“I am a political prisoner,” Jeanette Vizguerra said in an exclusive interview from inside a detention facility. She’s been a symbol of resistance for the immigrants rights movement since 2017 when she was recognized as one of Time’s 100 most influential people, after seeking sanctuary in a church to avoid deportation.

She remained an outspoken activist and in March 2025 she was detained by ICE.

In this episode we also hear from others who took sanctuary years ago, but unlike Jeanette, want to remain in the shadows fearing retaliation. What is sanctuary now that churches are no longer protected?

Latino USA is the longest-running news and culture radio program in the U.S., centering Latino stories and hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Maria Hinojosa. 

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“I am a political prisoner,” Jeanette Vizguerra said in an exclusive interview from inside a detention facility. She’s been a symbol of resistance for the immigrants rights movement since 2017 when she was recognized as one of Time’s 100 most influential people, after seeking sanctuary in a church to avoid deportation.She remained an outspoken activist and in March 2025 she was detained by ICE.In this episode we also hear from others who took sanctuary years ago, but unlike Jeanette, want to remain in the shadows fearing retaliation. What is sanctuary now that churches are no longer protected?Latino USA is the longest-running news and culture radio program in the U.S., centering Latino stories and hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Maria Hinojosa. Follow the show to get every episode. Follow us on <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@futuromedia">TikTok</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@LatinoUSA">YouTube</a>. Subscribe to our <a href="https://www.futuromediagroup.org/subscribe/">newsletter</a>.

Latino USA is the longest-running news and culture radio program in the U.S. centering Latino stories, hosted by Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Maria Hinojosa  Every week, the Peabody winning team brings you revealing, in-depth stories about what’s in the hearts and minds of Latinos and their impact on the world.

Want to support our independent journalism? Join Futuro+ for exclusive episodes, sneak peaks and behind-the-scenes chisme on Latino USA and all our podcasts. www.futuromediagroup.org/joinplus

Latino USA is the longest-running news and culture radio program in the U.S. centering Latino stories, hosted by Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Maria Hinojosa&nbsp; Every week, the Peabody winning team brings you revealing, in-depth stories about what&rsquo;s in the hearts and minds of Latinos and their impact on the world.
Want to support our independent journalism? Join Futuro+ for exclusive episodes, sneak peaks and behind-the-scenes chisme on Latino USA and all our podcasts. www.futuromediagroup.org/joinplus

Latino USA offers insight into the lived experiences of Latino communities and is a window on the current and merging cultural, political and social ideas impacting Latinos and the nation.

Latino USA

Latino USA is the longest-running news and culture radio program in the U.S. centering Latino stories, hosted by Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Maria Hinojosa  Every week, the Peabody winning team brings you revealing, in-depth stories about what’s in the hearts and minds of Latinos and their impact on the world.  


Want to support our independent journalism? Join Futuro+ for exclusive episodes, sneak peaks and behind-the-scenes chisme on Latino USA and all our podcasts. www.futuromediagroup.org/joinplus

Renowned immigrant rights activist Jeanette Vizguerra —once named to the TIME 100— has been detained by ICE. In an exclusive interview from a detention center, she talks to us about the sanctuary movement, her activism, and why she considers herself a political prisoner.

'I'm a Political Prisoner': From Church Sanctuaries to ICE Detention

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/ede4f846-3bba-4a76-a948-b2e8006df219/transcript