Épisodes

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

    Inside USCIS: Immigration Policy from Biden to Trump — With Amanda Baran
    Apr 24 2026
    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.
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    49 min
  • Immigration Edition: Myths vs Facts

    Immigration Edition: Myths vs Facts
    Apr 2 2026
    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.
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    10 min
  • The Process of Belonging — with Sol Espinoza

    The Process of Belonging — with Sol Espinoza
    Mar 6 2026
    41 min
  • H2A Visa: Behind the Headlines

    H2A Visa: Behind the Headlines
    Mar 6 2026
    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.

    Professor 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.
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    9 min
  • ICE In Your Community

    ICE In Your Community
    Jan 15 2026
    Listen to this relevant podcast where community member in Maryland asked what they would do when ICE come to town and acts on a number of immigration myths.

    Speakers include: Ernesto Castañeda, Marcy Campos, and Monica Palacio.
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    54 min
  • Immigration to the DMV after the COVID-19 Pandemic

    Immigration to the DMV after the COVID-19 Pandemic
    Nov 19 2025
    Presentation at the 2025 AU Public Anthropology Conference

    Authors: Anjini Patel, Hannah Wingo, Amanda Vincent, Quinn Pierson, Olivia Salamone, Tabby Ford, Katheryn Olmos, Caryalyn Jean, Dr. Ernesto Castaneda.
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    1 h
  • The Exclusion of LGBT+ Refugees in Kenya' Shikira Plan

    The Exclusion of LGBT+ Refugees in Kenya' Shikira Plan
    Nov 19 2025
    Immigration Lab member Chris Belden discusses the exclusion of LGBT+ refugees in Kenya's Shikira Plan.
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    8 min
  • Policy Shifts and the Power of Journalism

    Policy Shifts and the Power of Journalism
    Nov 11 2025
    CNN correspondent Priscilla Álvarez visits to discuss how recent immigration policy shifts impact people, communities, and international relations. She shares what it's like reporting on immigration today and talks about the role of journalists in promoting a fact-based narrative around immigration.
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    54 min