Only in America with Ali Noorani show

Only in America with Ali Noorani

Summary: What really drives the immigration debate? It’s people, not politics. Join us for “Only in America” podcast, to hear how Americans from all walks of life and from across the political spectrum are experiencing changes in their communities as a result of immigration. Faith leaders, law enforcement officials, business owners and others speak openly about the way culture, identity and values are shaping and defining our country, and they offer a constructive way forward in the immigration debate.

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  • Artist: Ali Noorani
  • Copyright: National Immigration Forum all rights reserved

Podcasts:

 Keeping Us Healthy: Kathy Ko Chin and Rosalie Villanueva | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 34:01

As we celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, we hear about the unique healthcare challenges these communities face – and the incredible contributions they’re making amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Ali talks to Kathy Ko Chin, president and CEO of the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum, about the role of Asian American and Pacific Islander health workers in the pandemic response. Later, he talks to a registered nurse working in Galveston, Texas, originally from the Philippines.

 Mother's Day Special: Najma Noorani (Part Two) | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 23:25

For this week’s episode, Ali sits down with his mom, Najma, who tells him about her early days as a newcomer to the U.S. and opening a physical therapy practice — and how to properly cut a mango. The pair discuss Najma’s journey to the U.S., the difficulties of building a life in a new country and living thousands of miles away from family, and the neighbors who became like family.

 Mother's Day Special: Najma Noorani (Part One) | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 20:28

For this week’s episode, Ali sits down with his mom, Najma, who tells him about her early days as a newcomer to the U.S. and opening a physical therapy practice — and how to properly cut a mango. The pair discuss Najma’s journey to the U.S., the difficulties of building a life in a new country and living thousands of miles away from family, and the neighbors who became like family.

 Keeping Us Healthy: Dr. Amit Vashist | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 28:44

Even before COVID-19, our nation was facing a shortage of health care workers, one that is projected to grow. This week, we see how immigrants in rural areas are stepping up to meet this critical need. Ali talks to Dr. Amit Vashist, Senior Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer at Ballad Health. Dr. Vashist talks about the challenges of ensuring health care access in rural areas – and why removing immigration barriers is a critical part of the solution.

 Trailer: Keeping Us Healthy | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 03:23

Immigrants are essential to Americans' health, representing a major part of our healthcare industry workforce in both medical and nonmedical professions. We’ve seen how their work has been essential for our aging and growing nation, and we will only continue to need their contributions even more as our nation faces the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Only In America” will speak to the health care professionals facing these challenges firsthand to hear from them how we can keep our communities he

 SPECIAL EPISODE: A Closer Look at Trump’s Immigration Proclamation | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 14:35

For this week’s episode, Ali talks to the Forum’s VP of Policy and Advocacy, Jacinta Ma, about the proclamation President Trump issued on Wednesday suspending some forms of immigration for at least 60 days. They discuss what this policy means for immigrants and Americans — and the kinds of solutions we should be pursuing instead.

 Growing a Better System: Soren Bjorn | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 28:01

We finish our latest series by continuing to examine how America needs a modernized visa process for the agriculture industry, this time through the perspective of a larger growing operation. Ali talks to Soren Bjorn, president of Driscoll’s of the Americas. An immigrant and a recently naturalized U.S. citizen, Soren talks about the essential work of immigrant farmworkers during the coronavirus pandemic and the importance of food security.

 Growing a Better System: Teresa Romero | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 26:08

Farm work is essential — workers spend their days in the fields ensuring there’s no disruption to our food supply and that there’s food on our tables. Yet our immigration policies lack adequate pathways to legally fill these jobs.  Ali talks to Teresa Romero, President of United Farm Workers, the largest farm workers’ union in the U.S. She talks about bridging the gap between consumers and fieldworkers, how COVID-19 is impacting workers, and finding solutions for growers and fieldworkers alike.

 Growing a Better System: Fred Strathmeyer Jr. | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 26:01

In the second episode of our series focused on the agriculture industry, we hear about the challenges that U.S. farms face due to a lack of workers. Ali talks to Fred Strathmeyer Jr., the Pennsylvania Deputy Secretary for Plant Industry and Consumer Protection. Fred talks about his department’s commitment to a sustainable and safe food supply and its connection to immigration.

 Growing a Better System: Judy Fisk Lucas | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 28:00

In the first episode of our series focused on the agriculture industry, we hear about the often-invisible challenges that fieldworkers face. Ali talks to Judy Fisk Lucas, the founder and president of Friends of Fieldworkers, a non-profit providing support to immigrant fieldworkers in the major agricultural region of Ventura County, California. Judy and her husband Ted talk about working with farmworkers and the needs they and their families have.

 Trailer: Growing a Better System | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 03:53

U.S. farms feed millions of Americans, and they need roughly 2 million employees per year to do so. But we’re not meeting that need, and we’re seeing crops going unpicked and dying in fields. Our farms don’t have enough workers — and there aren’t adequate immigration pathways to allow more workers to do those jobs. Throughout this series, we’ll hear about the experiences of growers, farmworkers and more about the challenges they face — and ways to create the stability and opportunities they

 The Myth of the Immigrant Burden: Ai-jen Poo | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 29:00

We finish our series by discussing immigrant contributions to less visible industries, which are highly important but often the least valued. Domestic work — including caretaking, housekeeping and nannying — will continue to be key as our nation ages. It’s long been undervalued, and workers are even more at risk if their immigration status is uncertain. Ali talks to Ai-jen Poo, executive director of the National Domestic Workers Alliance, about recognizing the importance and dignity of domestic wor

 The Myth of the Immigrant Burden: Alejandro Flores-Muñoz | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 23:16

Alejandro Flores-Muñoz is an entrepreneur and DACA recipient based in Denver. He started three businesses: Unum Sunglasses, Progressive Button, and, most recently, Stokes Poke. In addition to running his own businesses, he mentors, educates and empowers other DACA recipient and marginalized business owners. Alejandro talks to Ali about the companies he runs and how he’s helping other DACA recipients and marginalized business owners start and grow their own businesses.

 The Myth of the Immigrant Burden: Nafy Flatley | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 29:38

This week, Ali speaks to Nafy Flatley, a Senegal-born chef and entrepreneur who founded the food and beverage company Teranga. In a conversation at San Francisco’s La Cocina, Ali spoke to Nafy about her journey to the U.S., the challenges of starting a business,  and how her idea of the American Dream has evolved. La Cocina is a test kitchen that supports immigrant and women food entrepreneurs formalize and grow their business. This year, La Cocina plans to open the nation’s first women-led food

 The Myth of the Immigrant Burden: Raman Dhillon | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 22:52

We begin our series, “The Myth of the Immigrant Burden,” by learning about the contributions of immigrants in the trucking industry through the lens of the growth of California's Punjabi trucking community. Ali talks with Raman Dhillon, head of the North American Punjabi Trucking Association about how the trucking industry is changing and how Punjabi immigrants are stemming its labor shortage.

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