Immigrant Stories | The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants

Welcome to episode 141 of The American Dream in the Eyes of Immigrants Podcast. I am your host, Heidy De La Cruz, and I am on a mission to change the narrative of immigration one immigrant story at a time! Yonny, a Mexican immigrant and paralegal, shares his journey from growing up in Mexico City and Puebla to migrating to the United States at just 15. Today, he dedicates his career to helping immigrant communities through nonprofit legal services. In this episode, Yonny reflects on his childhood in Mexico, the life-changing decision to migrate to the United States as a teenager, and the challenges of adapting to a new country and culture in Washington, D.C. He opens up about the uncertainty of living without legal status, the perseverance it took to keep moving forward, and the emotional and practical hurdles he faced along the way. Yonny takes us through his journey from undocumented status to receiving a work permit and later obtaining his green card. Inspired by his own experiences, he now works as a paralegal supporting nonprofits that provide legal services to immigrant families and unaccompanied children. His work is driven by a deep desire to give back to the community and support others navigating the same complex immigration system he once faced. With Love, Heidy FeedSpot Podcast Article Sign up now and join our exclusive Substack community!!! 💛 Check out the full list of different ways you can support the podcast.     *This podcast is sponsored by   Capital BPG Far From Home Podcast Kaza Law Immigration Barbara Perez Law 360 Immigration Law   For sponsorship opportunities, send an email to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]   Make a one-time donation here: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=2C3JDALUGTS6E Become a podcaster in 6-weeks or less with The V.O.I.C.E. Method Podcast Launch Course! Learn everything from tech, podcast hosting sites, editing, Podcast SEO, and more! Find out more information here. And if you refer a client to me and they sign up for the 1:1 Podcast Launch Strategy, you will receive $50!         Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome to episode 140 of The American Dream in the Eyes of Immigrants Podcast. I am your host, Heidy De La Cruz, and I am on a mission to change the narrative of immigration one immigrant story at a time! Veronica Cardenas, an immigration attorney and the daughter of immigrants from Colombia and Peru, shares how her upbringing and personal experiences shaped her passion for advocating for immigrant communities and helping non-citizens navigate the complex U.S. immigration system. In this episode, Veronica reflects on growing up in a predominantly Italian-American neighborhood while balancing multiple cultural identities at home. She opens up about the challenges of cultural assimilation, the influence of her parents’ immigrant journeys, and how those experiences fueled her determination to pursue a career in law and advocacy. Veronica takes us through her professional journey, from working as a prosecutor at the Department of Homeland Security to founding her own law firm. Today, her work focuses on educating and empowering immigrants by providing clear, accessible information about immigration law. Through her webinars, courses, and partnerships, she is committed to helping individuals understand their rights and opportunities within the immigration system. With Love, Heidy Connect with Veronica Cardenas: Instagram Website YouTube FeedSpot Podcast Article Sign up now and join our exclusive community on Substack!!! 💛 Check out the full list of different ways you can support the podcast.  *This podcast is sponsored by  Ir Al Sol Swimwear Capital BPG Far From Home Podcast Kaza Law Immigration Barbara Perez Law 360 Immigration Law For sponsorship opportunities, send an email to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected] Make a one-time donation here: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=2C3JDALUGTS6E Because a podcaster in 6-weeks or less with The V.O.I.C.E. Method Podcast Launch Course! Learn everything from tech, podcast hosting sites, editing, Podcast SEO, and more! Find out more information here.  And if you refer a client to me and they sign up for the 1:1 Podcast Launch Strategy, you will receive $50!    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome to episode 139 of The American Dream in the Eyes of Immigrants Podcast. I am your host, Heidy De La Cruz, and I am on a mission to change the narrative of immigration one immigrant story at a time! Ingrid Perez, an immigration attorney and founder of IBP Immigration Law in Orlando, Florida, shares her journey from Brazil to the United States and how her immigrant experience shaped her path into law and advocacy. In this episode, Ingrid reflects on her childhood in Brazil, her family’s move to New York in 1994, and the challenges of adapting to life in a new country. She opens up about the cultural adjustments, the determination it took to pursue higher education, and the lessons she learned while navigating unfamiliar systems as she built her future. Ingrid takes us through her professional journey—from starting her legal career as a public defender to eventually specializing in immigration law and founding her own firm.  Today, she is dedicated to helping immigrants understand the complexities of the legal system and empowering them to advocate for themselves. Through her work, she continues to guide individuals and families as they navigate immigration processes and build their lives in the United States. With Love, Heidy Connect with Ingrid Perez: Instagram Website FeedSpot Podcast Article Sign up now and join our exclusive community on Substack!!! 💛 Check out the full list of different ways you can support the podcast.  *This podcast is sponsored by  Ir Al Sol Swimwear Capital BPG Far From Home Podcast Kaza Law Immigration Barbara Perez Law 360 Immigration Law For sponsorship opportunities, send an email to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected] Make a one-time donation here: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=2C3JDALUGTS6E Because a podcaster in 6-weeks or less with The V.O.I.C.E. Method Podcast Launch Course! Learn everything from tech, podcast hosting sites, editing, Podcast SEO, and more! Find out more information here.  And if you refer a client to me and they sign up for the 1:1 Podcast Launch Strategy, you will receive $50!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome to episode 138 of The American Dream in the Eyes of Immigrants Podcast. I am your host, Heidy De La Cruz, and I am on a mission to change the narrative of immigration one immigrant story at a time! Mariana Tinoco Rivera shares her journey from Mexico to the United States, where she now lives in Boston and works as a product manager in tech. From her early career as a journalist in Mexico City to pursuing graduate studies in publishing and writing, Mariana has built a global career that eventually led her to Google. In this episode, Mariana reflects on her professional and personal transitions—from journalism to tech, and from life in Mexico to navigating corporate America. She opens up about the cultural adjustments she faced, from adapting to colder weather to understanding new workplace expectations and professional norms. Through each transition, she shares how resilience, curiosity, and adaptability shaped her path. Mariana takes us through her journey from storyteller and journalist to tech professional and community builder. She shares her passion project, Arrival Pod, where she interviews first-generation immigrant women from around the world. Through these conversations, she highlights the shared themes of identity, belonging, and reinvention that connect immigrant experiences across cultures. With Love, Heidy Connect with Mariana Tinoco Rivera: Website Podcast Instagram   FeedSpot Podcast Article   Sign up now and join our exclusive community on Substack!!! 💛   Check out the full list of different ways you can support the podcast.    *This podcast is sponsored by  Ir Al Sol Swimwear Capital BPG Far From Home Podcast Kaza Law Immigration Barbara Perez Law 360 Immigration Law For sponsorship opportunities, send an email to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected] Make a one-time donation here: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=2C3JDALUGTS6E   Because a podcaster in 6-weeks or less with The V.O.I.C.E. Method Podcast Launch Course! Learn everything from tech, podcast hosting sites, editing, Podcast SEO, and more! Find out more information here.  And if you refer a client to me and they sign up for the 1:1 Podcast Launch Strategy, you will receive $50!    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome to episode 137 of The American Dream in the Eyes of Immigrants Podcast. I am your host, Heidy De La Cruz, and I am on a mission to change the narrative of immigration one immigrant story at a time! Mafe Salazar shares her journey from Venezuela to Canada, where she immigrated 11 years ago. What was meant to be a one-year adventure turned into a permanent move rooted in community, growth, and purpose. Today, Mafe is a podcast producer and host, helping others bring their voices to life. In this episode, Mafe reflects on leaving Venezuela and navigating cultural adjustments in Canada, from adapting to the cold weather to understanding new social norms. She opens up about the importance of friendship and community in her decision to stay, as well as the reverse culture shock she experienced when visiting Venezuela years later. Mafe takes us through her professional journey from working in the hospitality and accounting industries to building a business in podcast production. She shares how she launched her own show, From Tourist to Local, pivoted her business to focus fully on podcasting, and embraced entrepreneurship despite burnout and uncertainty. Through it all, she highlights the parallels between immigration and entrepreneurship—both require courage, reinvention, and stepping into a new identity. With Love, Heidy Connect with Mafe: Instagram Threads Podcast Website   FeedSpot Podcast Article You can now become an official supporter of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants podcast for just $10 a month! Your support helps cover production costs, ensuring we continue bringing powerful immigrant stories to life. And as a thank you, you'll get exclusive access to: ✨ Behind-the-scenes content 🎙️ Special Q&A sessions with me 🔓 Ad-free episodes!  If this podcast has inspired you, moved you, or made you feel seen, this is your chance to be part of its growth. Your support truly makes a difference! Sign up now and join our exclusive community on Substack!!! 💛   Check out the full list of different ways you can support the podcast.    *This podcast is sponsored by  Ir Al Sol Swimwear Capital BPG Far From Home Podcast Kaza Law Immigration Barbara Perez Law 360 Immigration Law   For sponsorship opportunities, send an email to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected] Make a one-time donation here: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=2C3JDALUGTS6E   Because a podcaster in 6-weeks or less with The V.O.I.C.E. Method Podcast Launch Course! Learn everything from tech, podcast hosting sites, editing, Podcast SEO, and more! Find out more information here. And if you refer a client to me and they sign up for the 1:1 Podcast Launch Strategy, you will receive $50!    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.