National Immigration Law Center Freedom to Thrive Podcast

Join us as we wrap up Season 2 of the Freedom To Thrive: Resistance, Justice and Resilience podcast, featuring Grammy Award–winning artist Lila Downs. Host Hector Flores talks with Lila about music, her Indigenous roots, migration, and resistance. From Oaxaca to Minnesota, Lila reflects on identity, ancestry, and her new album Cambias Mi Mundo (You Change My World), which includes a collaboration...

Today, award-winning Somali multimedia artist Ifrah Mansour joins our host Hector Flores for a thoughtful conversation about life in Minneapolis during these challenging times. Ifrah reflects on how the community has rallied together to support and protect their Somali neighbors. From surviving civil war and displacement to creating art that shelters memory and healing, Ifrah shares how culture, s...

Host Hector Flores is joined by comedian TJ (Tanael Joachim) for a conversation about comedy, immigration, and resilience. TJ reflects on growing up Haitian in America and how humor became both a coping mechanism and a tool for resistance. This episode reminds us that storytelling and laughter can build solidarity, inspire resistance, and fuel hope.

Storytelling is essential for survival. In this episode, host Hector Flores sits down with Pulitzer Prize–winning author Viet Thanh Nguyen to explore refugeedom, trauma, identity, humor, and the power of narrative in the fight against authoritarianism. From the refugee experience to the dangers of “authenticity,” Viet challenges us to tell better stories not just about ourselves, but about who we...

In this episode of Freedom to Thrive​: Resistance, Justice and Resilience, host Hector Flores is joined by ​​world-renowned artist and activist Dread Scott​. Together, they discuss his work challenging white supremacy, censorship, immigration raids, and state violence. Dread Scott reminds us that courage is contagious and art can help lead us fight.

Civil rights and labor icon Dolores Huerta delivers a masterclass in organizing, voting, collective power, and finding inspiration to keep fighting in dark times. She shares behind the scenes stories of her decades fighting for farmworker justice to protecting democracy. She is a powerful reminder we the people are the spring and WE have the power.

Freedom to Thrive returns with a powerful conversation bridging country music, justice, and community. This week, Hector sits down with rising country artist Bryan Andrews to talk about music, working-class roots, and why speaking up for immigrant families matters now more than ever. We’re also joined by organizer and strategist Eliana Fernandez, who breaks down what communities can do to stay inf...

In this powerful Freedom to Thrive episode, Hector sits down with ​venerated human rights lawyer and Time Magazine honoree Efrén Olivares, NILC’s Vice President of Litigation and Legal Strategy. From childhood memories on the U.S.​ Mexico border to stopping the midnight deportation of unaccompanied children, Efren shares stories of justice, resistance, and the immigrant experience that shaped him....

In this episode of NILC’s Freedom to Thrive, host Hector Flores sits down with Palestinian comedian, actor, and show creator Mo Amer to talk about his immigration journey, his identity, and how he transforms his lived experiences into art. From Houston to Palestine and on to Netflix breakthroughs, Mo shares stories of resilience, family, and finding freedom through storytelling. If you love immigr...

Freedom to Thrive: Resistance, Justice, Resilience Podcast is back with Season 2, and we’re kicking things off with a powerful first episode: “Comedy is Resistance.” Our new host, Hector Flores, an LA-based artist and founding member of Las Cafeteras, welcomes acclaimed comedian and writer Cristela Alonzo, fresh off her third Netflix comedy special, to explore how laughter fuels activism. From gro...

Welcome to this episode of the Freedom to Thrive podcast, hosted by Héctor Flores of the band Las Cafeteras. Join us as Héctor engages in a powerful conversation with Kica Matos, a dedicated activist and President of the National Immigration Law Center. Together, they explore themes of resilience and solidarity in the fight for immigrant and human rights. In this heartfelt episode, discover the pi...

The latest episode of the NILC Freedom to Thrive podcast delves into the pressing issue of immigration, shining a light on the widespread protests against ICE raids happening across the U.S. From Los Angeles to unexpected places like Alabama and Nebraska, communities are standing strong in support of immigrants. In a poignant segment, Victoria Ballesteros is joined by Sam Cutler-Kreutz, the direct...

In this episode, our podcast returns amidst a national crisis that threatens not just immigrant rights but the fundamental rights of all Americans. We explore the devastating impact of fires in Los Angeles and the power of community resilience in the face of adversity. From the ashes, a sense of solidarity emerged, showcasing the strength and spirit of diverse communities, led by immigrants and wo...

In this episode of the NILC Freedom to Thrive podcast, host Victoria Ballesteros speaks with Roxanne Coady, founder of R.J. Julia Booksellers and Read to Grow. Roxanne shares her journey and the role that literature has played in her life. Her love for books, fostered by her father, a Hungarian immigrant baker, not only shaped her life but also inspired her to open a bookstore that serves as a com...

In this episode of the NILC Freedom to Thrive Podcast, Victoria Ballesteros delves into the eye-opening documentary 'Borderland, The Line Within.' The film explores the pervasive and hidden border industrial complex that stretches far beyond the southwestern U.S., highlighting its impact in communities nationwide. Join Victoria as she speaks with the documentary's filmmakers Pamela Yates and Paco...

In this special post-election episode of the NILC Freedom to Thrive podcast, host Victoria Ballesteros engages in a crucial conversation with Kica Matos, President of the National Immigration Law Center (NILC). As the nation grapples with the aftermath of a defining presidential election, they discuss the heightened anxiety and despair felt by immigrant communities and their allies. Kica shares in...

Join host Victoria Ballesteros as she welcomes the legendary Cheech Marin to the NILC Freedom to Thrive Podcast. In this engaging episode, Cheech shares fond memories of his childhood, his family's influence on his comedic career, and the origin of his iconic nickname. Dive deep into Cheech's trailblazing journey as a comedian, musician, actor, and art collector, and explore how he has continuousl...

In this captivating episode of the NILC Freedom to Thrive podcast, host Victoria Ballesteros sits down with NASA astronaut John Daniel "Danny" Olivas, the first person of Mexican-American heritage to walk in space. Together, they explore the age-old human fascination with space, touching on how ancient cultures worshipped lunar and solar deities, and how the stars have guided explorers through his...

Join host Victoria Ballesteros on the NILC Freedom to Thrive podcast as she delves into the untold stories of immigrants beyond the common narratives. In this episode, Victoria welcomes Dr. Felecia Russell, a Jamaican-born, American-raised researcher, author, and advocate for Black immigrants. Together, they explore the vibrant and diverse experiences of immigrants, challenging the often one-dimen...

In this episode of the NILC Freedom to Thrive Podcast, host Victoria Ballesteros sits down with the multitalented performing artist, writer, comedian and activist, Kristina Wong. From her early days at UCLA to becoming a Pulitzer Prize finalist, Kristina's journey is as unconventional as it is inspiring. Listen in as Kristina shares anecdotes about her eclectic career, from her satirical website "...

In this episode of the NILC Freedom to Thrive podcast, host Victoria Ballesteros sits down with four-time Emmy Award-winning comedian, author, and filmmaker W. Kamau Bell. Kamau shares insights from his extensive career, including his experiences from his acclaimed CNN show "United Shades of America." Victoria and Kamau discuss the importance of empathy, curiosity, and listening in bridging divide...

In this episode of the NILC Freedom to Thrive Podcast, host Victoria Ballesteros engages in conversation with acclaimed writer and storyteller, Karla Cornejo Villavicencio. Karla, an immigrant from Ecuador and Harvard graduate, is reshaping the narrative around immigrants in America through her powerful works "The Undocumented Americans," and "Catalina." In this episode, Karla shares her journey a...

In this episode of the NILC Freedom to Thrive podcast, host Victoria Ballesteros sits down with Kika Matos, President of the National Immigration Law Center. Kica Matos is a social justice advocate, lawyer, and national immigrant rights leader. Kica gets to the heart of America's immigration issues, sharing personal stories and professional insights. From the historical context of immigration laws...

In this episode of the NILC Freedom to Thrive podcast, host Victoria Ballesteros delves into a heartfelt conversation with internationally acclaimed Filipinx chef and author, Chef Angel Dimayuga. Chef Angel is a culinary trailblazer with accolades such as the James Beard Foundation Award and Zagat 30 Under 30. Chef Angel discusses discusses their journey from a young, ambitious cook to a renowned...

In this episode of the NILC Freedom to Thrive podcast, host Victoria Ballesteros explores the powerful intersection of music and social justice with special guest, Hector Flores, co-founder of the band Las Cafeteras. Join us as Hector shares his journey from social justice organizer to musician, highlighting the inspiration behind songs like "Caravana," "Vivas Nos Queremos," and "La Bamba Rebelde....