Immigration MIC

Born in Jersey, having organized in Delaware, and now chasing storms around the country helping with disaster relief efforts, Martin is making a difference one way or another!

Introduced to immigration work by Cheny Tolentino and becoming inspired by the personal stories of people affected by the nation’s broken immigration system, to his own family’s struggles and being able to spend the moment with his mother reconnecting with her own family after 20 years, Martin exemplifies the people we need to be strong allies!

In his work in disaster relief, Martin believes there should be more stories of people helping each other - and in organizing spaces he believes there should be a limit to a ‘can’t stop, won’t stop’ work ethic and more self-healing efforts. Humbly, Martin says that one doesn’t have to be the best organizer to be making a difference - to find one thing that is helping others is just as powerful!

Today on The @HendelMedia, I welcome Manuela who recently shared her story in the New York Times!

A Venezuelan native formerly undocumented, who recently became a citizen, is speaking out to help others understand deferred action, being brutally honest about how her family became undocumented, the tribulations her family went through, and a shocking account of the reactions she would receive when telling people about her status (negative reaction from a chemistry professor, and people laughing at her.)

But also learn about her perseverant spirit: how she fought to be in college, her appreciation for the welcoming Mexican American culture in TX, her respect and appreciation for her mother’s sacrifices, and her fuel for fighting for social justice because of the inspirational women in her life!

Yessenia's story is one of a kind: after she hurt her knee and couldn't see a way to train to one day compete on Bailando Por Un Sueño anymore, she transferred her energy to #immigrationreform activism!

She talks about Delaware, participating in the Trail Of Dreams walk in 2010, her personal motivations as an ally to protect her community, healing spaces, and how she's still living her dreams at Ballet Folklorico Xochiquetzal!

Thank you Yessenia for such a great conversation, and looking forward to all the amazing things you will accomplish!

Let me tell you in 2 min about my #millennial-focused article detailing 5 ways to revitalize #Brentwood

#READ: http://bit.ly/2dwjUDN

1. We need more lighting in Brentwood

2. We need to modernize police/community relations

3. Creating opportunities for alumni to reinvest in the community

4. A new community identity & common goals

5. Owning our neighborhoods

#KanyeWest saved my life with #TheCollegeDropOut

I destroy my most coveted poster bc he supports destroying 11 million lives, everyone I've ever met that needs #ImmigrationReform is a million times more important.

(HOST) Read Julissa Arce's new book, "My Underground American Dream!" by Hendel Leiva

She's Ecuadorean-American, she's woke, she's passionate, and she's from my hometown of Brentwood, NY, I'm proud to introduce 18-year old Lesley!

Three AP classes deep into her senior year, Lesley makes the time to be an activist for immigrant rights and mental health, and of course to protest Trump in Patchogue, having a very personal tie to the event, so much so that she made it a priority to put it at the top of her list that day!

She shares some very important anecdotes on the toll and heartbreak of our current immigration system on her family.

We also discuss the current state of Brentwood today: how it is a community of people with unlimited potential, and the importance of having an overall identity where we promote success to counter the negative narratives in the media.

Lesley is a brilliant, grounded young woman with unlimited potential, and I highly encourage everyone to check out her video! She is highly inspiring and I can't wait to hopefully work with her in the future!

I'm joined by Maria who was on her way of one of many actions due to constant surprise anti-immigrant legislation, a harsh reality for communities living in AZ.

However, she still took the time to give me a mind-blowing, intellectually stimulating conversation around her lifelong love of math, her family's struggles in the immigration system, the reason why she decided to leave college and pursue immigrant rights organizing full-time, and told me about the beautiful bonding moment she and her mom shared as she translated "Lemonade" for her!

Maria also gave me some insight into the challenges of the immigrant rights movement at the national level: providing support and resources, identity fragmentation, lack of healing spaces, and a reliance on funding being the ONLY form of sustainability.

From testifying in front of Congress to The @HendelMedia Project, Rosa shares her journey with me, for only the sixth time ever! This is an interview you cannot miss!

In this fun, yet emotionally charged interview, Rosa speaks on her family's heartbreaking sacrifices, the moment she saw her dreams crumbling in her prospective college's financial aid office, the origins of President Obama's legislation and her being a part of the team that saw it implemented, all the way to shouting down Steve King last week in DC!

We then talk about the direction of DAPA, the controversial "Low Profile/ High Profile Dreamers" pages, (we acknowledge there is real frustration behind those posts), and honest and challenging conversation about the lack of mental health resources, and Rosa's ongoing mission to continue training more people to do organizing work and continue empowering communities.

PS: According to Rosa, not a good idea to target Supreme Court Justices with actions.

She says this may be her favorite interview ever, an INCREDIBLE compliment -- Rosa, it was my honor to host you, and one day I hope we can meet for some strawberry shortcake ice cream and to work together to accomplish some trailblazing work! I admire your passion, your resolve, and your huge heart! We are FAMILY now!

Daniela is a recipient from Honduras who is a passionate self-taught makeup artist and immigration reform activist on Long Island!

We talk about her early experiences transitioning to the United States, her struggle to be understood during her middle and high school years, her constant fear/paranoia of immigration authorities prior to President Obama's legislation, and her journey to finding her voice/ herself through college and her business ventures!