Melting the ICE / Derritiendo el Hielo

English below* Este episodio se transmitió originalmente en WKCR-NY 89.9 FM  y WPKN-CT 89.5 FM el 15 de abril de 2021. Un agradecimiento especial a Suny Rodríguez, quien compartió su historia con nosotros.Este episodio fue co-producido por Luis Luna, Sylvia Ryerson y Annie Rosenthal. Agradecimientos especiales a Janis Jin quien nos asistió en la producción de este episodio, a Conchita Cruz,  Marilyn Alvarado  y a todo el equipo de ASAPA Amiri Tulloch y a nuestros amigos de WKCR-NY. La música es de Olmeca, artista de hip-hop bilingüe, productor, activista y académico. Encuéntralo en Spotify, Itunes o dondequiera que escuchas tu música.______This episode originally aired on WKCR-NY 89.9 FM and WPKN-CT 89.5 FM on April 15, 2021. Special thanks to Suny Rodriguez who shared her story with us.This episode was co-produced by Luis Luna, Sylvia Ryerson, and Annie Rosenthal. Special thanks to Janis Jin, who assisted in the production of this episode and to Conchita Cruz and Marilyn Alvarado and to all the ASAP team. Shout out to Amiri Tulloch and our friends at WKCR Suny’s interview was voiced by Marilyn Alvarado. The opening and closing theme music for this show is by Olmeca bilingual hip-hop artist, producer, activist and scholar.  Find him on Spotify, Itunes or wherever you get your music. www.meltingtheice.org www.asylumadvocacy.org www.olmecaofficial.comwww.wpkn.org https://www.cc-seas.columbia.edu/wkcr/

This episode is bilingual. Este episodio es bilingüe. La versión en español comienza en 24 min 41 seg.As the Biden administration prepared to roll out its immigration bill, we took a moment to zoom out and reassess the current detention landscape. We spoke with Setareh Ghandehari, advocacy director of Detention Watch Network, about the rise of immigrant detention in the U.S., what the new administration means for the future of the practice, and the challenges and possibilities for organizers in the months ahead. We also introduced a new feature: a local news bulletin, with updates from partners on the ground in New York and New Jersey.This episode originally aired on WKCR and WPKN on February 18, 2021. Special thanks to Setareh Ghandehari of Detention Watch Network; Constanza Segovia, who shared Setareh’s interview in Spanish; and Amiri Tulloch at WKCR. This episode was co-produced by Luis Luna, Sylvia Ryerson, and Annie Rosenthal. For more information, visit meltingtheice.org.Spanish interpretation voiced by artist Constanza Segovia (who designed our podcast square!). You can see more of her amazing work at veoveodesign.comThe opening and closing theme music for this show is by the Bilingual hip-hop artist and human rights activist Olmeca. Hear more of his powerful work at www.olmecaofficial.comEn Español: Mientras la administración de Biden se preparaba para implementar su proyecto de ley de inmigración, nos tomamos un momento para alejarnos y reevaluar el panorama actual de detenciones. Hablamos con Setareh Ghandehari, directora de defensa de Detention Watch Network, sobre el aumento de la detención de inmigrantes en los Estados Unidos, lo que significa la nueva administración para el futuro de la práctica, y los desafíos y posibilidades para los activistas en los meses venideros. También presentamos una nueva función: un boletín de noticias local, con actualizaciones de compañeros en el terreno en Nueva York y Nueva Jersey.Este episodio se emitió originalmente en WKCR y WPKN el 18 de febrero de 2021. Un agradecimiento especial a Setareh Ghandehari de Detention Watch Network; Constanza Segovia, quien compartió la entrevista de Setareh en español; y Amiri Tulloch en WKCR. Este episodio fue coproducido por Luis Luna, Sylvia Ryerson y Annie Rosenthal. Para obtener más información, visite meltingtheice.org.Interpretación en español con la voz de la artista Constanza Segovia (¡quien diseñó nuestra plaza de podcasts!). Puedes ver más de su increíble trabajo en veoveodesign.com.El tema musical de apertura y cierre de este espectáculo es de la artista bilingüe de hip-hop y activista de derechos humanos Olmeca. Escuche más de su poderoso trabajo en www.olmecaofficial.com.

In this two-hour special, we teamed up with New Sanctuary Coalition NYC to send solidarity and holiday greetings over the airwaves to reach those separated from loved ones this season by the walls of ICE detention. This show is a collage of messages, poems, and prayers from family, friends and faith leaders from across the tristate area and beyond, mixed with holiday music and songs from the long struggle for justice in the Americas.Notes: This full episode originally aired on WKCR-FM on Christmas Eve, reaching four of the largest ICE detention centers in New Jersey.Special thanks to Andres Jimenez, Edwin Ramon Tineo, and Michael Herwitz at New Sanctuary Coalition for all their help in producing this episode, and to Amiri Tulloch and Jeremiah Aviles at WKCR-FM.New Sanctuary Coalition’s hotline number is 908-791-5309www.newsanctuarynyc.orgwww.meltingtheice.orgCo-hosted and Produced by Luis Luna and Sylvia RyersonAssociate Producer Annie RosenthalEn este especial de dos horas, colaboramos con New Sanctuary Coalition NYC para enviar saludos de solidaridad y festivos por las ondas de radio a aquellos separados de sus seres queridos esta temporada por los muros de detención de ICE. Este espectáculo es un collage de mensajes, poemas y oraciones de familiares, amigos y líderes religiosos de todo el área de los tres estados y más allá, mezclado con música navideña y canciones de la larga lucha por la justicia en las Américas.NOTES: Este episodio completo se emitió originalmente en WKCR-FM en Nochebuena y llegó a cuatro de los centros de detención de ICE más grandes de Nueva Jersey.Un agradecimiento especial a Andres Jimenez, Edwin Ramon Tineo y Michael Herwitz de New Sanctuary Coalition por toda su ayuda en la producción de este episodio, y a Amiri Tulloch y Jeremiah Aviles de WKCR-FM.

*This episode is bilingual. The first half is in spanish; a full english interpretation begins at 30min 54sec. Skip to here to listen in english! Español: En este episodio, Luis Luna habla con Yimy Aldair Benitez Lopez, una mujer transgénero que pasó cinco meses en un centro de detención de ICE solo para hombres y estaba en detención cuando empezó la pandemia. Su conversación explora los condiciones fatales que Yimy experimentó adentro durante la pandemia, y las dificultades que en enfrentó en continuar su tratamiento de terapia hormonal en la detención, pero también, su vida artística como intérprete con el nombre Itzel Ferrati, y la importancia de la creatividad incluso en las peores condiciones.Sylvia Ryerson también habla con Rachel Levenson, una de las abogados de Yimy con Make the Road NY, sobre la importancia del caso de Yimy, el papel central de Yimy en la organización y divulgación de noticias sobre una huelga de hambre dentro del Centro Correccional del Condado de Hudson para protestar estas condiciones, y la lucha en curso por #LiberarATodos.English: In this episode, Luis Luna talks with Yimy Aldair Benitez Lopez, a trans woman who spent five months in an all-male ICE facility in New Jersey, and was in detention when the pandemic first hit. Their conversation explores the deadly conditions Yimy experienced inside during the pandemic, the difficulties they faced in continuing their hormone therapy treatment in detention, but also, their artistic life as a performer by the name of Itzel Ferrati, and the importance of creativity even in the worst of conditions.Sylvia Ryerson also speaks with Rachel Levenson, one of Yimy’s attorney’s with Make the Road NY, about the significance of Yimy’s case, Yimy’s central role in organizing and breaking the news about a hunger strike inside of the Hudson County Correctional Center to protest these conditions, and the ongoing fight to #FreeThemAll.For more information see:www.maketheroadny.orgwww.detentionwatchnetwork.orgwww.meltingtheice.orgHosted by Luis LunaCo-Produced and Edited by Sylvia RyersonProduction and Research Assistance by Annie RosenthalMusic by Olmeca, more at www.olmecaofficial.com

Sylvia and Luis travel to Newark, New Jersey, to record a concert in the parking lot of the Essex County Correctional Facility, by the band Los Jornaleros Del Norte, to serenade everyone inside. The event was organized in support of Jose Hernandez Velasquez, a 20-year-old Dover High School alum who is currently, as of this podcast release date, detained by ICE inside the facility. Jose has lived in New Jersey since he was 1 year old, but he is undocumented and currently facing an order of deportation to El Salvador due to a series of low-level offenses. We recorded the event, in order to broadcast it over local airwaves to try to reach Jose and others inside, so they could hear the music and words of support sent out to them that night. And, because of the incredible help of Jose’s family, friends and legal support – and Jose’s own efforts – when this episode first aired on WKCR 89.9 FM three weeks later, Jose was listening, from inside his cell in solitary confinement. At the end of this episode, we share Jose’s message back.More information on Jose’s case here & you can support Jose’s campaign here This episode was made possible because of the support and courage of Jose Hernandez Velasquez. Special thanks also to Jose’s family, friends and legal support, Karol Ruiz, Brian Lozano, Jorge Torres, Omar Leon, Pablo Alvarado and all the members of Los Jornaleros Del Norte, to everyone who shared a message for this broadcast, and to our local broadcast partners at WKCR 89.9 FM.

Luis and Sylvia talk with their mentor (and the person who introduced them) Professor Alicia Schmidt Camacho, about how this project came about, why they love radio so much, and what their hopes are for it.You can donate to our radio fund to buy radios, headphones and batteries for people currently detained or incarcerated, here!www.meltingtheice.org

Amy Gottlieb and Janice Hoseine are longtime friends, allies and leaders in the NYC immigrant rights movement. They also have both been personally impacted by the detention of their partners. In this episode we talk with Amy and Janice about how detention impacts family members on the outside, and also, their strategies for staying connected to loved ones inside, while supporting each other and other families separated by detention.We end with an update on the Campaign for Prison Phone Justice, an over fifteen-year-long campaign to lower prison and jail phone rates nationwide, and information about Freedom for Immigrants’ detention visitation programs, available in 23 states.This episode was produced in collaboration with Freedom for Immigrants and the Immigrant Rights Clinic of NYU Law School. Special thanks to Liz Martinez, Daniela Ugaz, Priya Sreenivasan, Nancy Morawetz, and Alicia Schmidt Camacho.www.meltingtheice.orgwww.instagram.com/meltingthe_icewww.facebook.com/derritiendoinfo@meltingtheice.org

A look back at immigration laws passed in 1996, under the Clinton administration, that radically changed how the U.S. immigration system operates today, and a conversation with Tony Chen, a restaurant manager and father of three in New York City, who - because of these changes - spent seven months detained by ICE in the Bergen County Jail in Hackensack, New Jersey.We end with an update on the 2019 Supreme Court ruling in Nielsen v. Preap, and a recent win by the Corporate Backers of Hate campaign.This episode was produced in collaboration with Freedom for Immigrants and the Immigrant Rights Clinic of NYU Law School. Special thanks to Liz Martinez, Daniela Ugaz, Priya Sreenivasan, Nancy Morawetz, and Alicia Schmidt Camacho.www.meltingtheice.orgwww.instagram.com/meltingthe_icewww.facebook.com/derritiendoinfo@meltingtheice.org