Immigration Realities

Inside USCIS: Immigration Policy from Biden to Trump — With Amanda Baran

This episode covers immigration policies under the Biden administration with Amanda Baran – the former Principal Director for Immigration Policy and Chief of Public Engagement at USCIS. Ms. Baran’s public service career spans over a decade at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, where she held several leadership positions in which she advanced immigration, civil rights, and gender equity initiatives. In this conversation, Baran along with Dr. Ernesto Castañeda and Marshall Plane explore the work done by USCIS under President Biden, contrasting it with changes to the agency in Trump’s second term. We encourage students at American University to tune in, as our goal is to spark awareness, challenge assumptions, and promote a deeper understanding of this important topic.  Authors: Amanda Baran is a research fellow at the Immigration Lab at the Center for Latin American and Latino Studies. She served on the Biden-Harris Transition Team and subsequently held a senior political appointment in the Biden Administration as Chief of Policy and Strategy at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).  Ernesto Castañeda, PhD is the Director of the Center for Latin American and Latino Studies and the Immigration Lab. He is a full Professor at the College of Arts and Sciences and the School of International Service at American University. Castañeda has published over a dozen books and articles and his insights and commentary are frequently featured in public talks, policy discussions, and major media outlets, making him a prominent voice in public debates on immigration and Latino issues. His analyses have appeared in prominent news outlets such as The Washington Post, the BBC, NPR and more.  Marshall Plane is a Research Coordinator at the Immigration Lab. His research focuses on immigration in urban areas, with on recent arrivals to New York City. Plane is a Co-author of the newly published book Global Pathways: To Becoming New Americans.

Immigration Edition: Myths vs Facts

This podcast dives into the many narratives surrounding immigration, from widely believed myths to the truth backed by real facts. In our conversations, we explore how media often shapes and distorts public perception, while highlighting the lived realities of immigration that are often overlooked. We especially encourage students at American University to tune in, as our goal is to spark awareness, challenge assumptions, and promote a deeper understanding of this important topic.  Authors: Jadie Bonilla is a Research Intern at the Immigration Lab and at the Center for Latin American & Latino Studies. She is in the Neuroscience program in the College of Arts and Sciences at American University. Jackson Wu is a Research Intern at the Immigration Lab. His research focuses on the intersection of international migration, labor, and health.

The Process of Belonging — with Sol Espinoza

This episode explores the idea of “belonging” as something that is built over time rather than instantly granted, especially in the context of migration and community life. Through a conversation with Sol Espinoza and host Ernesto Castañeda, it looks at how immigrants navigate identity, community acceptance, and connection after arriving in a new place. A central theme is that belonging is not just about legal status or physical presence, but about the social, emotional, and everyday processes that help people feel recognized and included in a community.

H2A Visa: Behind the Headlines

In the current political climate, it may seem as though all migration to the United States is being prohibited; however some legal pathways to entry are actually being expanded and implemented. The H2A agricultural guestworker visa program allows farmers to sponsor migrant workers to enter the US legally, providing essential transportation and housing for the duration of their stay. This program is growing rapidly as a response to the loss of undocumented labor due to detentions and deportations. While the visa offers clear benefits, it presents unique challenges—specifically the power dynamics created when an employee is legally tied to a single employer. Dr. Ernesto Castañeda and Jesse Ontiveros discuss the rewards and risks of this system and its potential as a surprising pathway to residency.  Jesse Ontiveros is an artist, academic, and aspiring podcaster. After earning a BA in Anthropology from UCLA, he is currently pursuing an MA in Intercultural Relations and International Communication at American University.

ICE In Your Community

This episode centers on a real community question from a listener in Maryland about what people should do if ICE shows up in their community. The discussion directly addresses that concern and several common myths and misunderstandings about immigration enforcement. This conversation features Dr. Ernesto Castañeda, Marcy Campos, and Monica Palacio, who bring academic, legal, and community perspectives to the topic. Together, they unpack how immigration enforcement actually works, how misinformation spreads, and what kinds of fears communities often experience when discussing ICE activity.