Over the past few years, racism has seemed to increase in America. From online bulling, to controversial comments by politicians, and to mass shootings targeting specific ethnic and racial groups. Racism, to some seems, to have become an epidemic. However, for some people, racism isn’t new. It is something they have dealt with since they were young. They grow up with being called names and may have been in physical danger just because of the color on their skin or where they were born.  Our guest, Luis Carazo, experience racism while growing up. However, he has managed to stay positive and has forgiven those who have hurt him.  On this episode of My Immigrant Life, Luis shares how he has stay positive through all his hardships and how we can create a world where misguided hatred minimized.  

My Immigrant Life

18 Misguided Hatred

Run or lose everything. At 9,  Betzy's future relied on one thing... running.  She had to run to keep up with her mom, run to be with her sister, run to see her dad again. She had to run! Betzy is 1 of 800,000 DACA recipients.  For years, she kept her family’s immigration story a secret.  However, given the narrative around immigrants she new had to share, she had to put a HUMAN face to the word immigrant.   Join us as she shares her story.

S2 E8 - I am a Dreamer, I am a Human

Erica sits down with Ana Shelia Victorino of Tamarindo Podcast. Ana Shelia shares her immigration story, how she stays connected with her culture, how she joined Tamarindo, and what opportunities she has had since then. Follow and support Tamarindo Podcast at https://www.tamarindopodcast.com/.

S2 E7 - Interview with Tamarindo - Part 2

This week, Erica is joined by the creator of Tamarindo Podcast, Brenda Gonzalez. Brenda and Erica discuss why Brenda's family came to the US, why she created her podcast, and how we can support our immigrant and Latinx communities. Support Tamarindo Podcast by going to their website https://www.tamarindopodcast.com/. If you have a story or want to be a quest on the show send us an email at sharemystory@myimmigrantlife.com

S2 E6 - Interview with Tamarindo - Part 1

"Undocumented Tales" is a web series on youtube about an undocumented queer immigrant from Mexico living the US. My Immigrant Life had the pleasure of interviewing its creator and lead actor Armando Ibanez. Armando opens up on his journey on creating a series of a story rarely untold. Watch Undocumented Tales on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/UndocumentedTales/featured To support Undocumented Tales visit their go fund me page: https://www.gofundme.com/f/undocumentedtales Follow Undocumented Tales on Instagram: @undocumentedtales If you would like to share your story on the podcast please send an email to sharemystory@myimmigrantlife.com Visit our website: https://www.myimmigrantlife.com/ Follow us on instagram: @myimmigrantlifepodcast

S2 E5 Undocumented Hollywood

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is US immigration policy that shields qualifying immigrants from deportation. Many recipients of this program, Dreamers, are anxiously awaiting for the Supreme Court to decide whether to end or continue this program. Our guest today, shares her experience as a Dreamer and her thoughts of the future of the program.

S2 E4 The Dreamer

“All I wanted to do was to make sure my parents' sacrifice was not in vain”. - Anonymous As teenagers, we all make mistakes… so many mistakes. Mistakes that we wish never existed! Luckily our mistakes are so innocent and harmless we can just sweep them under a rug and be left forgotten. Some may surface and we just laugh or we appreciate them because it was a significant lesson that we needed to learn. However some of us can’t escape the mistakes of our past. Even the mistakes that we weren’t aware of or were naive about can hunt us as adults. On today's show, we feature the story of a woman who finds herself in a sticky situation after a clerical error made by a DMV employee because the employee didn’t know how to fill out the paperwork. Today's guest shares all the struggles she has encountered due to this error and the decision she has made to free yourself from the mistake.

S2 E3 Cars, Careers, Crashing Dreams

Karen thought she was just going to meet Mickey Mouse, but she in reality she moving to the land of opportunities. Life was good to Karen until she hit a bump in the road when she aspired to get a higher education. She was undocumented, so she didn't qualify for financial aid and had to pay out of state tuition fee. Karen shares her experiences how she found a way to persevere, pay for her education, and became a citizen.

S2 E2 The Price of Higher Education

Sometimes children bare the weight of their parents decisions. Before they can even read the circumstances of their parents decision haunt their lives. Some struggle to cope and their life goes dark. This is what happened to our guest. His parents decided his faith when they came into the country undocumented and the events that transpired affected his mental health.

S2 E1 Too Much Too Young

Imagine arriving in New York, seeing tall buildings, experiencing everything wonderful that you pictured America to be based on what you saw on TV. The houses, the cars, the stores. Only to feel captive in the country of freedom. This is the story of many immigrant women who are brought to this country with the promise of a better life but find themselves in a story much different than they pictured. Join us on this episode with Veronica Aguirre Davis in her story of recognizing her right to be in this country and finding her power and freedom again!  No matter your immigration status, domestic violence is against the law. If you or anyone you know is in an abusive relationship please visit the sites listed below for more information on how you can get help. https://casadeesperanza.org/ https://www.thehotline.org/ https://www.futureswithoutviolence.org/ Follow us on Instagram @MyImmigrantLifePodcast Guest: Veronica Aguirre Davis @podsoundschool To submit your story or be a guest on the show please send us an email at sharemystory@myimmigrantlife.com

19 Captive in the Land of the Free

Rose, moved from the Philippines as a teenager to live with her father in America. Growing up in the Philippines she knew she was poor and believed that in America, her father had a rich life. However upon arrival she shortly realized that she was in the same situation she was back home. Rose takes us on her immigration journey from a little girl in the Philippines moving from place to place just trying to survive to starting over in America with her father, her stepmother and half siblings. Writers: Maira Hernandez, Erica Hernandez Producer and Editor: Erica Hernandez Guest: Rose Castorillo Follow us on Instagram: @myimmigrantlifepodcast To submit your story please email us at sharemystory@myimmigrantlife.com

17 Wait, This is America?

Maria Cadenas is 2020 California State Senate Candidate for district 17 sits with host Erica Hernandez. She shares here immigration story, why she decided to run for senate, and gives more information about her campaign and the big issues she is focusing on. District 17 covers all of Santa Cruz County, all of San Luis Obispo County, part Monterey County, and part Santa Clara county (including cities like Gilory, Morgan Hill, and some parts of San Jose) To learn more about Maria Cadenas visit her website https://www.maria2020.com/

16 Interview with a 2020 California State Senate Candidate

Today, guest Christie Lazo, describes how being one of the few or the only Latina in her community made her feel like a fish out of water. Follow us on Instagram:Guest: @vidawithchristie Host: @thee_erica_hernandez Podcast: @myimmigrantlifepodcast To be a guest on the podcast please send an email to sharemystory@myimmigrantlife.com

A Fish out of Water

On this episode host Erica Hernandez gets real. She shares why she started this podcast. Talks about a post she recently made on Instagram regarding the how the silence of struggles can stale change, and share a racial experience her friend and coworker went through. Part 1: My Immigrant Life's Birth Story Part 2: The Instagram Post Part 3: A Neighbors Hate Follow us on Instagram: @myimmigrantlifepodcast Host: @thee_erica_hernandez For story submissions and to guest bookings please send us an email at sharemystory@myimmigrantlife.com

Real Talk

On this episode, Edgar shares is immigration story and how it shaped me. Constantly bulling from class mate, lead him to worked hard and tirelessly to prove himself to his peers. He wanted to be seen as an equal. Edgar shares for the first time with the world how being an immigrant and being bullied affected him and how he overcame it. Follow us on Instagram: Guest: @edgaricarreon Host: @thee_erica_hernandez @myimmigrantlifepodcast

I am different, but I am equal!

My Immigrant Life is dedicate to humanize and uplift immigrants. In this podcast, immigrants share their journeys and struggles. We will also showcase the rise and empowerment of first/second generation Americans.