Special Report: Illegal By Decree Port Of Entry podcast

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Special Report: Illegal by Decree

9d ago 37:51

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Hello, friends!

We have a couple of special reports focusing on current issues facing the borderlands: migration.

Migration is a contentious and polarizing topic that pundits often use to score political points against their opponents, often overlooking the real stories of people caught in the middle of this deeply entrenched debate. These stories of hope and resilience remind us of the importance of seeing others as human beings. Human beings with dreams and aspirations are just like anyone else.

In this second and final installment of our special report series, we sit down with a Venezuelan exile whom we are referring to as Chama. Chama entered the U.S. legally in 2022, following policies set by President Joe Biden's administration.

No, Chama is not her real name. She agreed to be interviewed on the condition that Port of Entry does not reveal her identity, as she lacks legal status and fears deportation from the U.S.

Fast forward to 2025, Chama became one of hundreds of thousands of migrants who lost their legal status due to an executive order by President Donald Trump. As a result, she now lives in the shadows, undocumented.

Today's episode delves into the first chapter of Chama's migrant journey—her odyssey out of Venezuela and her determination to reunite with her family via Tijuana.

Part 2 will explore her path into the United States, the herculean effort to do it the legal way, and how, despite all her efforts, the system ultimately failed her.

You won't want to miss this incredible story of perseverance.

Sources:

Reports on Child Trafficking

https://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias-america-latina-47700771

https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ILAB/child_labor_reports/tda2017/Venezuela.pdf

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_trafficking_in_Venezuela

Reports on crackdown on opposition:

https://www.hrw.org/report/2017/11/29/crackdown-dissent/brutality-torture-and-political-persecution-

venezuela

https://www.ohchr.org/en/stories/2017/08/report-protestors-venezuela-subjected-human-rights-violations-and-abuses

https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2024/11/venezuela-tortura-abusos-contra-ninos-ninas/

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Text or call the "Port of Entry" team at 619-500-3197 anytime with questions or comments about the show or email us at [email protected].

Credits

Hosts: Alan Lilienthal and Natalie González

Writer/Producer: Natalie González

Technical Producer/Sound Designer: Adrian Villalobos

Editor: Elma González Lima Brandão

Episodes translated by: Natalie González and Julio C. Ortíz Franco

Director of Audio Programming and Operations: Lisa Morrisette-Zapp

This program is made possible, in part, by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people

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