Immigration and the Arts

Law is Downstream from Culture.

Raices lookS to the arts to SPARK Conversations around immigration, justice, and humanity in order to TOUCH hearts and minds, and ultimately IMPACT immigration policies and practices.

Creative Partnerships

Guerilla public art installation protesting the Trump Administration’s family separation policy goes viral Watch

RAICES podcast explores the unwritten history of DHS, a government agency that was created to protect us from terrorism only to be weaponized against immigrants Listen

Letting People Go

RAICES ambassador Carnage shares his personal immigration story Watch

This Is Personal: The Challenges of Intersectional Activism

Erika Andiola and Tamika D. Mallory discuss their experience in leading intersectional social movements Watch

Transcendients: Heroes at Borders

RAICES heroes are featured in artist Taiji Terasaki's exhibition at the Japanese American National Museum Watch

What’s That You Say

Seven-time Grammy nominee Joan Osborne addresses immigration on new song created in collaboration with RAICES Listen

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Staff Picks

Americanized: Rebel Without a Green Card

“explores the anxiety of 'belonging' in a country that claims to be a nation of immigrants yet makes it so hard to be one”

—Barbara Peña, AVP of Advocacy

The End of the Myth: From the Frontier to the Border Wall in the Mind of America

“explores how immigration laws have morphed the myth of the endless American frontier to a rallying cry for a border wall”

—Alma Sove, Development Copywriter

Immigration Nation

“The series highlights the human toll of a broken immigration policy, with no one being spared, not even our war veterans”

—Ulises Soler, Jr., Director of Corporate Relations

La Jaula de Oro

“presents migrants as full, complex characters through the eyes of three determined Guatemalan teens on a dystopian trip”

—Natasha Pizzey, Director of Video

The New American Gothic

“this painting makes a strong statement about the working immigrant and highlights the cost of the American Dream”

—Luz Varela, Legal Assistant; DOJ Accredited Rep

To Carry On: An Anthem of the American Immigrant Experience

“this song is a beautiful tribute to 29,000+ DACA recipients working as frontline healthcare workers through the pandemic”

—Brendan Colthurst, Chief Technology Officer

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Curatorial Partners

THIS MONTH'S PARTNER: DEFINE AMERICAN

Creative Fellowship Spotlight: Danyeli Rodriguez Del Orbe

“Danyeli Rodriguez Del Orbe is a Dominican, Bronx-raised community organizer, writer, and spoken word performer. Her work raises awareness around issues of race, gender, and migration. She is also developing the visual component of her work through the Define American Immigrant Creative Fellowship.”
– Bethany Wearden, Creative Programs Manager

Learn More

Define American is a culture change organization that uses the power of narrative to humanize conversations about immigrants. Our advocacy within news, entertainment, and digital media is creating an America where everyone belongs. To learn more about the Define American Creative Fellowship and apply visit defineamerican.com/fellowship.

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