Betzy Valdez, @bempowereddreamer on Immigration MIC!

Explicit content warning

07/14/19 • 48 min

Welcome Betzy Valdez of @bempowereddreamer to Episode 92 of the @immigrationmicpodcast!

Betzy is a DACA recipient from Central Mexico whose family immigrated to Colorado for a better life for their family; her sister was born with bilateral microtia and needed specialized care.

Growing up, Betzy hid her good grades and intelligence to fit in, and similarly, she was uncomfortable with immigration conversations because she felt it would bring up her immigration status.

9/11 marked an important moment for her; she felt it became a hopeless situation to find relief for her immigration status or to obtain residency.

She talks about her life transitions: getting married at 19, having her first child at 20, and how her three daughters motivate her to push forward.

Betzy describes her inner struggles being undocumented in high school, and how after DACA in 2012, she was able to go back to school, and is working towards her associates degree; her way of going after the American Dream.

We talk about the 2016 election, and how Betzy was crushed by DACA being ended in 2017 - and how she fought against the negativity during that time, and didn’t let it defeat her.

She tells the story of when she unexpectedly first told her story at a networking event, and the fateful moment that she knew she was destined to tell her story to empower herself and others.

Betzy is using the page @bempowereddreamer as a way to express herself and share her story widely, and talks about how the challenges at the federal level has brought something else out of her to fight for change.

BONUS: From @latinosoutloud: Radio/TV On Air Personality, Club Host+Blogger+ @Spotify Global Content Programming @ajelkallejero tells an important anecdote of his family’s immigration story and how his mom is giving back to the undocumented community!

BONUS: At the beginning of the episode, find out how you can support immigration activist and content creator Stephanie Ramirez’s “Families Belong Together” campaign — all sales from the t-shirt will go to @raicestexas & @borderangelsofficial: two nonprofit groups leading in the fight against the inhumane treatment of migrants.

bonfire.com/dontlookaway/

Welcome Betzy Valdez of @bempowereddreamer to Episode 92 of the @immigrationmicpodcast!

Betzy is a DACA recipient from Central Mexico whose family immigrated to Colorado for a better life for their family; her sister was born with bilateral microtia and needed specialized care.

Growing up, Betzy hid her good grades and intelligence to fit in, and similarly, she was uncomfortable with immigration conversations because she felt it would bring up her immigration status.

9/11 marked an important moment for her; she felt it became a hopeless situation to find relief for her immigration status or to obtain residency.

She talks about her life transitions: getting married at 19, having her first child at 20, and how her three daughters motivate her to push forward.

We talk about the 2016 election, and how Betzy was crushed by DACA being ended in 2017 - and how she fought against the negativity during that time, and didn’t let it defeat her.

She tells the story of when she unexpectedly first told her story at a networking event, and the fateful moment that she knew she was destined to tell her story to empower herself and others.

bonfire.com/dontlookaway/

Previous Episode

Hoboken's Ron Bautista on Immigration MIC!

Welcome Ron Bautista (@ronbautistanj) candidate for #Hoboken’s 3rd Ward City Council to the @immigrationmicpodcast! In this interview we talk about: Born in Guayaquil, Ecuador, Ron talks about his background and the political/ economic reasons why his family decided to immigrate with a tourist visa and settled temporarily in Hoboken. Ron’s family overstayed their visa: he talks about the complex legal situation his family found themselves in, and the way he was able to be petitioned for, which eventually led to him qualifying for a green card. He talks about the time period he was undocumented, and tells the story of a social studies teacher he confided in about his status and the US Citizenship pop quiz that gave him support -- and how he messaged her right after he became a citizen. Ron talks about always having a passion for community service and politics, the reason he pursued an associates degree in accounting, and the hard work he and his mom put in cleaning houses to pay for his tuition for his bachelor's degree. Making the decision to run for mayor of Hoboken at 28, and although he did not win, how he appreciates the impact he felt his candidacy had, and how the person that became mayor instituted a “welcoming resolution” that discouraged local police from cooperating with ICE. The 2016 Election and the importance of “building the movement from the ground up”, and how he is happy that there are so many candidates vying for the Democrat presidential nomination. Finally, he talks about various issues he works on consistently in Hoboken, and how he views the future of the city from his point of view -- “those make a difference -- that’s social justice right there” (and he will also give you a tour of the city if you're interested!)