Voices In America

Meet Catherine Wager, Deacon at Episcopal Diasis in Los Angeles. She opens her heart and her home to immigrants seeking asylum in the United States. Although Catherine has had guests in her home for up to 3 years at a time, she and her husband Bruce see the deed as nothing special. If you as Catherine why do this, she states "we do this because we can".

Long before there was 49er quarterback Colin Kaepernik, San Francisco was home to another protestor, Harry Bridges; Australian immigrant, American citizen, union leader, protestor. The U.S. government’s efforts to throw Bridges out of the country is the story of loyal American dissent and the the price the protestor pays for exercising “free” speech.

Too often, the fact that there are millions of refugees in the world becomes a deadening statistic. In this episode, the story of one refugee offers an insight into the horrors these refugees escape, and the challenges the face if they’re fortunate enough to come to America.

Refugees seeking asylum often have one thing in common, being victims of torture. State sanctioned terrorism on an individual level. Physician Cynthia Willard shares her experiences working with and supporting victims of torture.

They are the youngest asylum seekers. Victims of rape, abuse, deprivation, they are expected to represent themselves in the complex world of Immigration Court. Attorney Judy London of Public Counsel tells the story of a life spent her trying to help the neediest and most vulnerable.

Actor and activist Wilmer Valderrama tells his immigrant story, what it means to him to live in America, how division rather than diversity is the biggest threat to our democracy, and why you— yeah, YOU -- need to get up and stand for your rights.

Most Americans will never see the inside of an immigration court, which is too bad, because if they did, maybe they would demand due process, fairness, and the resources to ensure both sides have a shot at getting something close to justice. Attorney Peter A. shares his first-hand experience with the surreal world of America's worst court system.

Jay was was one of the Middle East’s most popular television and film stars; think the Russell Crowe of the region. He was rich, famous, and popular. Then he criticized the Assad regime. Forced to flee Syria with almost nothing but a Hollywood dream, he and his wife Fadia are starting over in America.

Born in the USA on the Mexican border, Cristela overcame poverty, homelessness, and racism to become a star, with her own network television show and thriving stand-up comedy career. So why does she sometimes feel like an immigrant in her own country?

When a highly respected Congolese physician comes to the aid of protesters beaten and killed by government officials, he is arrested and tortured. Forced to flee for his life. he arrives in America with dreams of reuniting his family and practicing medicine. But not all dreams come true. Dr. Didier adds his story of horror and heroism to the Voices in America podcast.

Fadia uses art to convey her and other Syrian women's experiences as activists, victims, and refugees. From the hope of the "Arab Spring" to the tragedy of civil war, she discusses her obligation as an artist, a woman, and "a citizen of the world."

You may already know about people like Javier. In 2003, the Los Angeles Times won the Pulitzer Prize for reporting on children like him, the ones from Central America who risked their lives riding “The Train of Death” to get to the United States. Clinging to fast-moving freight cars, dodging immigration officials, like Javier, they came alone, without parents, money, or the English language. Like all good stories, this one has a happy ending.