In this episode, Jessica shares the story of her stepfather's decision to self-deport and how that choice reshaped her family's understanding of home, safety, and belonging. What began as fear and uncertainty became a deeper reckoning with how immigration policies impacts generational families and communities.

Welcome to our season titled, We Got Us: Stories of Faith, Justice and Collective Hope. This season is an immersive journey that invites you to witness how neighbors and local leaders are answering a powerful question. How do we acknowledge brokenness and challenge oppression to cultivate and preserve communities so everyone can flourish? Together we'll explore how neighbors are confronting injustice, cultivating resilience, and creating communities of collective flourishing. This is what it looks like when we say: We Got Us.

Are you longing for a space in community to imagine a healed future and strengthen your leadership? Auburn Theological Seminary invites you to the Heal the World Summit 2026, June 22–26 at Zephyr Point in Lake Tahoe. If you are a religious, faith, or emerging leader passionate about building community, bridging divides, pursuing justice, and healing the world, this is for you! Join us for five days of faithful and inspiring programming. Tiered registration rates, scholarships, and more information can be found at auburnseminary.org/heal-the-world-summit.

Producer, Writer, Host: Roslyn Hernández Sound Engineer: Nasim Bowlus Storytellers: Jessica, Elena, and Ari

A Chasing Justice Podcast Network Production

This podcast season was made possible by the Storytellers Collective, a program of Christians for Social Action.

The theme song for this season is We Got Us. It was produced in collaboration with Common Hymnal and the Storyteller's Collective. Social links Instagram: @chasingjustice_

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