Stories that will inspire, demoralize and delight
An immigration attorney since 2000, Mo Goldman has seen the
good, the bad and the consistent ugly of the U.S. immigration
system. Mo's law practice, Goldman Immigration, PC is based in Tucson, Arizona. He enjoys educating the public about our immigration policies, laws and practices. He has recently published the educational memoir The Last Survivor: Lessons From the Past and the Dying Dream of Freedom.
Immigration Ain't Easy provides a variety of perspectives and stories on modern-day U.S. immigration. The show will bring some levity to an often somber subject. Shows include:
Your voice matters! Contact Mo if you are interested in being a guest on the podcast. Email mo@immigrationainteasy or connect on X, Facebook or other social media. We need to share our stories and make sure history doesn't keep repeating itself.
Erick Lastarria: An immigrant from Lima, Peru who arrived in the U.S. in September 1997 at 18 years old. After a long journey, he is getting close to finally achieving his American Dream.
Sgt. Talib Abdoulaye & Attorney Beth Boyer: Sgt. Abdoulaye came to the U.S. as a refugee from Chad when he was 12 years old. Over a decade later, as a sergeant in the U.S. Army, he returned to adopt his five half-siblings (all minors) after the untimely passing of his mother during childbirth. Bringing them to the U.S. was complicated and, thankfully, a pro bono lawyer named Beth Boyer came to the rescue! All 5 children received humanitarian parole are now live safely with Sgt. Abdoulaye thanks to Ms. Boyer and Senator Mark Kelly's office. I interview both Ms. Boyer and Sgt. Abdoulaye about this story. Taking on 5 adoptees comes with significant challenges, especially while proudly serving in our military. A gofundme has been organized for his family, if you would like to contribute: https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__gofund.me_153f8a16&d=DwMFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=Zd4au5_5bSgMp-JQAaRz8S0DUDzWm7Sq8qZ0XldVmHI&m=wDc19umWZRsdOeHwGvTHepMaUH3jsAQr5COCNIn-RTyviXzIXetJLn7SFOmnPffE&s=ZkfvmWEqzJ8upTTgdHFpBlSpxlCro58rZ-SgRIuGEyE&e=
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
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.
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.
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!
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