 Thousands of Afghan evacuees are still unmoored months after the U.S withdrawal from Afghanistan. Many remain on military bases in the U.S. and across the world. Their stories don’t end with evacuation - in fact, it’s just the beginning of a resettlement process that requires a formidable amount of planning, resources, and cooperation across communities. This multi-part series looks at the stories of those helping these evacuees.    In our first episode, we speak to Bri Stensrud, Director of Women of Welcome about the incredible response and outpouring of support from their community to help Afghan refugees. Specific information about outreach and ways to help Afghan refugees can be found here.   

Only in America with Ali Noorani

Welcoming Afghans, Part I

 We are back! Thank you for joining us after our brief break.   Not all heroes wear capes, but this one does wear a Captain America costume. Vishavjit Singh is a writer, artist, creator of Sikhtoons, and Sikh Captain America. He uses his powers of building bridges and storytelling to fight intolerance and have difficult conversations to create understanding. He tells us his origin story and about his new animated film, “American Sikh”, an animated short about seeking acceptance in an intolerant world.  You can donate to his Kickstarter here. 

Sikh Captain America

 This week we look at the symbolism and substance of borders. We’ve covered the US/Mexico border previously, but this time we take a large look at borderlands and what those lines mean for the people living on either side.   Ali speaks with VICE news correspondent David Noriega and Danilo Zak Policy & Advocacy Associate at the Forum.    Check us out on Twitter and Facebook for more great stories from our podcast.  

What do borders mean in a globalized world?

 Immigration reform for Dreamers could be on the horizon, but what does achieving it through budget reconciliation mean for future immigration reform efforts? This week we speak to Bill Kristol director of Defending Democracy Together. Our conversation looks at what the potentially $3.5 trillion budget package would really mean for DACA and other immigration laws as well as the future of bipartisan legislation.   Watch the full version of the live conversation on our Facebook page.  And find out more about reconciliation with a newly released explainer on our website.   

Reconciliation and Immigration Reform

 The Olympics are a unique opportunity to celebrate both individual victories and our collective unity.  And this week we went for the gold! Ali speaks with former Olympian and refugee Makorobondo “Dee” Salukombo about learning to love running and his work starting Project Kirotshe a program that pays children in Congo’s school fees as they train and run races throughout Eastern Africa.   Check us out on Twitter and Facebook for more great stories from our podcast.   

Olympic Dreams: Makorobondo “Dee” Salukombo

 As the Olympics approach and we collectively turn our TVs to feats of athleticism, we highlight another way sports brings people together. This week’s episode features the co-founders of the Curbside Cup – a soccer tournament for refugee children in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Terri Sheldon and Jean Bosco Tuyisenge tell the story of how the tournament came together and how soccer led to new possibilities.   Check us out on Twitter and Facebook for more great stories from our podcast.   

Fútbol is Life

 Driving through neighborhoods across the country, you could see the effects. Shuttered storefronts. Quiet business districts. Not to mention the stories of families who have scraped by day after day, over the last year. In this episode, we check bring stories of immigrant business owners and workers who have been essential to the response and recovery to COVID-19.   Ali speaks with Ramiro Cavazos, Issaka Kouraogo and Lawrence Yoo for our episode this week.   Check us out on Twitter and Facebook for more great stories to help celebrate Immigrant Heritage Month!  

Immigrants are Essential to Economic Recovery

 Driving through neighborhoods across the country, you could see the effects. Shuttered store fronts. Quiet business districts. Not to mention the stories of families who have scraped by day after day, over the last year. This episode, we check bring stories of immigrant business owners and workers who have been essential to the response and recovery to COVID-19.   Ali speaks with Ramiro Cavazos, Issaka Kouraogo and Lawrence Yoo for our episode this week.   Check us out on Twitter and Facebook for more great stories to help celebrate Immigrant Heritage Month! 

OiA - Financial Recovery 4

 Our celebration of Immigration Heritage Month continues! And as much as Immigrant Heritage Month is a joyful occasion, it’s also an opportunity to remember how much more work there is to be done.   For part 2, we revisit some of last week’s guests -- and talk to some new ones -- to hear more about their heritage and how it informs their sense of being American. We are joined by guests Jessica Astudillo, Eric Kwak, Farah Larrieux, and Edilsa Lopez.  Check us out on Twitter and Facebook for more great stories to help celebrate Immigrant Heritage Month!  

Immigrant Heritage: The Stories behind the Numbers Pt. 2

 It’s Immigrant Heritage Month! And for the next two weeks, we’ll be sharing stories that shine a light on the contributions of immigrants – those who came here to work hard, seek opportunities or find protection – and what their experiences and recent research can tell us about the American Identity and American attitudes towards immigration.   We hear this week from, Jessica Astudillo, Emily Ekins, Farah Larrieux, and Edilsa Lopez.   Be sure to check out our Twitter and Facebook for more great stories to help celebrate Immigrant Heritage Month! 

Immigrant Heritage: The Stories behind the Numbers

 For local law enforcement, building trust within their communities is key to doing their jobs. But for many immigrant communities, contact with law enforcement is associated with discrimination, surveillance and a risk of deportation. This week we ask: How can local police build a better relationship with their communities?    In the final stop on our virtual road trip through Utah, we talk to Salt Lake City Police Chief Mike Brown. Chief Brown discusses how his department is building a pathway for a diverse range of young people, including DACA recipients, to get involved in a career in law enforcement.   

Field Notes: Utah – Chief Mike Brown

 In Utah, where the immigrant population has grown significantly in recent decades, federal policies are only the beginning of a conversation that can play out much more meaningfully at the local level. Utah’s changing demographics have presented new challenges – and new opportunities.   This week, Ali speaks with Salt Lake County Mayor and life-long Utahan Jenny Wilson. Mayor Wilson discusses how important it is to foster inclusivity and welcome – and critically, how to put those values into action. 

Field Notes: Utah – Mayor Jenny Wilson

 We’re back on our virtual road trip through Utah, taking a look back at what we’ve learned about the state so far -- and also looking ahead. Our first two Utah conversations helped us understand the experiences of immigrants and the history of the Latino community in the state, and our upcoming guests will help us understand how community leaders in Utah are working to advance the conversation around immigration in the state. Dr. Armando Solorzano is an author and associate professor at the University of Utah, where he’s been teaching for 30 years. Bernardo Castro is a Utah Dreamer, BYU graduate and small business owner.    Do you have any questions or thoughts for our upcoming guests? Let us know and your question may be featured in an upcoming episode of Only in America. Let us know: digital@immigrationforum.org Also mentioned in this episode: Our previous interviews with Esmeralda Tovar.   

Field Notes- Utah Looking back and moving forward

What happens when a group of evangelical women come together to advocate for refugees? This week we hear from Tess Clarke, Director of We Welcome Refugees, about their effort to gather voices from across the country to urge President Biden to raise the refugee ceiling. Some people sent their voicemails in before this month’s announcement, and some were recorded after. These emotional messages detail why refugees are so important to this country - and why it’s important for people of faith to step up.  

A Country of Welcome: Part II

 We’re taking a break from Utah this week to address President Biden’s refugee ceiling announcement. Our virtual road -trip will be back soon!   President Biden’s decision this week to raise the refugee ceiling to 62,500 came after a broad range of voices urged the administration to reconsider their initial decision to keep the ceiling at the historically low 15,000 set by President Trump.    Ali speaks with Edafe Okporo, a global gay rights activist and executive director of the RDJ Refugee Shelter in Harlem, New York, about his experience with the US asylum system and how he is trying to help other asylees. We also hear from Jenny Yang, Senior Vice President of Advocacy and Policy at World Relief, about the growing need for refugee resettlement.  

A Country of Welcome

What really drives the immigration debate? It’s people, not politics. Join us for “Only in America” podcast, to hear how Americans from all walks of life and from across the political spectrum are experiencing changes in their communities as a result of immigration. Faith leaders, law enforcement officials, business owners and others speak openly about the way culture, identity and values are shaping and defining our country, and they offer a constructive way forward in the immigration debate.

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Only in America with Ali Noorani

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