Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Martyna Majok debuted her new play, Sanctuary City, Off-Broadway at New York Theatre Workshop in the fall of 2021. The drama follows B and G, two best friends, both undocumented immigrants. After 9/11, B’s mom decides to return to her country of origin, but the U.S. is the only home B has ever known. As he decides whether to stay or leave, G might be able to offer him a solution. How much are they each willing to sacrifice? 

Sanctuary City puts U.S. immigration policy and the people it affects under a microscope and humanizes the stories behind the legalese. Host Ruthie Fierberg, along with Majok and experts Katherine Benton-Cohen (Author Inventing the Immigration Problem: The Dillingham Commission & Its Legacy), Carolina Canizales (Immigration Legal Resource Center), and Christian Pinochet-Paul (Presidents’ Alliance) discuss the evolution of immigration policy in the United States to present day, potential reforms to make policies more humane, where immigrants can find support, and more. 

Create the change

• Support your local immigrant communities


• Create a warm and safe space at community centers


• Welcome them in the PTA and at school functions


• Become a patron of immigrant-owned businesses


• Assist in supporting refugees


• Dispel myths about immigrants (Read “The 14 Most Common Arguments Against Immigrants and Why They’re Wrong”)


• Donate to/partner with TheDream.US


• Donate to the International Rescue Committee
  


• Volunteer with/Join a campaign at United We Dream, the largest immigrant youth-led network


• 
  Visit the State Policies map to see the policies of colleges & universities in every state


• Advocate for in-state tuition for all students with your state representatives


• If you work at a college or university, visit Presidents’ Alliance for resources, research, and tips to support international, immigrant, & undocumented students


• If you or someone you know is an immigrant, undocumented or otherwise, who needs support:


• Check your eligibility for DACA and apply (DACA toolbox)
  


• Apply for a National Scholarship or Opportunity Scholarship for higher education


• Seek support from United We Dream
  


• Reach out to Texas Organizing Project
  


• Contact the Workers Defense Project
  


• Find a Dream Center near you

Referred to in this episode

• 
  Timeline of U.S. immigration laws 


• What is DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals)?


• What is DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act)?


• The Dillingham Commission


• Katie’s book Inventing the Immigration Problem: The Dillingham Commission & Its Legacy
  


• Chinese Exclusion Act


• 1907 Gentlemen's Agreement


• 1965 Hart-Celler Act


• What is the DREAM Act?


• Who are Dreamers?


• Paul Kramer TED Talk: “Our Immigration Conversation Is Broken”


• 
  Section 1325 (Unlawful Entry….) and Section 1326 (Re-entry After Deportation)
  


• Business Insider article on inflation and immigration


• Presidents’ Alliance, Best Practices


• Gaby Pacheco scholarship (via TheDream.us)


• Julian Castro’s proposed immigration policies


• Libby Garland’s book After They Closed the Gates: Jewish Illegal Immigration to the United States, 1921-1965
  


• The number of immigrants and undocumented immigrants in the U.S.

About Our Guests:

Ruthie Fierberg, Host

Ruthiefierberg.com 

IG: @whywetheater / T: @whywetheater

IG: @ruthiefierceberg / T: @RuthiesATrain

Martyna Majok, playwright

Twitter: @martynamajok

Katherine Benton-Cohen, PhD, professor of history and author

Twitter: @guprofbc 

Carolina Canizales, Immigrant Legal Resource Center

Twitter: @the_ILRC

Christian Penichet-Paul, Presidents’ Alliance

Twitter: @donchristian92

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices