Seeking Refuge

In this episode, Alex and Trista talk with Dr. Austin Kocher, a political and legal geographer with two decades of experience, about common misconceptions, what the average American isn’t knowledgeable about, and where he thinks the future of enforcement is headed. He critically analyzes publicly available government data and produces work that is easy for the average person to understand. It is a...

In this news brief, Kanyisile details the extreme impacts of flooding in Hawaii over the last month. She discusses the human effects, the environmental impacts, and concerns by city officials about valuing Wahiawā dam over the consequences on the surrounding community. This is a developing story and we encourage you to stay informed about incoming news surrounding the issue. Liked this episode? Le...

In this episode, Tina and Alex talk with Mike Young, executive director of Good Samaritan Clinic, a nonprofit providing free healthcare to individuals without insurance in Columbia, SC. They discuss the organization's history, mission, community outreach, and connections to migrant communities in Columbia. Liked this episode? Let us know! Subscribe and leave us a review below! Connect With Us If y...

In today’s news brief, Alex details the recently announced lease for a new ICE office in the heart of downtown Columbia, SC. He outlines reactions from city officials and community residents alike, as the office was planned without city approval. This story is developing, so continue to stay informed as it continues to evolve. Liked this episode? Let us know! Subscribe and leave us a review below!...

In this episode, Tina talks with ECAR and GARC, student organizations from Clemson University and the University of South Carolina, about their recent student activism. They share their stories, their missions, and their why. In times of uncertainty, it is more important than ever to stand by our immigrant and refugee communities so they know they are not alone in this fight. Liked this episode? L...

In this news brief, Alex takes us through the history of immigration to Minnesota, as well as the cultural additions immigrants have made in the state. Minnesota has been a hotspot in recent immigration events regarding ICE in the United States. This news brief helps to situate recent events in a longer legacy of immigration to the area. If you'd like to learn more about Minnesotan refugees and ho...

In this episode, Miranda talks with Dr. Carl Dahlman, Professor of Geography at the University of South Carolina, about his research on the pattern of displacement, resettlement, and peace building following the Yugoslav wars in the 1990's. Liked this episode? Let us know! Subscribe and leave us a review below! Connect With Us If you or someone you know would like to share their personal refugee s...

In this episode, Tammy and Miranda talk with Dr. Caroline Nagel, Professor of Geography at the University of South Carolina, about her work with Christian volunteers who work in resettling refugees. We unpack what truly begins after migration— the negotiations of identity, faith, and community that unfold long after arrival through the lens of southern resettlement landscapes and volunteer-driven...

In this episode, Charlie talks with Nix Ruiz and Seth Hershberger from Lutheran Services Carolinas' New Americans Program. Nix and Seth discuss the mission and initiatives of the New Americans Program, as well as their experiences with the program, and how we can help get involved. If you would like to support Lutheran Services Carolinas, please visit lscarolinas.net , or reach out to your local l...

In this news brief, Josh examines Hurricane Melissa, the strongest hurricane in Jamaican history, which made landfall in Jamaica, Haiti, and Cuba last week. While offering details on the detrimental impacts of the hurricane, Josh also magnifies this hurricane as a case study of how natural disasters highlight unequal mobilities in our world and provokes thought surrounding the lack of internationa...

In this news brief, Miranda unpacks the escalating actions of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement under the second Trump administration. Once guided by discretion and humanitarian priorities, ICE has shifted toward aggressive mass enforcement, raids, violence, and expedited removals that blur the line between border security and human rights violations. With record-breaking federal funding an...

In this episode, Emily talks with Saleh about his experiences as a refugee from Lebanon. Specifically, he speaks about his challenges going to school in a new country, learning English as a second language, and how his experience was unique as a minor coming to America with his family. Liked this episode? Let us know! Subscribe and leave us a review below! Connect With Us If you or someone you kno...

In this news brief, Maggie breaks down a timeline of the South Florida Detention Facility, a temporary migrant detention center constructed in June 2025. This facility, nicknamed "Alligator Alcatraz" by politicians, has sparked public outcry, court cases, and national media coverage since its opening. As some condemn the facility for its inhumane conditions and lack of records, others he...

Welcome to a new season of Seeking Refuge! In this trailer, Tina and Charlie introduce our theme, The New Colossus, where we dive into the realities of resettlement in America. Tune in as we explore the history, policy, and human stories behind it. Liked this episode? Let us know! Subscribe and leave us a review below! Connect With Us If you or someone you know would like to share their personal r...

Today, Maggie and Angela chat with Dr. William Lopez, a Clinical Assisstant Professor on Health Behavior and Health Equity, a Senior Advisor on Poverty Solutions, and a Faculty Associate in Latino/a Studies at the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. Here, they discuss how public health is tied to community as well as Dr. Lopez's public health research which draws methods from Anthropology, specifi...

In today's news brief, Tina highlights the recent actions by President Trump to deport Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador's notorious Terrorism Confinement Center, citing the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to justify this deportation. Tina then expands on judicial efforts to thwart these actions, shedding light especially on President Trump's choice to ignore negative decisions and to go ahead with the...

Today, Diana and Charlie interview Reyna Grande, an author and activist from Guerrero, Mexico who writes about the realities faced by undocumented youth in the United States. In this episode, Reyna shares with us the implications of the US-Mexico border on individuals, her process of writing fiction and memoirs, and the future for immigrants to the US. If you would like to learn more about Reyna G...

In today’s news brief, Maggie highlights the effects of a recent executive order signed by President Trump on organizations supporting refugees. Specifically, Maggie focuses on the impacts of this executive order on Lutheran Services Carolinas, an organization in the local Columbia area near the University of South Carolina. The main challenges faced by LSC after this executive order have been eco...

Today, Tina interviews Dr. Jason De León, a professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, where he holds a split faculty position in the Department of Anthropology and Chicana/o Studies. Dr. De León's research interests revolve around theories of violence, materiality, Latin American migration, photoethnography, forensic science, and archaeology of the contemporary. He is the Executive D...

In this news brief, Miranda gives an update regarding one of Trump's most recent executive orders to pause federal funding for USAID. While the executive order only pauses funding for 90 days, Miranda discusses how it has already had damaging impacts across several humanitarian crises, including food relief in Sudan and essential health services in Pakistan and Bangladesh. Miranda also emphasizes...

Today, Maggie and Angela interview Alexandra Diaz, the author of The Only Road . The Only Road is a children’s book inspired by true events that depicts the journey of two cousins, Jaime and Ángela, who migrate from Guatemala to seek refuge in the United States. In this episode, Diaz explains her research process, her own experiences as a child of refugees, and her hopes for her impact on the unde...

In this news brief, Charlie gives an update regarding anti-immigrant executive actions by President Trump in his first two weeks in office. Those mentioned include the signing of the Laken Riley Act and the large-scale detention and deportation of undocumented immigrants in recent days. Charlie highlights international response to these actions, as well as the implications these actions may have o...

Today, Tina and Angela interview Judith and Andrea from the Border Line Crisis Center. This organization, located in Tijuana, Mexico, offers comprehensive care networks to migrants, including a community center and an emergency shelter for women and children. This interview covers a range of topics, from details of services offered, to worries about the incoming Trump administration’s impact on ca...

In this news brief, Miranda describes the current Los Angeles fires as a event displacing many in the area, as well as a moment of collaboration with firefighting aid from Canada and Mexico in addition to offers from other countries, including Ukraine. If you would like to donate, consider the Red Cross: https://www.redcross.org/ or text CAWILDFIRES to 90999 to make a donation. Liked this episode?...

In today's episode, Saanvi interviews Samuel Davidoff-Gore, an Associate Policy Analyst at the Migration Policy Institute. The Migration Policy Institute is a non-partisan think tank that focuses on immigration and integration policies in North America and Europe. This interview covers a range of topics from the misnomer of "climate refugees" to what addressing concerns about the souther...