Criminalization of Immigration: The Power of Grassroots Organizing and Storytelling

In Episode 20 of Art of Citizenry Podcast, Manpreet Kaur Kalra is joined by immigrant community organizer Maru Mora-Villalpando, Founder of La Resistencia, and international human rights lawyer Alejandra Gonza, Executive Director of Global Rights Advocacy. Together, they expose the brutal realities of immigration detention—from systemic neglect and punishment to the resilience of those organizing from within its walls. Maru shares how La Resistencia mobilizes communities to challenge deportations and support detainee-led organizing at Northwest Detention Center. Working in direct collaboration, Alejandra sheds light on the intersection of international human rights law and grassroots advocacy, emphasizing the role of storytelling in holding systems accountable. Through the Melting Ice Project, they document the lived experiences of detained migrants, ensuring their stories shape the fight for justice. This episode is a call to action: migrants in detention are not passive victims—they are organizing, resisting, and demanding change. Join us as we explore the power of community-led movements, storytelling as an advocacy tool, and the role of international human rights mechanisms.