In The Community
Originally published inThe Latino Newsletter–reprinted with permission.
Ever since President Joe Biden announced on Sunday afternoon that he would not seek a second term and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the 2024 Democratic Party nominee, several Latino Democrats and organizations have been sharing statements of support. Here is just a sampling of the Harris endorsements. (FYI, the New York Times has a comprehensive list of all Democratic elected officials who are all in for Harris as of Monday morning. This list is being updated, and other Latino Democrats are on the complete list.)
Several Democratic-leaning Latino organizations also shared support for Harris. Here are links to four of those groups and their statements:
In a significant policy shift, President Joe Biden is set to announce new executive actions that will protect an estimated half a million undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens from deportation. This is what’s known.
The plan will provide “parole in place” to undocumented individuals who have been living in the country for at least a decade. It will also open a path for eligible immigrants to apply for legal permanent status and obtain work permits. The plan provides a road to documented status not only for spouses of U.S. citizens but also for their noncitizen minors and stepchildren.
According to a senior White House official who requested anonymity, "These actions will promote family unity and strengthen our economy, providing a significant benefit to the country and helping U.S. citizens and their noncitizen family members stay together," as reported by NPR.
This announcement follows recent executive actions that severely restricted asylum eligibility for most undocumented immigrants. The Biden administration has stressed that while securing the southern border is a priority, so is reforming the immigration system to provide better support for families in America. The Biden administration program will provide two main benefits for immigrants. On one hand, it will allow those eligible to work and live in the country on a legal yet temporary basis. It will also allow immigrants to overcome legal hurdles that keep them from achieving permanent legal status.
Contrary to popular belief, undocumented immigrants cannot simply marry U.S. citizens to obtain legal status. While immigrants who marry U.S. citizens are generally eligible for a green card, it depends on how they entered the country. Those who entered without proper immigration documentation and married a U.S. citizen need to re-enter the country through proper channels to be eligible for a green card. Living in the U.S. after entering without the required immigration documents can lead to a 10-year ban, causing long-term separations for mixed-status families. This is the main reason they don’t go ahead with this process.
The new “parole in place” policy changes that process by allowing eligible immigrants to obtain a green card without having to leave and re-enter the country. After 5 years of being green card holders, they will be able to apply for citizenship. To qualify for "parole in place," undocumented individuals must have been in the U.S. for at least 10 years and married to a U.S. citizen since June 17 or earlier. The plan excludes immigrants who have been previously deported.
According to a communication distributed by the White House, approximately 500,000 undocumented spouses and 50,000 non-citizen stepchildren with a U.S. citizen parent are expected to benefit from this new policy. The Department of Homeland Security will assess each case individually, granting approved individuals three years to apply for permanent residency.
The announcement is set to mark the 12th anniversary of DACA, the program that provides temporary protection to undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as minors. The White House plan includes new provisions for expedited work visas for DACA recipients, also known as “Dreamers,” who have earned degrees from U.S. institutions and have job offers in their fields of study.
While the new plan offers hope to many, it’s expected to face significant legal and political challenges. However, for many immigrant families, especially Latinos, it represents a crucial step toward stability and unity, offering a chance to build a future without the constant fear of separation and the uncertainty that comes with it. In the coming weeks, more information about the application and eligibility process will become available in the Federal Register.
The public is encouraged to rely on the Federal Register as a trustworthy source of information as things develop further and the process is unveiled step-by-step. It’s essential to seek credible sources of information to avoid scams perpetrated by fraudulent lawyers and notaries seeking to profit from the public’s need for guidance with the application process and required paperwork.
Podcasting has become so popular that it seems like everyone and their mother has one nowadays. That doesn’t mean high-quality Latine podcasts are easy to find. Fortunately, we’re always scouring the interwebs to bring you the latest and greatest podcasts amplifying Latino voices, stories, and perspectives. Whether you like your podcasts to be about personal stories, culture, politics, or just a good bit of fun chit-chat, you’ll find something to love on this list:
Latino USA
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Hosted by Maria Hinojosa, a well-established, award-winning reporter who has been the first Latina in many newsrooms, “Latino USA” is a great source of news from a Latino perspective. If you want to be aware of Latino politics, social issues, and culture that the mainstream media often misses, this is the podcast to add to your roster. Hinojosa’s interviews are particularly insightful and her overall storytelling is engaging and informative, so this is a must-listen to stay up-to-date on Latino news. “Latino USA” has been around since 1992 as a radio program, and now a podcast, making it the longest-running Latino-focused program on public media in the U.S. You can check it out on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other podcast networks.
Tamarindo
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“Tamarindo” is hosted by Brenda Gonzalez and Ana Sheila Victorino and it’s one of those light-hearted podcasts that discuss politics, culture, and personal development. It’s a very conversational podcast that brings attention to important issues in the Latino community, including race, gender, and representation. You can expect insightful interviews with changemakers and creatives, and conversations that invite personal reflection, champion advocacy, and encourage self-care. Visit their website to check out the latest episodes or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more.
100 Latina Birthdays
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Brought to you by reporters in Chicago, “100 Latina Birthdays” is an original documentary series podcast from LWC Studios. It dives deep into the issue of health and wellness by investigating the health and lifetime outcomes of Latinas in the U.S. The premise of the series is to explore Latina health from birth to age 100. In its first season, the episodes focus on Latinas during their perinatal journeys, childhood, and adolescence, covering their experiences up until age 20. The stories are insightful and essential for understanding the health challenges Latinas face during each milestone. If you're interested in the intersections of health, culture, and community, this podcast is a must-listen while you wait for season 2 to come out. You can find it on the "100 Latina Birthdays" website, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other major platforms.
Birthful
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Hosted by Venezuelan Adriana Lozada, an advanced birth doula and postpartum educator, “Birthful” is all about pregnancy and the postpartum experience. As a former journalist, Lozada uses her skills to interview top experts in the fields as well as parents, to provide relevant, useful information and encourage deep knowledge about the transformational power of giving birth. The episodes of this podcast offer a lot of insight into pregnancy, so if you’re on that journey, it can be immensely valuable to you and help you navigate this stage of your life. You can check the episodes out on their website or listen on Apple Podcasts, among other platforms.
In the Business with Juan & Anjelica
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If you’re in your entrepreneurial era, then you already know how important it is to learn from people who have already found success in the business world. Especially Latinos! “In the Business with Juan & Anjelica” is a good source of that. It’s hosted by Juan Alanis, founder and CEO of Big Oak Tree Media, and Anjelica Cazares, founder of the Latina Leadership Podcast (which we’ll discuss next). “In the Business” is a blend of personal stories, business insights, and cultural reflection. As Mexican Americans and entrepreneurs, Alanis and Cazares bring a unique perspective to the conversation and they interview professionals across a variety of fields. It’s the perfect podcast to go with your morning coffee and you’ll learn something new with each episode. You can listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.
Latina Leadership Podcast
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Anjelica Cazares has a lot to say about entrepreneurship, but also about women’s health and wellness. Cazares is particularly passionate about helping women connect and learn from each other, so she created a space for that. The “Latina Leadership Podcast” is a weekly program where Latinas from all walks of life can have open conversations about their unique journeys through insightful interviews. With co-hosts Carolina Arenas, Olga Rodriguez, and Susie Barrera, Cazares explores the diversity and richness of the experiences Latinas have in the U.S. Particularly when it comes to achieving positions of power at any level, which is often an uphill battle. You can listen on their website or Apple Podcasts, among other platforms.
Vibin’ & Kinda Thrivin’
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Hosted by Vee Rivera and Alessandra Gonzalez, “Vibin' & Kinda Thrivin'” is a fun girl talk podcast where they discuss many relevant topics. Including mental health, social media (and the crazy stories that often come up there), motherhood, and more. The goal of the podcast is to just vibe while also providing Latinas in their 30s with a sense of community. It’s also a good source of laughter! This is a laid-back podcast that makes you feel like you’re sitting with two friends, exploring lighthearted and complex topics alike, depending on the day. You can listen on Apple Podcasts, Podcast One, and Spotify, among other platforms.
Unbreakable Latina
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“Unbreakable Latina” is a space where Latinas can speak about the things they usually keep quiet about being first-generation. Hosted by Melina, a first-generation Mexican American, this is the podcast to check out if you want content that relates to your experience with family, relationships, career, education, mental health, and everything in between. It’s also worth checking out if you want to understand perspectives and experiences outside of your own. Expect discussions about parentification, setting boundaries, heartaches, coming out to Latino parents, and so much more. You can listen on their website, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and more.
Alt.Latino
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Music is life and it’s also one of the best expressions of culture and heritage. “Alt.Latino” celebrates the richness of Latino culture through music and sitting down with established artists or rising stars. Hosted by Felix Contreras and Anamaria Sayre, this is the podcast to stay up-to-date with the music world from a Latino perspective. It’s also a good way to discover Latino voices in the industry! You can listen to this podcast on NPR, Apple Podcasts, and more.
La Lista
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Last but not least, “La Lista” is a podcast focused on Latinx writers and their identities. Hosted by Rubén Mendive, a queer immigrant of Mexican and Chilean descent, each episode of the podcast focuses on a different Latinx writer. The honest and engaging nterviews provide a space for writers and artists to talk about their unique backgrounds. Each interviewee opens up about their childhood and they take listeners through the journeys that led them to where they are today, offering perspective, insights, and representation. You can listen to the episodes on Apple Podcasts!