This week, Rai was joined by Vicki Gaubeca. Vicki is the Associate Director, US Immigration and Border Policy at Human Rights Watch. The two discuss the history of US Immigration policies, the current political realm centred around the US-Mexican border, US detention centres and its role at the border, the migrant crisis, and so much more.

As a result of climate change and increased armed conflict globally, the US-Mexico border has seen a surge of refugees from countries outside of the Americas, such as Cameroon and Syria, seeking asylum at the US-Mexico border.

Compounded by stringent immigration policies, and the militarization of the US-Mexico border, the number of deaths and bodies discovered in the Mexican border lands reached a record 850 in 2023.

Listen to this episode to learn more about the crisis, and how you can #HelpFromHome

If you want to keep up with Vicki Gaubeca:

LinkedIn: Vicki Gaubeca

Twitter: @vgaubeca

Global Rights Defenders is a non-profit dedicated to advocating alongside marginalized, displaced and vulnerable populations. Through podcast interviews, youtube videos, and articles GRD aims to shed light on human rights issues worldwide.

Follow us:

Website - www.GlobalRightsDefenders.org

Email: Info@globalrightsdefenders.org

LinkedIn: Global Rights Defenders

Twitter: @GRD_Now

This week, Rai was joined by Nedal Izdden. Nedal is the co-founder of the Syria Civil Defense, otherwise known as the White Helmets. The White Helmets is a volunteer organization that operates in parts of opposition-controlled Syria and Turkey, and is the now the largest civil society organization in the Middle East. The White Helmets undertake tasks related to medical evacuation, urban search and rescue, and providing essential services, and have saved over 125,000 lives.

Nedal is the recipient of several humanitarian awards including the Tippery International Peace Award.

Nedal and Rai discuss the formation of the White Helmets, his reflections of the ongoing affairs in Syria, and Nedal shares his experiences as a newcomer in Canada. Today, Nedal has continued his advocacy efforts as a research assistant at the University of Victoria, focusing on men's mental health and labour employment for newcomers to Canada.

Nedal's story is remarkable, and we were honoured to have hosted a true hero and advocate.

If you want to keep up with Nedal:

LinkedIn: Nedal Izdden

Twitter: @NIzdden

Email: Nedalizdden@gmail.com

In this week's episode, Rai Friedman is joined by Eric Reidy. Eric is the Migration & Special Coverage Editor for The New Humanitarian. He has reported extensively on migration in the Mediterranean as well as on humanitarian aid work and anti-migrant vigilante groups at the US-Mexico border and the effort to document crimes and atrocities in Syria’s civil war.

The two discussed European migration policies, the dangers of crossing the Mediterranean Sea en route to safety, the double standard for refugee humane reception, and the future of refugee policy worldwide.

If you want to keep up with Eric Reidy:

Linkedin: Eric Reidy

Twitter: @Eric_Reidy

Email: eric@thenewhumanitarian.com

Global Rights Defenders is a non-profit organization that advocates for refugee and human rights worldwide. Through podcast interviews, youtube videos, articles, and international projects, GRD aims to shed light on human rights issues.

Follow us

Website - www.globalrightsdefenders.org

Email - info@globalrightsdefenders.org

Twitter - @GRD_Now

LinkedIn - Global Rights Defenders

Instagram - Global Rights Defenders

Facebook - Global Rights Defenders