Twice a week, Souleymane Diallo broadcasts his own evening talk radio show from his Brooklyn apartment. He has no studio, no recording equipment and no transmitter. But Diallo has a telephone line, a computer and the desire to inform. He is one of hundreds of West African immigrants in the U.S. who use free conference-call services to host free radio shows that can be dialed into from anywhere in the country. Listen to the story.
When Arizona passed the harsh anti-illegal immigration law SB 1070 in 2010, the national uproar led some members of the GOP to champion the state, while many Democrats called for an economic boycott. Two years later, Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum and the rest of the Republican candidates vying for the Presidential nomination will face off Tuesday in a rattled Arizona. Valeria Fernandez gave insight into how Arizona’s Latino voters are eyeing the GOP candidates. Listen to the story.
Growing numbers of Greeks are leaving their homeland. Many are landing in America, but for some, that landing is hard. Mikhael Klouvas works the night shift at a Greek-owned diner in the Bronx. At age 65, Klouvas never thought he’d be doing this kind of work. Listen to the story.
In this podcast, Fi2W executive producer John Rudolph interviews Sing Tao Daily reporter Stella Chan about her recent article for Fi2W concerning the conversations taking place about Comptroller Liu among Asian Americans. We also hear fromKorea Daily Senior Reporter Danny Shin. Listen to the story.
With Greece’s economy reeling and its unemployment rate about 18 percent, some Greeks are trying their luck in the U.S. — especially true in the stronghold of Astoria, Queens, where Greek stores, restaurants and travel agencies dot Ditmars Boulevard and 31st Street. Listen to the story.
Five years after they lost their father on American Airlines Flight 587, Patrisel and Josmel LaFontaine faced another crisis. The teenagers’ mother had died after a botched plastic surgery in Santo Domingo, leaving them at the mercy of their mother’s family, which immediately stepped in. But not everyone was there to help — some relatives were after the Flight 587 compensation money.Listen to the story.
NEW YORK—At around 11:45 p.m., on September 11th, 2001, the streets of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, were nearly empty as most residents were transfixed by TV screens, trying to comprehend the magnitude of the terror attacks that had shaken the city earlier that day
There was also a homicide in New York City recorded on September 11, 2001. And it remains unsolved. Listen to the story.
Feet in Two Worlds Reporter Jelena Kopanja produced this story for PRI's The World about the Viennese group "Wiener Tschuschenkapelle." It is a band that is fighting some common stereotypes that migrants from the former Yugoslavia face in the Austrian capital.
Listen to the story which aired August 24 on PRI's The World.
Photo: Wiener Tschuschenkapelle's MySpace page
Sometimes Feet in Two Worlds journalists take a break from covering struggles over immigration laws and the challenges facing immigrant communities and turn their attention to more lighthearted topics— like dancing. This podcastfeatures two stories about dance from our radio archives.
Photo: Tibchris/flickr
Sharif El-Gamal is determined to build a mosque near Ground Zero. Despite the worldwide controversy that erupted last year over Mr. El-Gamal's plan to develop a mosque and Muslim cultural center near the World Trade Center site, he is spearheading a new effort to make the proposal a reality.
Photo: Mohsin Zaheer
Adrielle Grant recalls the day his mother kicked him out. That's when she told me "you can't live in this house, cuz I don't want no gays in this house." Then she said she would kiss her mother's grave if she if she knew I was gonna be gay.
The podcast features Adrielle, a 20-year-old immigrant from Guyana. For the past year he's been living on the street and in temporary housing. We spoke in his bedroom at Green Chimneys, a program that provides housing and services for homeless youth.
Photo: Maria Watts
As a guest on the Michael Eric Dyson Show, Fi2W's Erwin De Leon talked about the historic passage of same-sex marriage legislation in New York andwhat it means for gay immigrants. Until the federal definition of marriage is changed (DOMA is officially removed from the books), bi-national gay marriages will not receive the same rights as heterosexual marriages, despite any state legislation.
Photo: Zach Roberts/flickr
The Asian population in the five boroughs spiked 32 percent in the last decade, and New Yorkers of South Asian descent had a lot to do with it.
"It's kind of mysterious to me that we don't have a South Asian elected offical in New York. I find it puzzling because one could argue that all the factors are there," said Sayu Bhojwani, founding director of the New American Leaders Project, an organization that trains immigrants to run for elected office. Listen to Sarah Kramer explore the lack of South Asian eleced officials.
Photo: Sarah Kramer
SB1070 One Year Later: Valeria Fernández on Latino USA
It has been one year since Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signed SB1070, the widely publicized law that would have made it illegal to be an undocumented immigrant in the state.
Fi2W's Valeria Fernández produced a story for NPR's Latino USA where she reports that while many undocumented immigrants left Arizona because of the law, others stayed and became politically active.
Photo: Valeria Fernández
Immigrants Revive Pigeon Practice of Tending in New York: Ewa Kern-Jedrychowska on WNYC
Homing pigeons were once a common sight in the skies over many New York neighborhoods. Fi2W's Ewa Kern-Jedrychowska produced a radio story for WNYC about a handful of immigrants and native New Yorkers, who keep pigeon flocks today. Listen to Ewa's piece on the Fi2W news blog: With an Eye on the Sky, Immigrants Revive Practice of Pigeon Tending in New York.
Photo: Mohsin Zaheer
Fi2W's Annie Correal Wins Journalism Award for Coverage of Hispanic Workers Cleaning Up the Gulf Oil Spill
This year's first place Ippie Award for best audio went to Annie Correal for her radio story Hard, Dirty, Work: Latinos Clean Up The Gulf of Mexico. The Ippie Awards are conferred annually by the New York Community Media Alliance to honor the best journalism in New York City's ethnic and community media. Annie's story was broadcast on NPR's Latino USA, and was the result of a unique partnership organized by Feet in Two Worlds that included El Diario/La Prensa (where Annie is a staff reporter),Latino USA and PRI's The World.
Muslims and the Midterm Elections: Mohsin Zaheer on WNYC
The proposed Park51 mosque and Islamic cultural center in Lower Manhattan sparked new interest in politics by Muslim New Yorkers, just in time for this year's midterm elections. Voters in New York's 13th Congressional District, which includes the proposed space for Park51, were forced to chose between two candidates who are against the project.
Listen to Fi2W reporter Mohsin Zaheer discuss Muslims and the midtern elections in a two-part series that aired on WNYC: Park51 Controversy Leads to Political Engagement by Muslim New Yorkers and Muslim Voters Face Difficult Choice in Tuesday's Election.
Photo: Mohsin Zaheer
Immigrant Advocates ask Paterson to Rescind Secure Communities: Catalina Jaramillo on WNYC
Last May, New York quietly signed on to an immigration enforcement program that allows local police to share the digital fingerprints of anyone arrested in the state with federal authorities. The program—called Secure Communities—is designed to find and deport undocumented immigrants who have committed serious crimes like murder, kidnapping, and threats to national security. Immigrant advocates believe the program could lead to racial profiling and may make immigrants less likely to seek police assistance in an emergency. They are calling on Gov. Paterson to withdraw New York from the program.
Fi2W reporter Catalina Jaramillo was on WNYC Radio on October 19 to discuss the issue; listen to the interview on the Fi2W news blog. Catalina and Fi2W's Monika Fabian also collaborated on a story about Secure Communities for the Fi2W news blog's New York Votes project: "Immigrant Advocates to Paterson: Rescind Secure Communities."
Photo: foreverdigital/FlickrCC
What it Means to Cover the Polish Immigrant Community: Ewa Kern-Jedrychowska on WNPR, Connecticut Public Radio
Where We Live, a daily news and talk show on Connecticut's WNPR, took on the subject of modern-day Poland this week. Fi2W's Ewa Kern-Jedrychowska, a reporter for Nowy Dziennik/Polish Daily News joined the conversation to speak about how and what she reports on in the Polish community in New York. Listen on the Fi2W news blog.
Photo: Roman G./FlickrCC
Anti-Immigrant Party Wins Over Some Immigrants: Jelena Kopanja on The World
In the campaign leading up to this weekend's municipal elections, all the major parties were trying to court immigrants, who account for one third of the Austrian capital's population. Even the far-right Freedom Party (FPOE)—with its predominantly anti-immigrant platform—was able to attract some of these voters.
Fi2W's Jelena Kopnaja reported on immigrant supporters of the Freedom Party for PRI's The World. You can listen here.
Photo: Jelena Kopanja
Immigration may be Key Issue in New York Gov Race: Catalina Jaramillo on WNYC
In the race to become New York’s next governor, Republican Carl Paladino is calling his Democratic rival Andrew Cuomo part of Albany’s dysfunction, and Cuomo is framing Paladino as a one-dimensional candidate running on anger alone. But behind the bickering looms an issue that has the potential to define this year’s race—immigration.
Fi2W contributor and El Diario/La Prensa reporter Catalina Jaramillo spoke with WNYC Radio’s Bob Hennelly about the potentially combustible mix of immigration and politics. Listen on the Fi2W news blog.
Photo: Azi Paybarah/WNYC
Justice Department Sues Country's "Toughest Sheriff" Joe Arpaio: Valeria Fernández on The Takeaway
For 17 months, the federal government has been requesting that Sheriff Joe Arpaio hand over his records for a civil-rights investigation into racial profiling in Arizona. On September 2, it finally sued to gain access to those documents. The Justice Department is investigating whether Arpaio is using unconstitutional searches and seizures, jail policies and racial profiling in his self-proclaimed crusade against undocumented immigrants.
Fi2W reporter Valeria Fernández was a guest on PRI's The Takeaway to discuss the situation. You can listen here.
Latinos Clean up the Gulf of Mexico: Annie Correal on NPR's Latino USA
Victor Carrías, 22, is what you might call a disaster migrant. Born in Guatemala, he migrated to the U.S. at 18, and soon after, found work cleaning up oil. He's now supervising a twenty person clean up crew, working to isolate and remove patches of oil left on the Louisiana coast after the BP oil spill. This is the fourth oil spill Victor has worked on, and, though the work is dangerous, he feels fortunate to have the job.
Reporting from Port Fourchon, LA, FI2W contributor Annie Correal produced the radio piece "Hard, Dirty, Work: Latinos Clean Up the Gulf of Mexico" about Victor and other Latino immigrants who relocated to the gulf coast in search of clean up work after the BP oil spill. The story aired on NPR's Latino USA. Listen on the Fi2W news blog.
Annie spent two weeks this summer in Louisiana, covering the impact of the oil spill for El Diario/La Prensa. She gathered testimonies from oil spill migrants, women, and fishermen-turned-clean-up workers, all of them Latino immigrants. The culmination of her work, "Trabajo Sucio," or "Dirty Work," can be found on El Diario/La Prensa's website.
Photo: Annie Correal
A Mexican Immigrant Wears Detroit's Golden Gloves: Martina Guzmán on WDET, Detroit Public Radio
A gym in Southwestern Detroit has cultivated a star: 18-year-old Erick De Leon. But as a non-citizen, De Leon's opportunities are limited.
Feet in Two Worlds contributor Martina Guzmán produced a story about De Leon, who wants to compete for the U.S. in the 2012 Olympics, for FI2W's public radio partner WDET. Listen to the story and read Martina's blog post on De Leon on the FI2W news blog.
Federal Judge Puts SB 1070 on Hold: Valeria Fernández onThe World
Less than 24 hours before the controversial new law making it a state crime to be an undocumented immigrant in Arizona was scheduled to go into effect, U.S. District Judge Susan R. Bolton largely granted the U.S. government’s request for an injunction, and blocked the harshest provisions of the law.
Valeria Fernández was a guest on PRI's The World to discuss Arizonan's reactions to the injuction. You can listen here.
Photo: waynewhuang/FlickrCC
Listening to Both Sides in Arizona's Immigration Debate: Valeria Fernández on Latino USA
Reporting from Phoenix, FI2W's Valeria Fernández cuts through the rhetoric to find common ground between opponents and supporters of Arizona's new immigration law, SB 1070. ,Valeria interviewed two people in Arizona — Irene and Gerardo — who see the new immigration law from very different perspectives for NPR's Latino USA.
Listen to the radio piece and read Valeria's blog post on producing the story on the Feet in Two Worlds news blog.
Photo: Valeria Fernández
Belly Dancers in Detroit: Martina Guzmán on Studio 360
There's no shortage of work for belly dancers in Detroit. The city has one of the largest Arab populations outside of the Middle East and a vast network of belly dancers. But some in the Arab-American community feel conflicted about their young women performing publicly.
Feet in Two Worlds contributor Martina Guzmán reported on Detroit's belly dancing scene for PRI and WNYC's Studio 360. The program aired on July 16th, and you can listen here.
Photo: tanakawho/FlickrCC
Obama Speaks on Immigration Reform: Valeria Fernández on The Takeaway
Citizens and non-citizens across the nation were holding their breath in anticipation of President Obama’s speech on the iron-hot subject of immigration.
Feet in Two Worlds reporter Valeria Fernándezwas a guest on PRI’s The Takeaway hours before Obama took the stage. You can listen to Valeria speak about the immigrant community’s expectations for Obama and immigration reform on the Feet in Two Worlds news blog.
Official White House Photo by Pete Souza
One Composer, Many Emotions Among Polish Immigrants: Ewa Kern-Jedrychowska on WNYC
This year, fans of classical music are celebrating the 200th anniversary of Frédéric Chopin’s birth. Ewa Kern-Jedrychowska visited the Polish and Slavic Center in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, where Polish immigrants gathered to honor their greatest composer. She produced a radio piece on the bicentenary celebrations for WNYC.
You can listen to the story on the Feet in Two Worlds news blog or the WNYC website.
Image: Eugéne Delacroix
The Life of Hispanic Immigrant Cleanup Workers in the Gulf: Annie Correal on The World
Elena de la Cruz and her husband came to New Orleans four years ago, after Hurricane Katrina, because they heard there were jobs. Now Elena has been hired to help clean up the BP oil spill. The work is dirty, the pay is good, and Hispanic workers are being accused by some of taking jobs from long-time Gulf residents.
Listen to Elena's story on PRI's The World, reported from Hopedale, LA, by FI2W reporter Annie Correal.
Photo: Annie Correal
Livelihood and Way-of-Life Fade for Immigrant Fishermen in the Gulf: Annie Correal on Latino USA
Since the oil spill and its economic aftermath—the moratorium on fishing along the Gulf Coast—life has changed drastically for Latino fishermen. Some sit on their boats all day waiting to be called for clean-up work, while others have had to pick up and leave in search of work. The few who have been hired on locals' boats to lay barriers along the marshy coast say they fear Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will meet them at the port.
FI2W reporter Annie Correal produced a story for NPR's Latino USA about Central American Fisherman in the St. Bernard Parish. You can listen on the FI2W news blog.
Photo: Annie Correal
Voices From Demonstration Against Arizona's New Immigration Law: Valeria Fernández on Latino USA
FI2W contributor Valeria Fernández has been covering the controversy surrounding Arizona'snew law that makes it a state crime to be an undocumented immigrant.
Valeria produced a feature for NPR's Latino USAabout a huge march on May 29 in Phoenix to protest the law, SB 1070. You can listen to the segment on the FI2W news blog.
Photo: Josè Muñoz
FI2W Special Report: Amid Oil Spill Crisis, U.S. Authorities Search for Undocumented Cleanup Workers
Shortly after the nation's largest oil spill started fouling the Gulf of Mexico and coastal Louisiana, U.S. authorities began checking the immigration status of Hispanic workers hired to help with the clean up effort.
In an exclusive story released by Feet in Two Worlds and El Diario/La Prensa, a spokesman for Immigration and Customs Enforcement confirmed that agents had visited two large command centers outside New Orleans to verify that the workers there were legal residents.
Read the full story from FI2W contributor Annie Correal, reporting from the Gulf of Mexico: "Amid Oil Spill Crisis, U.S. Authorities Search for Undocumented Immigrant Cleanup Workers" on the FI2W news blog.
Annie also spoke about Latinos working to clean up BP's spill with Maria Hinojosa on NPR's Latino USA.
Photo: Annie Correal
Census Focuses on Russian Immigrants: Ewa Kern-Jedrychowska on The World
Census workers have started knocking on doors, in an effort to visit the 48 million households across the country that haven’t mailed back their forms. One neighborhood they’ll focus on is Brighton Beach in Brooklyn, New York. The neighborhood is nicknamed “Little Odessa” for its large Russian community.
As Feet in Two Worlds' Ewa Kern-Jedrychowska reports for PRI's The World, language barriers and a mistrust of government—nurtured during the Soviet era—are keeping many immigrants in Brighton Beach from participating in the census.
You can listen to Ewa's story on the FI2W news blog or The World's website.
Photo: Ewa Kern-Jedrychowska
The Feet in Two Worlds project on the Census is made possible thanks to the generous support of the 2010 Census Outreach Initiative Fundat The New York Community Trust and the Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund.
SB 1070 Gets Legal Challenge: Valeria Fernández on The Takeaway
In Arizona, tension is mounting over a strict new immigration law that will criminalize undocumented immigrants.
Feet in Two Worlds reporter Valeria Fernández spoke about opposition to bill, both in the form of protests and legal action, on PRI's The Takeaway.
You can listen to the story on the Feet in Two Worlds news blog.
Image:Andrew Huff/Flickr
Arizona's 'Safe Neighborhoods' Bill Signed into Law: Valeria Fernández on The Takeaway
Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signed SB 1070, the "Safe Neighborhoods" bill, into law on April 23. The law requires immigrants in Arizona to carry proper identification at all times and sparked debate about immigration reform across the nation.
Feet in Two Worlds reporter Valeria Fernández spoke about protests the bill has already ignited in Arizona, particularly among students, on PRI's program The Takeaway. You can listen to the segment on the Feet in Two Worlds news blog or on The Takeaway's website.
You can also read Valeria's post about the legislation, "New Arizona Law Awakens Youth Protest Movement," on the Feet in Two Worlds news blog.
Photo: Josè Muñoz
Arizona Divided Over Immigration: Valeria Fernández onThe World
A proposed new state law in Arizona would allow local police to arrest anyone on "reasonable suspicion" until he can prove he is legally in the US. The hotly debated bill also targets day laborers and anyone who harbors or transports an undocumented immigrant, including family members.
PRI's program The World featured an interview with Feet in Two Worlds reporter Valeria Fernández about the controversial bill and recent ICE immigration raids targeting human smugglers in Arizona. You can listen to the story on the Feet in Two Worlds news blog or on The World's website.
You can also read Valeria's post about the legislation, "Intense Debate, Rising Fear as Arizona Immigration Enforcement Bill Heads to Final Vote," on the Feet in Two Worlds news blog.
Photo: Alicia Perrone
In Arizona, ICE Raids Target Human Smugglers: Valeria Fernández on The Takeaway
Amid heated debate over immigration reform in Arizona, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids cracked down on transporting undocumented immigrants. On Thursday, more than 800 law enforcement officials raided shuttle van companies who allegedly pick up undocumented immigrants at the U.S.-Mexico border and drive them to U.S. cities.
Feet In Two Worlds reporter Valeria Fernandez appeared on PRI's The Takeaway to discuss the raids and reactions from the local community in Arizona, where the raids were carried out. Listen to the segment on The Takeaway's website or on the Feet In Two Worlds news blog
Photo: ThreadedThoughts/Flickr
Ewa Kern-Jedrychowska Talks to WNYC's Brian Lehrer about the Polish Immigrant Community
Feet in Two Worlds Reporter Ewa Kern-Jedrychowska was a guest on WNYC’s The Brian Lehrer Show as part of the show's ongoing coverage of the 2010 Census. Ewa discussed the changing demographics of the Polish community in New York, immigration patterns, the effects of gentrification, and what will be revealed by the results of the 2010 Census.
Listen to the segment on WNYC's website or on the Feet in Two Worlds news blog.
The Feet in Two Worlds project on the Census is made possible thanks to the generous support of the 2010 Census Outreach Initiative Fundat The New York Community Trust and the Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund.
Queens Census Workers Find Reluctant Residents: Annie Correal on All Things Considered
In Corona, a Queens neighborhood, volunteers have been working for weeks to convince residents to fill out their 2010 Census forms. Despite the collaborative efforts of community groups, volunteers and government workers, many residents still don't want to be counted.
As part of Feet In Two Worlds' ongoing project bringing Census coverage by ethnic media journalists to the public radio audience, Annie Correal reported for NPR's All Things Considered on efforts to secure a more accurate 2010 Census count in Queens. Listen to the segment on NPR's website or on the Feet In Two Worlds news blog.
Annie Correal is a reporter with El Diario/La Prensa.
The Feet in Two Worlds project on the Census is made possible thanks to the generous support of the 2010 Census Outreach Initiative Fund at The New York Community Trust and the Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund.
Photo: 2010 US Census Bureau
No Count, No Funds: Annie Correal on The Brian Lehrer Show
Brooklyn was the hardest to count borough in NYC during the 2000 Census, with estimated response rates below 40 percent in some areas. One consequence of an undercount is a lack of federal funds for public services, causing a shortage of public facilities such as hospitals and transportation centers in heavily populated areas like Bushwick.
As part of Feet In Two Worlds' ongoing 2010 Census coverage, and in collaboration with El Diario/La Prensa, Annie Correal investigated why Bushwick was so hard to count 10 years ago and what has happened since. Annie discussed the undercount on the March 15 episode of The Brian Lehrer Show. You can listen to the segment on the The Brian Lehrer Show website or the Feet in Two Worlds news blog. You can also read Annie's story, "No Count, No Funds: Minorities in Bushwick Suffer the Consequences of a Census Undercount," in English or in Spanish.
Annie Correal is a reporter with El Diario/La Prensa. Alec Hamilton, from Milano The New School for Management and Urban Policy, contributed reporting.
The Feet in Two Worlds project on the Census is made possible thanks to the generous support of the 2010 Census Outreach Initiative Fund at The New York Community Trust and the Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund.
Photo: Alex Vros/El Diario La Prensa
Ten Questions That Count: Special Feet in Two Worlds edition of The Brian Lehrer Show
For this year's U.S. Census, all eyes are on New York. The city has historically had the lowest response rate of any major city in the nation. Why are New Yorkers reluctant to be counted? What's being done to reach hard-to-count immigrant populations? And what are the consequences of an undercount?
As part of Feet in Two Worlds' ongoing coverage of the 2010 Census, FI2W and WNYC explored the challenge of getting an accurate count of New York City's population with a special live broadcast of The Brian Lehrer Show. You can listen to the story on the The Brian Lehrer Show website.
The Feet in Two Worlds project on the Census is made possible thanks to the generous support of the 2010 Census Outreach Initiative Fund at the The New York Community Trust and the Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund.
Photo: Jocelyn Gonzalez
Counting the Undocumented: Annie Correal on Morning Edition
Since the last Census, in 2000, there's been a surge of new Hispanic immigrants in neighborhoods in Queens including Jackson Heights, Corona and Elmhurst. In the past, many in those communities have failed to send in their Census forms.
As part of a Feet in Two Worlds project bringing Census coverage by ethnic media reporters to the public radio audience, WNYC's Morning Editionfeatured a story by Annie Correal, a journalist with FI2W and El Diario/La Prensa, on efforts to convince undocumented immigrants in Queens to be counted by the Census. You can listen to the story on the Feet in Two Worlds news blog, or on WNYC's website.
Annie also wrote a blog post on producing the radio story, "Reporter's Notebook: The 2010 Census and the Challenge of Undocumented Immigrant Households," on the Feet in Two Worlds news blog.
Annie Correal is a reporter with El Diario/La Prensa. Alec Hamilton, from Milano The New School for Management and Urban Policy, contributed reporting.
The Feet in Two Worlds project on the Census is made possible thanks to the generous support of the 2010 Census Outreach Initiative Fund at The New York Community Trust and the Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund.
Photo: Annie Correal/El Diario La Prensa
Bushwick Foreclosures: Eva Sanchis on The Brian Lehrer Show
Since 2006, over 1,500 foreclosure processes have started in Bushwick, a predominately Hispanic neighborhood of about 130,000 people in Brooklyn. "Mortgage modification swindlers" still prey on many in danger of losing their homes in the neighborhood, while residents wonder if they'll get any relief from stimulus funds from the federal government.
In February, Feet in Two Worlds reporter Eva Sanchis appeared on WNYC's The Brian Lehrer Show to discuss the foreclosure epidemic in Bushwick. You can listen to the story on The Brian Lehrer Show website.
You can also read Eva's three-part series on the topic, published in El Diario/La Prensaand on the Feet in Two Worlds news blog.
This story was written under a fellowship grant from New America Media.
Photo: Eva Sanchis/El Diario La Prensa
Luring Ecuador's Immigrants Back Home: Jelena Kopanja onThe World
It’s estimated that 11 percent of Ecuador’s population lives outside the country. Many left to escape their country’s faltering economy. Now Ecuador wants them back, but not all migrants trust the government’s motives.
PRI’s nationally-syndicated daily program The World featured a piece produced by Feet in Two Worlds reporter Jelena Kopanja about how Ecuador tries to convince its expats to return home. You can listen to Jelena's piece, which aired December 30, on the Feet in Two Worlds site or by visiting PRI's website.
Fighting Fear with Information: Valeria Fernández on New America Now
In Arizona, undocumented immigrants are alarmed about a new law requiring state employees to be whistle blowers. Arizona law-makers recently passed HB 2008, requiring state employees to report undocumented residents who are applying for federal and state benefits to immigration authorities.
As Feet in Two Worlds reporter Valeria Fernández explains on New America Media's show New America Now, local authorities aren't clear which benefits and services fall under the new law. And many undocumented migrants fear they will face deportation for simply calling the police or taking their children—many of whom are US citizens—to the doctor. The story will be available starting December 18, click here to listen to the piece online from New America Media.
You can also read Valeria's post on the subject, "New Law Forcing State Employees to Report Undocumented Immigrants Causes Fear in Arizona," and listen to the story on the Feet in Two Worlds blog.
Immigrant Families Behind Bars: Valeria Fernández onMaking Contact
Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio's controversial immigration raids have turned Arizona into a battleground for national immigration issues. The US Department of Homeland Security recently stripped Arpaio's authority to arrest suspected undocumented immigrants, yet the Sheriff says he will continue the raids.
The public radio program Making Contact featured a story by Feet in Two Worlds reporter Valeria Fernández about the impact of an immigration raid on a family in Phoenix, Arizona. You can listen to the story on the Feet in Two Worlds blog, or, to find a radio station near you that carries the program, click here.
You can also read Valeria's post on producing the radio story, "Behind the Headlines About Sheriff Joe Arpaio's Immigration Sweeps," on the Feet in Two Worlds blog.
A Tale of Two Dairy Farms: Valeria Fernández on Latino USA
Over the past two decades, dairy farmers in Arizona have relied on immigrant labor to control costs. But as the state cracks down on undocumented immigrants, farmers and Latino workers face many uncertainties.
Feet in Two Worlds reporter Valeria Fernández and producer Rene Gutel tell the story of two dairy farms, where immigration is an extremely hot topic, for NPR's Latino USA, starting September 18, 2009. Click here to listen to the piece online.
You can also read Valeria's post on producing the story on the Feet in Two Worlds blog.
New Haven priest organizes for immigrant civil rights: Aswini Anburajan on Latino USA
Many U.S. churches have declared themselves sanctuaries for
immigrants; others have lobbied for immigration reform. In New Haven,
Connecticut — a town with a history of progressive policies towards the
undocumented — one priest is teaching parishioners how to stand up for
their civil rights.
Feet in Two Worlds' reporter Aswini Anburajan profiles Father James
Manship for a piece airing on public radio stations nationwide on
NPR's Latino USA starting August 28, 2009. Click here to listen to the piece online fromKUT public radio in Austin, Texas.
You can also read Aswini's post about producing the radio story on the Feet in Two Worlds blog.
Ewa Kern-Jedrychowska reports on a new museum in Warsaw, devised in part by New Yorkers, that aims to reconcile Poles and Jews
Construction has just started in Warsaw on theMuseum of the History of Polish Jews, which commemorates centuries of Jewish life and achievements in Poland. The project comes at a time when Poland is witnessing a more open dialogue on the complicated Polish-Jewish relationship.
Ewa Kern-Jedrychowska's story on the museum aired August 25, 2009 on PRI's The World. Click here to listen online.
Photo: Krzysztof Slomka
President Obama pushes immigration reform to 2010: Diego Graglia on WNYC, New York Public Radio
President Obama campaigned on a promise to address immigration issues in his first year but other pressing issues, such as the economy and healthcare, have caused him to postpone Congressional debate on immigration reform until 2010.
Feet in Two Worlds blog editor Diego Graglia appeared on The Brian Lehrer Show on August 17, 2009 to discuss the Obama administration's decision to table comprehensive immigration reform until next year and the reaction from Latino activists. Click here to listen.
You can also read Diego's blog post on the subject here.
Techno with a Spanish beat : Martina Guzmán on WDET, Detroit Public Radio
The Motown sound is probably the most famous music to come out of Detroit. But two decades ago, the Motor City spawned another musical genre. Today, "techno" is instantly recognizable as the soundtrack for nightlife in clubs and discos from New York to Moscow, and the young black Detroit DJs who pioneered the style are now considered music royalty.
Inspired by legendary Detroit techno artists, the next generation of DJs began mixing traditional techno sounds with music from their Latin roots to form the subgenre of Latin techno. Feet in Two Worlds' Martina Guzmán reports on this burgeoning musical genre for WDET's Detroit Today. The story aired on August 13, 2009. Click here to listen.
Photo: Merlijn Hoek/Flickr CC
Helping Haitians to help themselves: Martina Guzmán on WDET's Detroit Today
Non-profit group Haiti Outreach, based out of St. Blase Church on Detroit's east side, sends physicians and medical supplies to Mirebalais, a remote town in Haiti.
Feet in Two Worlds and WDET journalist Martina Guzmán reports on the group and its missions to Haiti, where people "will do anything to see a physician," including standing in a mile-long line, say members Dominique Monde and Soledad Nelson.
"The relationship between both communities is mutually beneficial," reports Martina. "By helping a town in Haiti, Haitian-Americans help themselves maintain their identity."
Martina's story aired July 8, 2009, on Detroit Public Radio's Detroit Today show. Click here to listen online.
Photo: Haiti Outreach
Stunning comeback in Mexican elections: Diego Graglia onThe Brian Lehrer Show
Feet in Two Worlds blog editor Diego Graglia was interviewed Tuesday, July 7, 2009, on The Brian Lehrer Show on WNYC, New York public radio.
Diego spoke about the mid-term elections in Mexico, where the PRI, the party that controlled the country for seven decades until 2000, has made a stunning comeback.
The election had a turnout rate of less than 50% and it saw almost 6% of voters casting nullified ballots as a protest against the political party system.
Click here to listen to the segment online.
Photo: tj scenes/Flickr CC
Immigrant business owners on Staten Island struggle against the recession: Aswini Anburajan on WNYC
In recent years immigrant business owners have breathed new life into the North Shore of Staten Island—New York's least populated and least diverse borough—but now the economic downturn has left many of them struggling.
Feet in Two Worlds partnered with WNYC, New York Public Radio to produce a profile of Victory Boulevard, one of Staten Island's major thoroughfares, for the Main Street NYC series, which examines the recession's impact on neighborhoods across the city.
Click here to listen to the story by Feet in Two Worlds reporter Aswini Anburajan, which aired on May 12, 2009 during Morning Edition on WNYC.
Photo: Aswini Anburajan
A new generation of Polish Americans: Ewa Kern-Jedrychowska on Latino USA
Ewa Kern-Jedrychowska, reporter for Nowy Dziennik/The Polish Daily News, describes the changing attitudes of young Polish Americans toward their homeland and the United States. Older Polish immigrants idealized the U.S. for its political freedom and economic security, but younger Poles who grew up after the fall of communism now look toward Europe for economic opportunities. Armed with self confidence and mobility, this younger generation feels less tied to life in America than their parents and grandparents.
Ewa's piece aired April 24, 2009 on Latino USA. You can listen to it online on the show's website. The show airs locally Sunday morning on WNYC, New York Public Radio.
Photo: Ewa Kern-Jedrychowska
Feet in Two Worlds' Martina Guzmán wins Michigan AP Broadcasters Association award
Martina Guzmán received the 2008 award for best individual reporting from the Michigan AP Broadcasters Association for her stories that aired on WDET, Detroit Public Radio. Her winning stories, produced by Feet in Two Worlds, included a profile of Detroit's newest private school, a piece on Palestinian-American Rashida Tlaib's campaign for the Michigan State Legislature and a piece on Hispanic-owned businesses thriving amidst Detroit's deteriorating economy.
Obama in translation: Diego Graglia on The Brian Lehrer Show on WNYC, New York Public Radio
Feet in Two Worlds blog editor Diego Graglia appeared on WNYC's The Brian Lehrer Show on March 3, 2009 to discuss President Obama's announcement on Spanish-language radio that he intends to begin work on immigration reform in the next few months.
In his interview with Los Angeles-based Eddie "Piolin" Sotelo, the President said he was"very committed" to having the reform passed in Congress. But the news was mostly ignored by English-language media. As we wrote after the interview, this is not the first time Obama shows this different approach, tailored to the Latino, pro-immigrant audience.
You can listen to Diego's conversation with Brian Lehrer on WNYC's web site.
Young Venezuelan conductor shakes up Los Angeles' arts scene: Pilar Marrero on Studio 360
Gustavo Dudamel, the 28-year-old Venezuelan, will soon take over as music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. He's already making waves in LA by bringing classical music to the city's under-served students. Pilar Marrero reports from south central LA, home to the Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles (YOLA), where Dudamel has started teaching and inspiring young people, many of them Latino, to appreciate classical music.
Pilar's piece aired February 21, 2009 on PRI's Studio 360 on WNYC, New York Public Radio. Click here to listen.
Immigrant demand for English classes outstrips supply in Massachusetts town: Eduardo Oliveira on PRI's The World
Brazilian immigrants make up about a third of the population of Framingham, Massaschusetts. Many ethnic newspapers, radio stations and businesses cater to these residents' needs but Brazilians desperately still want to learn English.
In a piece that ran on PRI's The World on February 16, 2009, Feet in Two Worlds journalist Eduardo de Oliveira reports that English as a Second Language (ESL) classes are in such high demand in Framingham—600 immigrants recently applied for 185 slots—that you have to win a lottery to get in.
Click here to listen to the segment on PRI's web site.
Photo: Eduardo A. de Oliveira
Immigrant Family Keeps The Art of Rug Weaving Alive in Detroit: Martina Guzmán on WDET
Handmade rugs from around the world have made their way into the homes of metro Detroiters, collectors and art aficionados across the United States thanks to the Hagopians, an Armenian family from Detroit.
Feet in Two Worlds reporter Martina Guzmán aired a report on January 30, 2009 onWDET, Detroit Public Radio about the Hagopian family's commitment to keeping the art of rug weaving alive and the annual rug design competition at the College for Creative Studies that has influenced hundreds of young artists.
Click here to listen to the story.
Latinos hit hard by auto industry crisis: Martina Guzmán on WDET, Detroit Public Radio
For decades Latino immigrants have achieved the American dream through the US auto industry. Manufacturing plants provided wealth, stability and the means to send their children to college. But now with General Motors, Chrysler and Ford near collapse, Hispanic autoworkers and business owners ponder their fate.
Martina Guzmán's radio piece on the experiences of Latinos facing the auto crisis aired January 14, 2009 on WDET, Detroit Public Radio.Click here to listen to the story. You can also read Martina's blog post on the same subject on the Feet in Two Worlds blog
Photo: MichiganMoves/Flickr CC
Deepening economic crisis could be sending Polish immigrants back to Poland: Ewa Kern-Jedrychowska on WNYC
Poles going back to Poland, a trend that was first noticed two years ago, may be getting a boost from the economic crisis in the U.S. Speaking on WNYC's The Brian Lehrer Showon November 26, 2008, FI2W journalist Ewa Kern-Jedrychowska talked about the growing number of Poles who are returning to their home country for economic reasons.
A variety of factors have encouraged reverse migration, chief among them is Poland's admission into the European Union four years ago, which has opened up work opportunities for Polish citizens in a number of European countries. Ewa, who reports forNowy Dziennik/The Polish Daily News, noted however that like the U.S., Poland is experiencing an economic slowdown, so the benefits of moving to the Eastern European country may not be as great today as they have been in recent years.
Click here to listen to the segment on WNYC's web site.
Hispanic businesses thrive in Detroit, despite poor economy: Martina Guzmán on WDET
The crisis in the U.S. auto industry is among the many serious challenges facing Michigan's economy. People are moving out of Michigan at a higher rate than any state in the nation, and at 8.5 percent Michigan has the highest average annual unemployment rate in the U.S. Despite these trends, business in the state's Hispanic community is flourishing.
Feet in Two Worlds' Martina Guzmán reported on Detroit's thriving Latino businesses forWDET, Detroit Public Radio on November 12, 2008 and on February 6, 2009 for NPR'sLatino USA, which reaches 172 stations in 31 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. You can listen to the story here.
Feet in Two Worlds talks economy and the election on The Brian Lehrer Show
Pilar Marrero and Aswini Anburajan joined Brian Lehrer on Thursday, September 25, 2008, onWNYC, New York Public Radio to discuss the impact of mortgage foreclosures and the financial crisis on immigrants in the US.
They also discussed how economic concerns may affect the election in battleground states like Nevada and Florida, which have large numbers of Latino voters. Click here to listen to the segment.
Photo: Michael Slatoff/Flickr CC
Ewa Kern-Jedrychowska tells the story of the Polish migration homeward on WNYC's All Things Considered
Almost two decades after the collapse of communism and four years after joining the European Union, Poland is booming. Even as that nation's economy lures young Poles homeward, anti-immigrant sentiment in the US and elsewhere reinforces their decision to return.
Feet in Two Worlds journalist Ewa Kern-Jedrychowska reports on the push and pull factors driving Poles back to Poland. Her story aired on September 18, 2008 on WNYC's broadcast of All Things Considered. Click here to listen online.
Martina Guzmán profiles Detroit's newest model school for WDET Radio
Detroit has the lowest high school graduation rate of any major city in the country. Cristo Rey, a new Catholic high school, is attempting to increase the odds for low-income African American and Latino teenagers with an innovative education model that combines rigorous academics with on-the-job training. Feet in Two Worlds reporter Martina Guzmán profiled the school and its students for WDET News. Her story aired on September 15, 2008. Click here to listen online.
Feet in Two Worlds radio series wins SPJ award
"Polish Immigrants in a Changing City," a series of radio pieces produced last year by Feet in Two Worlds reporter Ewa Kern-Jedrychowska and Karen Frillmann of WNYC, is the first-place winner of the 2007 New America Award from the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ).
This is the fourth year for the award, which honors public service journalism collaborations that include ethnic media in order to explore and expose an issue of importance to immigrant or ethnic communities in the United States.
The winning work was a two-part series about New York's Polish immigrant community by Ewa for WNYC, New York Public Radio. The first story, "Feet in Two Worlds: Greenpoint, Brooklyn," examined the impact of gentrification on the residents of a Brooklyn neighborhood that is the hub of New York's Polish community. The second part in the series, "Asbestos Workers Who Toiled Near Ground Zero Sick 6 Years Later," focused on Polish workers and was broadcast as part of WNYC's coverage of the 6th anniversary of the September 11 attacks.
You can read more about the New America Award here.
Connecticut cities take different appraoches to immigration policy: Aswini Anburajan on WNYC's The Takeaway
Feet in Two Worlds reporter and blogger Aswini Anburajan was interviewed on The Takeaway on WNYC Radio on July 28, 2008, where she discussed her blog post on divergent policies toward undocumented immigrants in New Haven and Danbury, Connecticut.
You can listen to the segment here.
Photo: Chris Garaffa/Flickr CC
Feet in Two Worlds reporter Ewa Kern-Jedrychowska featured in the New York Daily News
Ewa Kern-Jedrychowska was profiled by the New York Daily News on April 8, 2008 for their weekly series, "Big Town, Big Dreams." Read the article online: 'In New York I actually rarely feel like an immigrant.'
Dominican community thrives in New York: Diego Graglia on WNYC, New York Public Radio
There are so many Dominicans in New York today that the city is sometimes called the thirty-second province of the Dominican Republic. Feet in Two Worlds journalist Diego Graglia reports on the roots of the city's Dominican community—how they got here, how political activism shaped their early arrival, and how they have preserved what one person in Diego's story calls their community's "Dominicanness."
Diego Graglia is an Argentinean journalist who writes about the convergence of the U.S. and Latin America. His story, "Feet in Two Worlds: Dominicans in Manhattan," aired on November 5, 2007, during All Things Considered on WNYC, New York Public Radio. You can listen to it online on the WNYC website.
Photo: Bonnie Natko/ Flickr CC
Serious health consequences for Polish asbestos workers at Ground Zero: Ewa Kern-Jedrychowska on WNYC's Morning Edition
In "Ground Zero May Be Making Even Well-Protected Workers Sick," Feet in Two Worlds reporter Ewa Kern-Jedrychowska describes the plight of Polish asbestos workers who participated in the cleanup after the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center. She reports that toxic chemicals at the site are suspected of killing an alarming number of these workers, and that many others have lost their jobs due to illness or changes in immigration laws that were implemented after 9/11.
Ewa is a reporter for the Polish Daily News, and her story aired on September 11, 2007, during Morning Edition, as part of WNYC's coverage of the 6th anniversary of the September 11 attacks.
Photo: Terry Ballard/Flickr CC
Aswini Anburajan brings the story of globetrotting Indian workers to public radio's Marketplace
In her first nationally broadcast radio story, Aswini Anburajan explores how H1-B visas issued by the government are being used in surprising new ways by high-tech companies and their Indian employees in the U.S. Instead of keeping to the traditional purpose of these visas—as the first step to getting a green card, which allows permanent residence in the U.S.—these workers are now using them to move around the world in search of adventure, corporate advancement and higher pay.
Aswini's story aired on July 30, 2007. You can listen to it on the Marketplace website.
Photo: phinalanji/Flickr CC
Feet in Two Worlds town hall focuses on proposed immigration bill in Washington
At a May 24, 2007, event, Same News Different Views, Bridging the Gap Between Ethnic and Mainstream Media, co-sponsored by the Center for New York City Affairs and WNYC, New York Public Radio, leading ethnic and mainstream media journalists brought new perspectives to the immigration policy debate in Washington.
You can listen to the radio broadcast of the town hall on WNYC's website.
More than 200 journalists, community organizers and members of the public attended the event hosted by WNYC's Brian Lehrer. Speakers included: Alberto Vourvoulias-Bush, executive editor of El Diario/LA PRENSA; Sree Sreenivasan, dean of students at Columbia Journalism School, tech reporter for WNBC-TV and co-founder of the South Asian Journalists Association (SAJA); Ti-Hua Chang, reporter for WCBS-TV; and Elaine Rivera, reporter for WNYC; Julia Preston, national immigration reporter for the New York Times; Roberto Lovato, writer for New America Media; Leon Wynter, writer and author ofAmerican Skin: Big Business, Pop Culture and the End of White America; and Muzaffar Chishti, director of the Migration Policy Institute's office at the NYU School of Law.
Gentrification hits Greenpoint: Ewa Kern Jedrychowska on WNYC, New York Public Radio
Ewa Kern-Jedrychowska's recent story on WNYCfocused on long-time Polish residents of Greenpoint, Brooklyn, who are being forced out of their apartments by high rents and landlord harassment. She also reported that many in Greenpoint's Polish community welcome the recent changes to their neighborhood, including new businesses and a major infusion of city funds to revitalize McCarren Park.
Click here to listen to Ewa's story, which aired on May 23, 2007, and was WNYC's #1 most emailed story for the week of May 28, 2007. You can also read Ewa's article about the making of her story here.
To read what other websites are saying about the Greenpoint story and the issues it raises, click on the links below.
http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2007/05/24/waiting-for-help-in-greenpoint/
http://www.gothamcityinsider.com/2007/05/feet-in-two-worlds-greenpoint-brooklyn.html
http://nycslav.blogspot.com/2007/05/polish-greenpoint-endangered-cultural.html
Photo: Anna Majkowska/Flickr CC
Aswini Anburajan's feature on Indian immigrants joins WNYC's top ten most emailed stories
After airing on May 31, 2007, reporter Aswini Anburajan's story, Feet in Two Worlds: Indian Immigrants quickly moved to the #8 spot on WNYC.org's most emailed list. In it, she explores some of the challenges faced by South Asian information technology professionals managing transnational work lives.
Some sleep, others tango: Diego Graglia on WNYC
While most of the city sleeps, a growing number of New Yorkers get together late at night to dance tango. The tango parties are known as milongas, the Argentinean slang name for social tango dances born in Buenos Aires in the late 1800s. Two decades ago, only a couple of milongas existed in Queens. But today New York hosts up to five milongas any night of the week.
Feet in Two Worlds reporter Diego Graglia's story on the city's growing tango scene aired on WNYC, New York Public Radio on May 04, 2007. Click here to listen.