Ruth Wasson, a former immigration policy researcher, and Maria Cristina Garcia, a Cornell history professor, dive into the complexities of seeking asylum in the U.S. They highlight how historical crises shaped immigration policies, from Jewish refugees during the Holocaust to the Cuban and Haitian struggles during the Cold War. The discussion reveals the unequal treatment of asylum seekers and the urgent challenges they face in today's political climate, emphasizing the need for systemic reforms to uphold the nation’s promise of refuge.