The Rational Middle

Chief Acevedo is well known for being outspoken about his opinions on a number of topics. Today, Rational Middle host Loren Steffy sits down with him to discuss his opinions on how undocumented immigration affects public safety and what his priorities are in America's fastest growing city with over 700,000 undocumented immigrants.

Hosts Chris Lyon and Loren Steffy — with the help of immigration attorneys Charles Foster and Jacob Monty — dive into America's troubled history of employment verification, workforce recruiting, education, misclassification, and the subsequent impacts on our workforce. They also discuss potential pathways to a solution.

Rational Middle executive producer and author Loren Steffy talks about his recently completed book, "Deconstructed", which chronicles the history of an immigrant family that would eventually lead to the creation of an American business.

Oscar Hernandez, an organizer at United We Dream Houston, shares his experience as an undocumented immigrant, as a recipient of DACA, and the role of foreign policy and racism on American border security.

Texas finds itself on the front lines of immigration debate. From sanctuary cities to trade and trafficking, former Texas State Representative Byron Cook weighs in on his time in office and the work left to future legislatures.

The southern border of the United States has been impacted throughout the last century both by the changing of political winds and real-world challenges we face in securing our border. David V. Aguilar talks with us about his time at CBP and the guiding principles he believes the agency and the country should use when addressing immigration.

In the second part of this two part episode, filmmaker and educator Wendell Riley explains the trials and tribulations of trying to move from a student visa to a green card - but there are problems that arise that put his journey at risk.

Wendell Riley is a filmmaker, an educator, and an immigrant. In the first part of a two part episode, he shares his experience on why he chose to come to America and what made him want to stay.

Jill Campbell is the the managing immigration attorney at BakerRipley, a community center and home base for New Americans in Houston, Texas. She shares her knowledge of what it takes to become a lawful permanent resident of the United States and what options exist for those who have entered without inspection or overstayed a lawful visa.

Gregory, Chris, and Loren recap the first season of the documentary film series Rational Middle of Immigration, how it changed their perspective on an incredibly important and consequential topic, and what the hopes and dreams are for 2020.