If you missed it, be sure to check out the latest episode of Connections on KGNU. This past show was a special one, part of our fall fund drive, and an important conversation on immigration—an issue at the forefront of this election season.
Back in 2020, I was the first reporter hired in the newsroom, and I worked with Maeve Conran to cover a pivotal moment when Boulder Valley School District students wrote letters asking the school board to protect their parents from ICE deportations. The fear those kids felt—of losing their parents during school drop-offs—was real. Just as we were ready to report on it, the pandemic shut everything down, but the issue of deportation never disappeared. It’s a story that stays with me, and it’s why I continue to bring these voices to the forefront.
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Invisible Until Election Time: Unmasking the Systemic Oppression of Immigrants Rossana Longo-Better
In this episode, I was joined by a panel of experts to discuss the ongoing impact of immigration policies on families and communities. Here is the list of our guests: Pete Salas a local social justice advocate, Jorge M. Chavez, Associate Professor at CU Denver and BVSD Board Member, shared insights from his research on racial and ethnic inequalities and how immigration policies affect young immigrants. Ingrid Castro-Campos, a dedicated advocate for social justice, talked about how restorative practices can help immigrant communities cope with trauma. Michael Dougherty, Boulder County’s District Attorney, provided a unique perspective on the intersection of immigration policy and the law, and how his office works to ensure immigrant families are treated fairly.
I do this work out of love for my community and the responsibility I feel to bring these voices forward—because far too often, we are invisible. If you missed the conversation, please take the time to listen and share it. Together, we can keep elevating these critical issues and making our voices heard.