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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 knew had to share, she had to put a HUMAN face to the word immigrant. Join us as she shares her story.

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/.

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

"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/featuredTo support Undocumented Tales visit their go fund me page:https://www.gofundme.com/f/undocumentedtalesFollow Undocumented Tales on Instagram:@undocumentedtalesIf you would like to share your story on the podcast please send an email to sharemystory@myimmigrantlife.comVisit our website: https://www.myimmigrantlife.com/Follow us on instagram:@myimmigrantlifepodcast

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.

“All I wanted to do was to make sure my parents' sacrifice was not in vain”. - AnonymousAs 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.

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.

Sometimes children bare the weigh of their parents decisions. Before they can even read, the consequences of their parents’ decisions haunt their lives. Some struggle to cope and their lives 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.

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@MyImmigrantLifePodcastGuest: Veronica Aguirre Davis @podsoundschoolTo submit your story or be a guest on the show please send us an email at sharemystory@myimmigrantlife.com

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.  

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 HernandezProducer and Editor: Erica HernandezGuest: Rose CastorilloFollow us on Instagram:@myimmigrantlifepodcastTo submit your story please email us at sharemystory@myimmigrantlife.com

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 LuisObispo County, part Monterey County, and part Santa Clara county (includingcities like Gilory, Morgan Hill, and some parts of San Jose)To learn more about Maria Cadenas visit her website https://www.maria2020.com/

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: @vidawithchristieHost: @thee_erica_hernandezPodcast: @myimmigrantlifepodcastTo be a guest on the podcast please send an email to sharemystory@myimmigrantlife.com

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 StoryPart 2: The Instagram PostPart 3: A Neighbors HateFollow us on Instagram: @myimmigrantlifepodcastHost: @thee_erica_hernandezFor story submissions and to guest bookings please send us an email at sharemystory@myimmigrantlife.com

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: @edgaricarreonHost: @thee_erica_hernandez @myimmigrantlifepodcast

On today's episode we interview author of Aventura, Amor, y Tacos, Maira Hernandez, shares her story about how a near death experience had her questioning the American Dream her parents immigrated for. Listen to learn more about how she reconnected with her culture and found her way to a more fulfilling life.Follow us on Instagram: @myimmigrantlifepodcastguest: @maira.hdez

On this episode we focus on choices immigrants are faced with due to their immigration status and/or vis limitations.To submit your story and be a guest please send an email to sharemystory@myimmigrantlife.comFollow us on Instagram: @myimmigrantlifepodcast

Neha Awasthi always fit like a misfit growing up in India. She questioned the rules her culture and society had set for you her. Her desire to live a life with less limitation is what lead her to live an immigrant life.Follow us Instragram: @myimmigrantlifepodcastGuest Neha Awasthi: @brain_gliderHost: @thee_erica_hernandez

This week we interview June Ponce. June works closely with immigrants because she manages the Human Resource department for her husband's owns a farming business in Watsonville, Ca. On this episode she shares inspiring stories from her immigrant employees, why she is involved philanthropically with her community, and we discuss the farm worker labor shortage threatening California. Follow us on Instagram: @myimmigrantlifepodcastTo submit your story please send an email to sharemystory@myimmigrantlife.com

Gigi Gutierrez immigrated to the US at the age of 14. Her dad didn't believe there was a reason for you to go to school, so when she was old enough to work, she was sent to pick strawberries. At age 18, she decided to start learning English. In school she met a teacher that motivated and encourage her to continue learning English. English open so many opportunities for Gigi and has lead her to a successful career. Gigi's immigration story is very similar to those of her community of Watsonville, Ca.Learn how & why many Mexican families immigrated into the US.Follow us on Instagram: @myimmigrantlifepodcastTo be a guest on the podcast and share your story please visit www.myimmigrantlife.com or send an email to sharemystory@myimmigrantlife.com