Immigration MIC

Maria is a high school student from Tennessee, following in her brothers' footsteps in activism, who fought for the original DREAM Act!

Learn about Maria's passion for immigration reform, her experience as a Guatemalan growing up in Tennessee! She's currently a part of JUMP Junior Research Collective working to collect stories of undocumented students, and finding underlying themes that are most pressing, such as paying 3x as much for tuition, and a hesitation for activism out of fear of putting their parents in danger. Also that ONE annoying vote that would have won tuition equality!

I welcome Armando Lopez (@ra_dical), a 'millennial' Mexican American Chicago based activist that recently found himself in a near-altercation at the Trump rally that was shut down on March 11.

Dissatisfied with both campaigns, Armando gives his honest assessment of Latinxs's role in this presidential election, how ICE is waiting outside people's doors, talk about having been ' too privileged' as a US-born American to have hobbies such as gaming and riding his motorcycle, how the concept of "respect your elders" holds movement building back (Dolores Huerta/ Rosario Dawson), and how he promotes unity amongst the Latinx community while still calling out inconsistencies.

He also tells his account of the Trump rally, and how people from all walks of life came together for the common purpose of stopping Trump from entering THEIR city.

Originally from the Dominican Republic and part of the first Dominican families in Harlem, Hector is all-in on activism and 'getting people of the matrix'; but did you know as a young boy he was a gold medal winning gymnast, in high school he was about to graduate valedictorian, and made Boston University's basketball team?

We talk about his activism origins, the dangers of existing under a 'slave mentality', how non-profits sometimes create an environment forcing activists to 'kiss ass', his very real experiences with mental health and self-harm, and his current Freedom Mic live events where he's working to showcase artists that don't have real opportunities to shine!

Hector, thank you so much for all the work you do, thanks for supporting the show since the beginning, let's get free for real!

I talk to Rigo Garay about his new short documentary 'The Voice Of Dreams' featuring some of our most passionate immigration activists on Long Island!

Rigo and I talk Wrestlemania predictions, his love for horror films, his parent's immigration backstory from El Salvador, his experiences growing up Latino in Mineola, and I talk to him about his potential producing a full-length documentary in the near future about immigration on Long Island, and helping to write the next chapter!

Support this talented and enthusiastic filmmaker by watching the interview and by checking out + sharing his short film!

'The Voice Of Dreams': http://bit.ly/1RkTI8w

Such an exciting conversation! This energetic, positive, and inspiring young woman originally from El Salvador, transplanted to the Hudson Valley, and now about to graduate is here to talk about her journey, her dreams, and how finding the 'Special Immigration Juvenile Status' law changed her life!

She's currently working to launch a summer program for undocumented students in the Hudson Valley this summer, and this Saturday she's hosting a birthday party at the Brooklyn Commons to raise funds for Adelante who is sponsoring the program!

Jonathan talks to me about growing up in South Central LA as a Chicano-American, how being jumped at school changed his future in a positive way, his experiences living in Kalamazoo Michigan, what ‘no era penal!’ means, why he stood up and delivered a POWERFUL call to action on the mic at a Bernie Sanders rally in LA, his new ‘Liberation’ poem…

He boldly declares, “the immigration reform movement has been hijacked by big money and organizations.”

Ecuadorean born, a child witness to domestic violence, this young Latina advocate does incredible work providing services to victims of teen dating violence, including organizing the annual #NYCTeenWalk which has grown an incredible amount throughout the years.

We talk about her passions, racism/sexism/classism in Ecuador, and her panoramic view of race growing up in Bushwick, Brooklyn!

Enjoyed talking with him about his perspective as a Salvadoran immigrant arriving at 15 to North Carolina, LGBTQ spaces and coming out, his mathematical talents, his view on why the immigration reform movement has slowed down in recent years, and how he finally burned out after arriving to Amarillo,TX with $26 dollars and had to utilize dating apps to get around.

Man, I’d be burnt out too after that. Also within the first few minutes things get very REAL on the show.

Excited to be joined by Dulce; a passionate up and coming community organizer on Long Island, her activism was being molded since 2006: she tells the harrowing account of living in the same neighborhood as one of the leaders of the anti-immigrant Sachem Quality of Life, how her experiences as a Mexican-American placed her in a role of helping newcomers in high school, positive influences such as Professor Olgui Rios in college inspired her to action.

She also discusses her current work for SEPA Mujer and helping victims of domestic violence, sexual assault become powerful leaders, advocating for the dignity of all Latina and immigrant women.

Lynda Nguyen's mission is to 'make racial equity sexy' -- and she's my guest on The@HendelMedia Project!

We talk about her family's Vietnamese refugee heritage, her awesome chalkboard paint, how 'intersectionality' has been a big part of her schooling/ career; she curses the 'model minority myth', and how she's the worst person to approach to ask what type of Asian she is while she's buying donuts!