Immigration Realities

Book Talk: Immigration and Urban Vitality - How Immigrants Shape Prosperous Cities

Cities need immigration to thrive. These newcomers allow for a mix of cultures and ideas that shapes innovation and economic growth. From New York to Paris to Mexico City

Book Talk At Princeton - Leave If You Can: Migration and Violence in Bordered Worlds by Amelia Frank-Vitale

Hondurans have been at the heart of some of the most visible migration phenomena in the last few years, as well as the direct target of anti-immigrant rhetoric and policy

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 Engag

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 me

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 lif

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 ex

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 addr

Immigration to the DMV after the COVID-19 Pandemic

American University Sociology Research & Practice MA students present research at the 2025 Public Anthropology conference, drawing on 233 in-depth interviews with recentl

The Exclusion of LGBT+ Refugees in Kenya' Shikira Plan

Chris Belden, Research Assistant at the Immigration Lab, discusses the exclusion of LGBT+ refugees in Kenya's Shikira Plan and discusses possible solutions.

Policy Shifts and the Power of Journalism

CNN correspondent Priscilla Álvarez visits to discuss how recent immigration policy shifts impact people, communities, and international relations. She shares what it's l

Understanding Immigration

Dr. Ernesto Castañeda continues the conversation of Immigration Realities, while addressing misconceptions surrounding migration trends, lifestyles, and integration. His

Criminalized by Design: How U.S. Immigration Policy Hurts Families, Not Crime Rates

“Criminalized by Design: How U.S. Immigration Policy Hurts Families, Not Crime Rates”  Immigration Congressional Policy Brief May 21, 2025 Dirksen Senate Office Building

The Effects of the Latest Immigration Policies

In this episode, we listen to "Immigration In Focus: Insights from Policy Experts," an event that took place at American University on Thursday, April 24; though the nega

Asylum Seekers and New Arrivals in DC and NYC

In this podcast, the Immigration Lab researchers discuss some of the results of ongoing research including over 200 in-depth interviews with new arrivals, including immig

The First 100 Days Immigration Policy

This podcast is a recording of a live immigration policy panel that took place at American University on April 4, 2025. The first in a series of 2 podcasts. Interviewer T

Rhetoric vs. Reality: The Migrant "Crisis" and the Current Response

Dr. Castañeda, Anthony Sandoval, Joseph Fournier, and Marshall Plane discuss the rhetoric about recent immigration and the Trump administration's current response. Topics

Unpacking Trump's First Month

Dr. Castañeda breaks down Trump's first month executive actions regarding immigration, putting his policies in legal and historical context. Marshall Plane talks about h