Ep. 33 - What can I do about what’s happening?

On this episode of Vital Questions, we’re asking the question so many people are struggling with right now: what can I do about what’s happening?

Since our last episode, we’ve witnessed more devastating and undeniable examples of state violence — from children detained by ICE, to families torn apart, to people killed in the streets. These are not abstract policy debates. These are real lives, real harm, and real consequences.

In Episode 33, we break down what’s been happening — including the detention of 5-year-old Liam Ramos and his father, the separation of 2-year-old Chloe Renata Tipan Villacis from her dad, and the killing of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis — and talk honestly about the fear, anger, and helplessness many of us are feeling.

But this episode isn’t just about naming the harm. It’s about action.

We walk through real, accessible ways people can help — even if protesting isn’t an option for you. From calling your representatives, donating money or time, supporting immigrant defense organizations, learning your rights, documenting abuses, boycotting corporations that profit from ICE, voting locally, and using your own skills to support your community.

This episode is about community pressure, accountability, and joyful resistance — because authoritarianism depends on silence and isolation, and we refuse both.

⚠️ Disclaimer:

Although La-CoHost is a lawyer, everything shared in this episode (and ALL EPISODES for that matter unless otherwise stated) is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Please do your own research and consult a qualified attorney for legal questions.

Resources & Notes

Minnesota-Specific Support

• Stand With Minnesota
• https://standwithminnesota.com

Know Your Rights / Legal & Protest Support

• American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
• https://www.aclu.org
• Immigrant Legal Resource Center
• https://www.ilrc.org

Immigrant Legal Defense & Advocacy

• Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA)
• https://www.chirla.org
• Florida Immigrant Coalition (FLIC)
• https://floridaimmigrant.org
• The Legal Aid Society (NY)
• https://legalaidnyc.org
• Pennsylvania Immigration Coalition (PIC)
• https://www.paimmigrant.org
• RAICES (Texas)
• https://www.raicestexas.org

Children’s Advocacy

• Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights
• https://www.theyoungcenter.org

Civic Action Tools

• 5 Calls
• https://5calls.org
• Ballotpedia
• https://ballotpedia.org

Democracy & Policy Reform

• End Citizens United
• https://endcitizensunited.org

Case Tracker App:

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/case-tracker-for-uscis-nvc/id921827126

#VitalQuestions #VitalQuestionsPodcast #WhatCanIDo #ImmigrantJustice #AbolishICE #ACLU #KnowYourRights #CommunityCare #JoyfulResistance #MutualAid #ResistFascism #IndependentJournalism