Immigration Ain't Easy

Zayed (aka "theZlawyer") learned about the complexities in our immigration system as a child when he helped his father attempt to naturalize and become a U.S. citizen. As an adult, that dream was finally realized by his father with Zayed as his lawyer. Zayed is now a lawyer based in Phoenix and part of his law practice focuses on immigration matters. As a Palestinian, he provides a personal perspective on the ongoing Israel-Hamas war and the emotional and human toll it has taken on himself and his family. Zayed has lost innocent family members who were killed in the conflict. Zayed maintains a semblance of sanity through all this by his sense of humor and fun personality which is exemplified by his numerous TikToks that educate the public on legal issues (he has over 300,000 followers).  

Francisco Romero has been a significant part of the generational change we have seen in Spanish radio sports broadcasting.  Growing up in Nogales, Sonora, Mexico, and speaking very little English, he never envisioned that his life's journey would take him from our neighboring country to now calling play-by-play for the Houston Astros. His ascent in the sports media industry has been deliberate as he has worked for six Major League Baseball teams and has broadcasted for other sports franchises. Romero and his broadcast partner, Alex Treviño, are one of the longest tenured broadcast duos in Major League Baseball. Along the way he befriended a personal hero, the late Fernando Valenzuela.

Come listen along to Francisco's story! 

Ana Valenzuela wanted to solve a big problem. She completed high school and struggled to afford higher education due to her undocumented status. Attending Pima Community College in Tucson, Arizona she realized that this issue impacted dozens of other students. With limited resources available and undaunted by this problem, Ana co-founded  ScholarshipsA-Z, an organization that works to make higher education accessible to all students regardless of immigration status. ScholarshipsA-Z has helped hundreds of students locate scholarships and financial assistance for 15 years. It has also empowered undocumented youth and their families with vital knowledge and empowerment. Please support ScholarshipsA-Z here: https://scholarshipsaz.org/donate/ 

Neena Dutta is a Jill of all trades. She is an immigrant from the United Kingdom who found herself on a F-1 student visa going to college in the middle of nowhere, U.S.A. This began a journey where she attended law school, became an immigration lawyer, got her green card and U.S. citizenship, invested in a successful bar (The Brooklyneer in Manhattan) and now is a CEO of a construction company. Who said immigrants are stealing jobs from Americans? Neena is creating them. Please join me and get inspired by Neena's story! 

Juan Escalante personifies "self-preservation." He has had to overcome many obstacles throughout his life and he has persevered, primarily due to his own advocacy. Juan came to the United States from Venezuela with his family following the election of Hugo Chavez. Unfortunately, poor legal advice by an attorney left his family without legal status in the U.S. and Juan's journey to find a legal path began. Juan's story is an example of how delicate the immigration process can be and how one error or piece of bad advice can send you down the wrong path. He is a champion of the DREAM Act and DACA. Juan has thrived because of DACA and now his permanent residency and he still is fighting every day to keep DACA in existence and to get a legal path for the undocumented population. 

Immigration Attorney Steven Brown loves the work he does. This motivates him to zealously advocate on behalf of his clientele, which consists of primarily employers, investors and individuals seeking employment-based immigration opportunities. Steven grew up in Virginia and became enamored with Texas where he has settled down and helps direct a successful multi-dimensional immigration law office. He knows all about consumer protection and uses this to drive his support for the oft-deceived immigrant population. 

Steven is a partner at Reddy Neumann Brown PC in Houston. Listen in as he discusses the struggles employment-based immigrant and non-immigrant visa applicants face on a regular basis. You can also follow Steven at @AttyStevenBrown on X (and on other social media platforms). 

Chef Nicolás Lopez's name has become synonymous with top Spanish cuisine. He oversees all culinary operations at Mercado Little Spain, a 35,000 sq ft Spanish food hall (with three full-service restaurants, bars, numerous other food and retail kiosks) in New York City. He is a protégé of Chef José Andrés and works with the world renowned restauranteur. Chef Nico was also instrumental in overseeing the creation of 136,000 meals provided for the non-profit World Central Kitchen during the pandemic to help feed those in need. Chef Nico and his fabulous attorney, Ava Benach, join me to share both their life stories and inspirations for the important work they do. NOTE: Chef Nico has a demanding work schedule so he had to call in from the kitchen. Some of the sound did not come through but it is worth a listen! 

When they went to law school, Jodi Goodwin and Chuck Kuck didn't realize their destinies and life's work would be helping immigrants and becoming two of the top lawyers in this complicated field of law. They join me to discuss their journey to becoming immigration lawyers, what motivates them to keep fighting the good fight, some of the ridiculous things they've witnessed the government do, and what they think the future holds.  

Ahmad Wakili was a judge in Afghanistan who sentenced Taliban members at Bagram Air Base.  He fled for his life after the withdrawal of the United States military in August 2021. Fortunate enough to get on a plane, he sought refuge in the United States but faced a lengthy separation from his wife and newborn daughter. Did they finally reunite? Did Ahmad get asylum? 
What about the rest of his family that he had to leave back in Afghanistan?

Please check out this episode and get inspired by Ahmad's story! 

Jenn Budd went from high-ranking Border Patrol Agent to immigrant rights activist. Her odyssey didn’t come without life-altering experiences including the survival of horrific hazing, sexual harassment and a sexual assault while serving in the Border Patrol. This episode delves into Jenn’s survival from mental health struggles that stemmed primarily from her several years in the Border Patrol. Jenn has courageously blown the whistle on the pervasive abuses by the Border Patrol. She details this in her memoir, “Against the Wall”. Her outspokenness has received high praise from many in the human rights community and beyond.

In Jenn’s words: “I was a Senior Patrol Agent with the US Border Patrol in San Diego, a Senior Intelligence Agent at San Diego Sector Headquarters and an Acting Supervisory Border Patrol Agent from 1995 to 2001 when I resigned in protest due to the rampant corruption and brutality I witnessed on a daily basis. After nearly 30 years of border experience on both sides of the issues, I have come to the realization that our immigration policies have created an intentional brutal obstacle of death for asylum seekers. Though I used to wear the green uniform in pride, I have come to realize that the US is violating human rights and committing human atrocities with their immigration systems. This includes detaining non-criminal immigrants, intentionally limiting legal pathways to immigration that then force people to cross in the most dangerous of terrain, deterrence policies that do not deter but intentionally kill migrants, deadly pursuits that kill innocent Americans as well as migrants, inhumane open air detention sites, and child separation. My goal is to expose the truth about our brutal immigration policies and the criminality of the US Border Patrol.”

If you want to purchase Jenn’s book: https://heliotropebooks.com/books/against-the-wall-my-journey-from-border-patrol-agent-to-immigration-rights-activist/

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode covers subject-matter that may be triggering to some. It involves discussion of sexual assault, hazing, suicide and mental health struggles.

Cynthia Magallanes is a survivor. Plain and simple. She was brought into the U.S. as a four-year-old. Cynthia went from being an undocumented child to gaining DACA status and then her green card and, ultimately, U.S. citizenship. She became a naturalized citizen on June 14, 2024.  Cynthia uses her own experience with childhood sexual abuse to help empower other women and children who have been sexually abused, exploited or trafficked. She has dedicated her life's work to helping victims heal. 

In April, 2022, she published The Princess Who Forgot Her Name, a children's book to help children heal after trauma. Cynthia's story is inspiring and demonstrates what one can do when given the opportunity, such as DACA, and a platform in the United States. You can hear that episode here.

Simba Rusita: grew up in Burundi and survived numerous coup d'états. After receiving a his bachelor degree from The University of London South Bank University, he went back to Burundi to try and help to economically develop his native land. However, after the last coup attempt, he finally fled for his life and came to the United States for refuge. He is separated from his family while awaiting his asylum interview (already waiting over a year and it is uncertain when the interview will come). 

Simba has over 20 years of experience working with Businesses and NGO’s in five different countries on three different continents. He is currently on the Board of Directors for the Iskashitaa Refugee Network. Iskashitaa creates opportunities to integrate United Nations refugees into the Southern Arizona community while educating the public, strengthening the local food system, reducing local food waste, and increasing food security. 

For more information about Iskashitaa or if you want to make contribution go here: https://www.iskashitaa.org/about-us