Full Frame: Immigration Transformation 

The United States is home to the world’s largest population of foreign-born residents, with immigrants making up nearly 14 percent of the population as of 2022. 

Are immigrants taking jobs from U.S. workers or helping the economy thrive? 

Ray Suarez joins Full Frame host Mike Walter to dismantle the myths fueling anti-immigrant sentiment. In his latest book, “We Are Home”, the veteran journalist amplifies immigrant voices, challenging the idea that newcomers are to blame for economic struggles. From a Yemeni-Kenyan activist shaped by the Muslim ban to a New Zealander thriving despite being undocumented, Suarez reveals how immigration is weaponized in election years while corporate power escapes scrutiny. 

In December 2023, U.S. border patrol detained over 170,000 migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border.  

As the crisis escalates, the humanitarian visa parole program, which allows asylum seekers to enter the U.S., faces intense backlash. But while the debate rages, what’s the reality? What does the process actually look like, and how do migrants adapt to life in a new country? These crucial questions often get lost in the noise. 

“Migration from Mexico into the U.S. is a relatively recent phenomenon.” Prof. Langer

From the first European settlers in the 1600’s to the waves of immigrants chasing the American Dream in the 19th and 20th centuries, the U.S. has been shaped by newcomers. Georgetown University professor, Erick Langer, also joins Full Frame to break down the complex history of immigration and how today’s policies continue to reshape the country. What’s changed, what’s stayed the same, and what it all means for the future.