The Immigrant Voice
Welcome to The Immigrant Voice podcast! My journey began with captivating interviews with immigrants sharing their stories of their experiences in the U.S. Now, I'm pivoting the format to cover a wide range of topics related to U.S. immigration law.
As a practicing immigration attorney since 2009, I’ll be covering a variety of topics, including topics like how to get a green card through family or employment, updates on recent immigration news and policy changes, insights from my experiences representing clients from around the world, and much more. I'll also answer questions submitted by our listeners and share real-life stories of client cases (anonymously of course and not too specific).
Whether you're an individual seeking to immigrate to the U.S., a family member sponsoring a loved one, you're an employer looking to hire foreign talent, you’re wondering how to get legal status in the U.S., or you’re just curious about the U.S. immigration system, this podcast will provide valuable insights about the U.S. immigration system.
So, come join me here as I explore a variety of U.S. immigration topics and where you can stay up-to-date on the latest developments in U.S. immigration law.
The Immigrant Voice
Episode 13 - Lavinia (Tonga)
Born and raised in the U.S., Lavinia would question her culture and what it means to be a second-generation immigrant. She clashed with the feeling that she was too Tongan for America and too American for Tonga.
Her family holds on tight to their Tongan culture and ties, which meant growing up she was taught that women have a box to fit in. Limited by her mother’s constraints on the ideal female role led Lavinia to question her identity as well as question who and what she was supposed to be. Not only did she struggle with figuring out her identity, but she also experienced racism from her peers leading her to become an advocate for people of color.
After multiple life setbacks, she decided to pursue higher education, and it would lead to prestigious opportunities showing that women can achieve things that were seen as unconventional in the eyes of her parents.
Lavinia’s episode is filled with empowerment, interconnection, and disparities that are navigated through a collective and beautiful culture.