris' statements in Guatemala and the irony of such statements on Maya territory;

Current US immigration and asylum policy and its implications for asylum seekers and indigenous people;

The doctrine of discovery and how this fueled crimes against humanity against indigenous people;

The international human rights dimensions of indigenous rights;

Groundbreaking legal work that Carolina and Luis are doing where the rights of indigenous people (apart from the rights under US law) are being raised in immigration court and United States courts;

The important work of their organization and where you can donate or find out more about what they do.

A trilingual farewell blessing in Maya, Spanish and English.

 

Jessica’s website: https://www.attorneyjessica.com/ 

 

Follow Jessica on Social Media: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

 

LUIS MARCOS BIOGRAPHY

Luis Marcos belongs to the Q'anjob'al Maya Nation and serves as Ambassador of the Akateko, Chuj, Popti and Q'anjob'al Maya to the Omaha Nation, Member of the Council of Authorities of the National Council of Indigenous Peoples in Diaspora, Preparatory Budy Member of the Congress of Nations and States.  Furthermore, Luis Marcos is Co-Executive Director of Comunidad Maya Pixan Ixim: Reinforcing our Roots, Living our Maya Heritage (CMPI) a 501c 3 organization of the Q'anjob'al Maya Nation in Nebraska. Luis Marcos works to dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery for the liberation of Indigenous Peoples and Humanity.  

To reach Luis Marcos please email him at [email protected].

 

Carolina Martin Ramos Biography

Carolina Martin Ramos (Mexica Mestiza/Chicana/Kinship ties to U.S. Tribes in SE) is Co-Executive Director of Comunidad Maya Pixan Ixim (CMPI) and directs the Maya Human Rights Program and legal services at CMPI. Carolina is an immigration and human rights attorney with years of experience in nonprofit, government, and private practice. She has worked on crimmigration law as a former public defender, represented noncitizen victims of human trafficking and crimes, and asylum seekers. She has received special recognition for her work with Indigenous migrants and LGBTQ asylum seekers. Currently, Carolina focuses her work on the rights of Indigenous Peoples through pre-existing Indigenous traditional laws and governance and international human rights mechanisms while training Indigenous legal ad

In 1988 the Hollywood blockbuster Coming to America debuted, starring Eddie Murphy with a star-studded cast, breathtaking sets, and costumes inspired by the fashions of African royalty. Few who have seen this film regret it. Fast forward to 2021 and the sequel, Coming to America 2, is released. As is true in most cases, the sequel did not live up to the expectations that fans had after the original film. But is this an example of art imitating life? In other words, is the 1988 version of the immigration system more logical than what is happening in 2021 in light of global pandemic closures of immigration courts, immigration offices, and consulates worldwide? Has the immigration system evolved or devolved since Coming to America debuted in 1988?

 

In this episode, we talk about…

Coming to America 1 and 2 and things we liked and disliked about the movies.

How Coming to America in 1988 perhaps exposed some Americans to a different view of what they believed immigrants and Africans to be.

How Jessica, as a member of the Armenian diaspora, connected to the idea that people within your community who come from abroad can infuse you with new knowledge of yourself and your culture that was reflected in the Coming to America series.

How Kime's experience as a member of the Macedonian/Albanian immigrant community reminded her of certain things in the film.

What the immigration law was like in 1988 with the amnesty and legalization programs through the restrictive package of laws passed in 1996; through the immigration reform package that last sunset in April 2001; to the current era of travel bans, asylum restrictions and pandemic related closures and delays.

How the 2021 version of Coming to America 2 was ironic to immigration lawyers as it hit at a time of bans and restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic where they were not seeing a lot of "coming to America" at that time.

What the 2021 sequel should have been named according to our host and guests.

Joe's analysis of the Trump administration policies on immigration and asylum including "wait in Mexico" and how he sees that as part of a larger movement and message from the former administration.

 

Links to resources:

 

Jessica’s website: https://www.attorneyjessica.com/ 

 

Follow Jessica on Social Media: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

 

Guest Kime Abduli: Website |  LinkedIn | Facebook 

        Phone: (414) 312-7275 | Email: [email protected] 

 

Guest Joseph R. Lackey: Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook

        Phone: (305) 782-8280 | Email: [email protected] 

 

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to email [email protected]