Immigration Ain't Easy

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Zayed (aka "theZlawyer") learned about the complexities in our immigration system as a child when he helped his father attempt to naturalize and become a U.S. citizen. As an adult, that dream was finally realized by his father with Zayed as his lawyer. Zayed is now a lawyer based in Phoenix and part of his law practice focuses on immigration matters. As a Palestinian, he provides a personal perspective on the ongoing Israel-Hamas war and the emotional and human toll it has taken on himself and his family. Zayed has lost innocent family members who were killed in the conflict. Zayed maintains a semblance of sanity through all this by his sense of humor and fun personality which is exemplified by his numerous TikToks that educate the public on legal issues (he has over 300,000 followers).

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Jenn Budd went from high-ranking Border Patrol Agent to immigrant rights activist. Her odyssey didn’t come without life-altering experiences including the survival of horrific hazing, sexual harassment and a sexual assault while serving in the Border Patrol. This episode delves into Jenn’s survival from mental health struggles that stemmed primarily from her several years in the Border Patrol. Jenn has courageously blown the whistle on the pervasive abuses by the Border Patrol. She details this in her memoir, “Against the Wall”. Her outspokenness has received high praise from many in the human rights community and beyond.

In Jenn’s words: “I was a Senior Patrol Agent with the US Border Patrol in San Diego, a Senior Intelligence Agent at San Diego Sector Headquarters and an Acting Supervisory Border Patrol Agent from 1995 to 2001 when I resigned in protest due to the rampant corruption and brutality I witnessed on a daily basis. After nearly 30 years of border experience on both sides of the issues, I have come to the realization that our immigration policies have created an intentional brutal obstacle of death for asylum seekers. Though I used to wear the green uniform in pride, I have come to realize that the US is violating human rights and committing human atrocities with their immigration systems. This includes detaining non-criminal immigrants, intentionally limiting legal pathways to immigration that then force people to cross in the most dangerous of terrain, deterrence policies that do not deter but intentionally kill migrants, deadly pursuits that kill innocent Americans as well as migrants, inhumane open air detention sites, and child separation. My goal is to expose the truth about our brutal immigration policies and the criminality of the US Border Patrol.”

If you want to purchase Jenn’s book: https://heliotropebooks.com/books/against-the-wall-my-journey-from-border-patrol-agent-to-immigration-rights-activist/

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode covers subject-matter that may be triggering to some. It involves discussion of sexual assault, hazing, suicide and mental health struggles.

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Andrew Fels and Natalie Cadwalader-Schultheis are human rights attorneys who bring a voice to the voiceless. Through litigation and research they are exposing the U.S. government's violations of international law and unlawful use of inhumane policies that force migrants into situations where they disappear and/or die.
Natalie and Andrew join me to discuss how this occurs under the current enforcement construct and how the U.S. Border Patrol and ICE are complicit in these acts. In one study conducted by Natalie and Diego F. Leal they collected and analyzed data from 117 respondents and found that 73 percent who were in BP custody experienced an enforced disappearance as they were unable to make phone calls and were offered no reliable publicly accessible locator system to be located by. Both lawyers are exposing these human rights violations and, in turn, hope to push for more transparency by the U.S. government. Their efforts could save lives and prevent these agencies from functioning as a secret police.

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Cynthia Magallanes is a survivor. Plain and simple. She was brought into the U.S. as a four-year-old. Cynthia went from being an undocumented child to gaining DACA status and then her green card and, ultimately, U.S. citizenship. She became a naturalized citizen on June 14, 2024. Cynthia uses her own experience with childhood sexual abuse to help empower other women and children who have been sexually abused, exploited or trafficked. She has dedicated her life's work to helping victims heal.
In April, 2022, she published The Princess Who Forgot Her Name, a children's book to help children heal after trauma. Cynthia's story is inspiring and demonstrates what one can do when given the opportunity, such as DACA, and a platform in the United States.

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Simba Rusita grew up in Burundi and survived numerous coup d'états. After receiving a his bachelor degree from The University of London South Bank University, he went back to Burundi to try and help to economically develop his native land. However, after the last coup attempt, he finally fled for his life and came to the United States for refuge. He is separated from his family while awaiting his asylum interview (already waiting over a year and it is uncertain when the interview will come).
Simba has over 20 years of experience working with Businesses and NGO’s in five different countries on three different continents. He is currently on the Board of Directors for the Iskashitaa Refugee Network. Iskashitaa creates opportunities to integrate United Nations refugees into the Southern Arizona community while educating the public, strengthening the local food system, reducing local food waste, and increasing food security.
For more information about Iskashitaa or if you want to make contribution go here: https://www.iskashitaa.org/about-us