Immigrant Stories | The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants

Welcome to episode 69 of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants Podcast. I am your host, Heidy De La Cruz, and I am on a mission to change the narrative of immigration one immigrant story at a time!

Today’s guest is Aimee Portes - who shares her journey of immigrating to the U.S. from the Dominican Republic. Amy reflects on her early life in the Dominican Republic, explaining how financial pressures led her family to move to the U.S. to pursue better educational opportunities. She describes initial culture shocks upon moving, including adjusting to public transportation in winter and adapting to U.S. conveniences.

Amy also shares her unique perspective on the “American Dream,” which initially meant financial independence and stability. For her, buying her first car within months of working marked a major accomplishment because in the Dominican Republic, she would make $300 a month. Today, her dream has evolved into building a successful entrepreneurship career in the holistic anti-aging industry, helping women regain confidence in their appearance and health.

With Love, Heidy

Connect with Aimee:

Website: https://aimeeportes.com/freebie/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Aimee_Portes 

Check out this podcast community on Substack!! There, you can comment on the episodes, interact with other listeners of the show, and receive new episodes right in your inbox!

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I volunteer with Bethany Christian Services for their refugee resettlement program. They have a wish list for basic things that families usually need when they arrive in the United States. If you'd like to donate items, the wish list is here.

Want to advertise your business or sponsor an episode? Please email me at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected].⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Want to start your own podcast? – My six-week podcast course has EVERYTHING you need to launch your podcast the simple way - more information at my Stan Store! https://stan.store/heidydelacruz

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Welcome to episode 68 of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants Podcast. I am your host, Heidy De La Cruz, and I am on a mission to change the narrative of immigration one immigrant story at a time!

Today’s guest is Pat Marino, the author of “We Have All Been the Others": Reflections of a First Generation's Daughter on Belonging, Democracy, and a New American Dream.” Pat is a historian and was a high school ESL teacher. In her book, she shares about her grandparents' experiences living in a segregated Chicago. So, for this episode, we talk about her work as an ESL teacher, what she’s learned as a historian, especially in the immigration space, and her research on writing her book. 

This episode is full of history, and it’s enriched by Pat’s work and life experiences. 

With Love, Heidy

P.S. This post contains product affiliate links. I may receive a commission if you make a purchase after clicking on one of these links.

Connect with Pat:

Website: https://patriciamarino.com/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marino2137/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patriciajmarino/ 

Check out this podcast community on Substack!! There, you can comment on the episodes, interact with other listeners of the show, and receive new episodes right in your inbox!

https://substack.com/@theamericandreampodcast

I volunteer with Bethany Christian Services for their refugee resettlement program. They have a wish list for basic things that families usually need when they arrive in the United States. If you'd like to donate items, the wish list is here.

Want to advertise your business or sponsor an episode? Please email me at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected].⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Want to start your own podcast? – My six-week podcast course has EVERYTHING you need to launch your podcast the simple way - more information at my Stan Store! https://stan.store/heidydelacruz 

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome to episode 67 of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants Podcast. I am your host, Heidy De La Cruz, and I am on a mission to change the narrative of immigration one immigrant story at a time!

Today’s guest is Solveiga Jaskunas, an HR consultant and career coach who shares her journey as an immigrant from Lithuania to the United States. We discuss her childhood under Soviet rule, the challenges she faced adjusting to life in America, and her passion for helping other immigrants professionally.

Solveiga shares how growing up in Soviet-controlled Lithuania shaped her resilience. Despite the hardships, her journey taught her to embrace hope and adaptability, which ultimately helped her succeed in both her personal and professional life in the U.S.

She also stresses the significance of building a support system and not being afraid to seek help. Solveiga highlights how leveraging her network allowed her to overcome the challenges she faced as an immigrant, particularly in finding her first professional job.

As a career coach and HR consultant, Solveiga advocates for diversity in organizations. She believes that immigrants bring unique strengths and perspectives and encourages companies to create more inclusive environments that embrace diverse talents rather than focusing solely on traditional qualifications.

With Love, Heidy

Connect with Solveiga:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/solveigajaskunaskazlauskaite/ 

Check out this podcast community on Substack!! There, you can comment on the episodes, interact with other listeners of the show, and receive new episodes right in your inbox!

https://substack.com/@theamericandreampodcast

I volunteer with Bethany Christian Services for their refugee resettlement program. They have a wish list for basic things that families usually need when they arrive in the United States. If you'd like to donate items, the wish list is here.

Want to advertise your business or sponsor an episode? Please email me at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected].⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Want to start your own podcast? – My six-week podcast course has EVERYTHING you need to launch your podcast the simple way - more information at my Stan Store! https://stan.store/heidydelacruz 

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome to episode 66 of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants Podcast. I am your host, Heidy De La Cruz, and I am on a mission to change the narrative of immigration one immigrant story at a time!

Today’s guest is Soraya Senosier, the host of the Diaspora in Development Podcast. She shares her journey as a Haitian-Canadian growing up in Canada and the cultural impact of the U.S. We talked about societal differences between Canada and the U.S., although as neighboring countries, there are many similarities but more differences. For example, Canada’s cultural mosaic versus the American melting pot highlights the preservation of individual cultural identities.

We also discuss recent negative sentiments toward the Haitian community and reflections on racism and colorism within Caribbean cultures. Lastly, Soraya’s initiative to launch the “Diaspora and Development” podcast addresses the complexities of international development for people of color. It highlights achievements and ongoing challenges like burnout and racism while emphasizing gratitude for the struggles that have enabled a life without fear or persecution in the U.S.

Listen in on this insightful conversation. 

With Love, Heidy

Connect with Soraya:

Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/3VwsfuB626mYx25WIIxORH?si=1cf612e9e7174daf

Check out this podcast community on Substack!! There, you can comment on the episodes, interact with other listeners of the show, and receive new episodes right in your inbox!

https://substack.com/@theamericandreampodcast

I volunteer with Bethany Christian Services for their refugee resettlement program. They have a wish list for basic things that families usually need when they arrive in the United States. If you'd like to donate items, the wish list is here.

Want to advertise your business or sponsor an episode? Please email me at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected].⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Want to start your own podcast? – My six-week podcast course has EVERYTHING you need to launch your podcast the simple way - more information at my Stan Store! https://stan.store/heidydelacruz

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome to episode 65 of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants Podcast. I am your host, Heidy De La Cruz, and I am on a mission to change the narrative of immigration one immigrant story at a time!

Today’s guest is Prasanta Verma, the author of Beyond Ethnic Loneliness: The Pain of Marginalization and the Path to Belonging. In this episode, we talk about her family’s decision to move to the US. Prasanta shares that the Immigration and Naturalization Act of 1965 allowed her father to come, but his original plan wasn’t to stay in the US. He was a physician who wanted to work in the US and bring back equipment to India to help their healthcare system better. 

Prasanta also shares about growing up as the only Indian immigrant family in a small rural town in Alabama, visiting India for the first time after moving to the US, and the process of writing her first book! 

With Love, Heidy

Connect with Prasanta:

Website: https://prasantaverma.com/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prasantaverma/ 

Substack: https://prasantaverma.substack.com/embed 

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Check out this podcast community on Substack!! There, you can comment on the episodes and interact with other listeners of the show!

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I volunteer with Bethany Christian Services for their refugee resettlement program. They have a wish list for basic things that families usually need when they arrive in the United States. If you'd like to donate items, the wish list is here.

Want to start your own podcast? – My six-week podcast course has EVERYTHING you need to launch your podcast the simple way - more information at my Stan Store! https://stan.store/heidydelacruz 

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome to episode 64 of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants Podcast. I am your host, Heidy De La Cruz, and I am on a mission to change the narrative of immigration one immigrant story at a time!

Today’s guest is immigration attorney Hector Quiroga. Hector came to the US from Colombia to study English and eventually stayed. He initially was interested in NASA and studied in Texas, but then he moved to Washington and became an attorney. Hector comes from a family of attorneys from back in Colombia so it seems like that was his destiny, but immigration law wasn’t even his first choice. 

Hector is also the author of Prove Them Wrong: One Immigrant’s 10-Year Journey from Bankrupt to Millionaire - where he shares his early struggles of becoming a lawyer, going bankrupt, meeting his wife, and overcoming his trauma of sexual abuse. 

Listen in to hear his incredible journey! 

With Love, Heidy

Connect with Hector:

Website: https://www.abogadoquiroga.com/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abogadoquiroga/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AbogadoQuiroga 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AbogadoQuiroga 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hectorquiroga/ 

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I volunteer with Bethany Christian Services for their refugee resettlement program. They have a wish list for basic things that families usually need when they arrive in the United States. If you'd like to donate items, the wish list is here.

Want to start your own podcast? – My six-week podcast course has EVERYTHING you need to launch your podcast the simple way - more information at my Stan Store! https://stan.store/heidydelacruz

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome to episode 63 of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants Podcast. I am your host, Heidy De La Cruz, and I am on a mission to change the narrative of immigration one immigrant story at a time!

Today’s guest is Evelin Andrade, founder of Ir Al Sol Swimwear. She shares her story of growing up in Queens, New York, with immigrant Colombian parents. Starting at the age of eight, she and her sisters would spend the summers in Colombia. Evelin shares the first culture shocks she experienced during the summers in Colombia and the great memories of playing soccer in the rain. 

In this episode, Evelin shares how she started her Swimwear Ir Al Sol and what inspired her to make these Colombian customwear swimsuits! Listen in! 

With Love, Heidy

P.S. Millard Fillmore was the 13th President of the United States, LOL. Thank God for Google! ;) 

Connect with Evelin:

Website: https://iralsol.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iralsolswimwear/ 

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Check out this podcast community on Substack!! There, you can comment on the episodes and interact with other listeners of the show!

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I volunteer with Bethany Christian Services for their refugee resettlement program. They have a wish list for basic things that families usually need when they arrive in the United States. If you'd like to donate items, the wish list is here.

Want to start your own podcast? – My six-week podcast course has EVERYTHING you need to launch your podcast the simple way - more information at my Stan Store! https://stan.store/heidydelacruz

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome to episode 62 of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants Podcast. I am your host, Heidy De La Cruz, and I am on a mission to change the narrative of immigration one immigrant story at a time!

Today’s guest is Marlen Lane, a singer/songwriter, blogger, and podcaster. Marlen also sings on her church’s worship team and volunteers with the youth. She shares about growing up in Honduras with a close-knit Christian family and growing up as a PK or Pastors’ Kid. 

Marlen met her husband in Honduras while he was on a mission trip. His church visited her church, and he was interested in her first, but she wasn’t at the time.

Eventually, they started dating and were in a long-distance relationship for two and a half years. Once they realized they had to start making the next step in their relationship, they thought about getting married and where to live. 

Listen in as Marlen shares about her journey to the US and how a congressman even had to get involved in her immigration process! 

With Love, Heidy

P.S. You can listen to my episode on Marlen’s podcast, The Love Well Podcast, here - https://open.spotify.com/episode/3ijuHUULx5MACiJPR0jjvk?si=c2641d32b8e841ef

Connect with Marlen:

LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/marlen_sarai 

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That simple 👌🏽 

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT! Tell your friends and family! 🫶🏽🙌🏽

Check out this podcast community on Substack!! There, you can comment on the episodes and interact with other listeners of the show!

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I volunteer with Bethany Christian Services for their refugee resettlement program. They have a wish list for basic things that families usually need when they arrive in the United States. If you'd like to donate items, the wish list is here.

Want to start your own podcast? – My six-week podcast course has EVERYTHING you need to launch your podcast the simple way - more information at my Stan Store! https://stan.store/heidydelacruz

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome to episode 61 of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants Podcast. I am your host, Heidy De La Cruz, and I am on a mission to change the narrative of immigration one immigrant story at a time!

Today’s guest is Idrees Khan - his parents immigrated from Trinidad and Tobago, and he was born and raised in South Florida. If you know anything about South Florida, you know how culturally diverse it is. Idrees shares the mixture of friends and people he grew up with and thought that the rest of the US was just as diverse. It wasn’t until he got to college that he realized it wasn’t. 

Listen in as Idrees shares some history of Trinidad and Tobago and why the Caribbean is so diverse as well and he shares a lot of his parent’s family history. Honestly, I learned a few things about the slavery trade I didn’t know before. Hope you learn something new as well :) 

With Love, Heidy

P.S. - Here is the link to the Trini restaurant Idress mentioned in the episode - https://g.co/kgs/EVq6vj2 

Connect with Idrees:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drees_03 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eatncultures 

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eatncultures 

VOTE FOR THE AMERICAN DREAM IN THE EYES OF IMMIGRANTS PODCAST TO WIN THE WOMEN IN PODCASTING AWARDS!

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Click on it and submit your vote! 

That simple  

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT! Tell your friends and family! 

If you’d like to advertise your business or sponsor an episode, please email me at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected].⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect with ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Heidy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Check out this podcast community on Substack!! There, you can comment on the episodes and interact with other listeners of the show!

I volunteer with Bethany Christian Services for their refugee resettlement program. They have a wish list for basic things that families usually need when they arrive in the United States. If you'd like to donate items, the wish list is here.

Want to start your own podcast? – My six-week podcast course has EVERYTHING you need to launch your podcast the simple way - more information at my Stan Store! https://stan.store/heidydelacruz

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome to episode 60 of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants Podcast. I am your host, Heidy De La Cruz, and I am on a mission to change the narrative of immigration one immigrant story at a time!

Today’s guest is author Prisca Dorcas Mojica Rodriguez. She was born in Nicaragua and moved to the United States with her family in elementary school. She is the founder of Latina Rebels. She studied at Vanderbilt University, earning her Master of Divinity. She’s published two books For Brown Girls with Sharp Edges and Tender Hearts: A Love Letter to Women of Color and Tías and Primas: On Knowing and Loving the Women Who Raise Us. 

Listen in as Prisca shares the opportunity her dad received in the US, which is why they moved, growing up in Miami and eventually moving to Nashville for graduate school. And her writing process! Can you believe she was told she wasn’t a good writer, and now she has published TWO BOOKS!? It goes to show that you can’t let ANYONE tell you - you can’t do something! 

With Love, Heidy

Connect with Prisca:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/priscadorcas/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/latinarebels/ 

Website: https://www.priscadorcas.com/ 

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Connect with ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Heidy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Check out this podcast community on Substack!! There, you can comment on the episodes and interact with other listeners of the show!

https://substack.com/@theamericandreampodcast

I volunteer with Bethany Christian Services for their refugee resettlement program. They have a wish list for basic things that families usually need when they arrive in the United States. If you'd like to donate items, the wish list is here.

Want to start your own podcast? – My six-week podcast course has EVERYTHING you need to launch your podcast the simple way - more information at my Stan Store! https://stan.store/heidydelacruz 

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.