The State of Immigration: Policy, Raids, and Real Lives

Immigration in the U.S. is more than headlines and border walls — it’s a complex system that touches millions of lives, often in invisible ways. In this episode of We Vote Too, we break down what’s going on: from visa categories and green card backlogs to DACA, asylum, and undocumented status.

We explain how these systems work (and don’t), what’s changed under recent federal crackdowns, and why immigration raids — like the ones unfolding in cities like Los Angeles — are just the tip of a much deeper policy iceberg.

Our guest, human rights and immigration attorney Yannick Gil, helps us understand how enforcement priorities have shifted, the impact on communities, and what legal protections remain in place.

Most importantly, we explore how these policies affect all of us — not just immigrants — and share tangible ways you can support families, combat misinformation, and advocate for meaningful reform.

Whether you’re brand new to this issue or deep in the work, this is your immigration explainer, action guide, and human story — all in one.

⏱️ Episode Timestamps

00:00 – Legal disclosure (gotta keep it official)
00:33 – Intro music (get in the vibe)
00:48 – Trump's War on Immigration
04:31 – Interview begins with Yannick Gil: The State of Immigration
05:55 – What’s the difference between a refugee, an asylum seeker, someone protected by DACA, and someone here on a visa?
11:30 – The benefits of a robust immigrant population
14:30 – What does come here "the right way" mean? Pathways to citizenship
19:55 – What is due process? How this impacts us all
24:27 – What is ICE allowed to do?
30:14 – The Immigration and Nationality Act: A tool for surveillance?
33:31 – What does it mean to be stateless?
38:02 – What it's like in an ICE detention center
41:56 – How should we protest? Can the courts stop what’s happening?
49:29 – What keeps you hopeful?
53:22 – Resources for the public
55:01 – Keep standing up and protesting
56:47 – Outro