The Al Franken Podcast 210: Molly O’Toole on Immigration
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Feb 9, 2025 Molly O'Toole, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author of the upcoming book "The Route," dives deep into the complexities of U.S. immigration policy. She discusses the harsh realities faced by hundreds of migrants, particularly from Venezuela, amidst recent policy shifts and the revocation of Temporary Protected Status. The conversation critiques Trump's immigration rhetoric versus actual deportation practices, revealing the systemic challenges and fears that hinder the asylum process. O'Toole's insights shed light on the human experience behind immigration statistics.
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Undocumented Immigrant Population
- The undocumented immigrant population in the U.S. is estimated around 11-13 million people.
- The foreign-born population is at its highest since the 1850s, about 14-15% of the total population.
Key Figures in Immigration Policy
- Al Franken asks about the officials in charge of immigration in the Trump administration.
- Molly O'Toole points out that while Tom Holman is the border czar, Stephen Miller holds significant power.
Venezuelan Immigrants in Unexpected Places
- Molly O'Toole discusses the dispersal of Venezuelan immigrants across the U.S., highlighting unexpected communities in Colorado and Utah.
- Many were drawn by religious congregations, illustrating how immigrant communities form in diverse locations.