Major changes could affect how immigrants prepare for green card applications and interviews. Kathleen breaks down the renewed focus on the public charge standard, why embassy interviews have been canceled or delayed, and the factors immigration officials may consider when determining whether an applicant could become financially dependent on the government.

She walks through the issues applicants should be preparing for, including health, age, education, employment, household size, income and the financial situation of the person sponsoring them. Kathleen also discusses increased scrutiny of sponsors, including credit, tax history, the Affidavit of Support and when a co-sponsor may be necessary.

Most importantly, Kathleen explains why applicants should not prepare for their next green card interview the same way they would have just a few months ago, and what they can start doing now to put together the strongest case possible.

https://www.uscis.gov/i-864p

Kathleen and Alejandro tackle one of those subjects you're supposedly not supposed to bring up at the dinner table: religion. After seeing a Texas hearing involving James Talarico and the debate over Christianity in public schools, they discuss why they believe faith should remain separate from government and public education in a country made up of many different religions and beliefs.

The conversation expands into the relationship between Christianity and the far right, Trump's appeal to religious voters, megachurches and wealth, and the difference between practicing faith and using religion to justify political beliefs. Kathleen and Alejandro also get personal about their own relationships with religion, how they want to teach their children about God, and why questioning your beliefs can be healthy.

They close by looking beyond religion at America's larger political divide, cancel culture, compromise, and whether people with different beliefs can learn to disagree without treating one another as enemies.

Kathleen sits down with attorney and entrepreneur Leah Wise (@crashgal) for a wide-ranging conversation about building a career without fitting the traditional lawyer mold. Leah talks about starting her own firm almost immediately after law school, crying outside courthouses when she had no idea what she was doing, turning a former strip club into her law office, and building a bold, feminine brand in an industry that often expects women to play small. They also get into immigration and DACA, sexism in the legal profession, marriage and financial independence, prenups, multiple streams of income, supporting minority women in law, raising kids, cultural expectations, and the slightly delusional self-belief that helped Leah build the life she wanted.

Kathleen sits down with Karen Tumlin from the Justice Action Center to break down the growing DACA renewal delays and the legal fight happening behind the scenes. Karen explains why some recipients are now waiting six months or longer for renewals, how those delays can cost people their jobs and create future immigration problems, and why her organization filed a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit to get answers from the government. They also discuss the larger legal battle over DACA, when individual mandamus lawsuits may help, the risks of bringing a massive class-action case, and what recipients can do right now if their renewal is stuck. The conversation also goes deeper into immigration history, SB 1070, the Muslim ban, birthright citizenship, misinformation, and why public opinion can matter just as much as what happens inside a courtroom.

Kathleen sits down with lawyer and news creator Aaron Parnas to talk about how he went from practicing law to covering breaking news full time. Aaron shares how reporting on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine launched his social media career, what happened when his first account was mass reported and banned, and why he eventually left law to become his own boss. They also get into online hate, Trump voters, immigration, the 2028 election, becoming a new dad, and Aaron’s controversial take on work-life balance. Plus, Aaron breaks down what a normal day looks like when you’re posting news constantly, sometimes even stopping in the middle of a marathon training run to cover a breaking story.

Kathleen sits down with comedian and immigration advocate Che Guerrero to talk about how humor became his way of educating people about the immigrant experience. Che shares his journey from creating TikToks in nursing home bathrooms during the pandemic to building a platform that combines comedy, immigration news, and activism.

They discuss why the current political climate has made immigration increasingly difficult to joke about, how being undocumented affected everything from Che’s comedy career to dating and relationships, and why misinformation and outrage dominate social media. Che also breaks down the history behind immigration reform and explains why he believes personal connection can be one of the most powerful tools for changing how people think about immigrants.

@cheguerreroeng

A new Board of Immigration Appeals decision could have major consequences for some DACA recipients considering Advance Parole. In this episode of Pink Politics, immigration attorney Kathleen Martinez breaks down the Del Carmen decision, how unlawful presence can trigger three- or ten-year bars, and why your individual immigration history matters before leaving the United States. Kathleen also explains how to check for prior removal orders, what the ruling could mean for VAWA, TPS, and asylum applicants, and when consular processing may be a safer path toward a green card. The biggest takeaway: before traveling, know your history and talk to an immigration attorney about your specific case.

Kathleen Martinez breaks down the latest DACA developments, from the ongoing Texas lawsuit and potential changes to work permits to Advance Parole and major renewal delays. She explains why DACA remains a fragile form of protection, when recipients should explore a green card or other immigration options, and what people with delayed renewals can do to push their cases forward. Kathleen also explains why she believes a large class-action lawsuit could put DACA at even greater risk and walks through options including USCIS inquiries, expedite requests, demand letters, and lawsuits for unreasonable delays.

RESOURCES: TIKTOK GUIDE: https://docs.superhuman.com/@notyouravgpotato/how-to-file-a-writ-of-mandamus-for-a-delayed-daca-renewal-2026/wom-start-here-1-1 TIKTOK GUIDE CREATOR: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8ngdPy4/ MY GUIDE: https://rebrand.ly/DACAWOM