Borderlines: Personal stories behind America’s immigration debate (includes podcast)

To visit accompanying website, click here. To view the accompanying photo essay, click here. To watch the accompanying mini documentary, click here.

Borderlines is a podcast series which explores the many perspectives on immigration in the United States. Rather than focusing solely on policy or political headlines, the show centers on personal experiences, identity and the lived realities of individuals within different immigrant communities.

Each episode creates space for thoughtful dialogue, allowing guests to share how their backgrounds influence the way they view immigration today. Throughout the series, conversations highlight how immigration is not a one-dimensional issue. In cities like Miami, where diverse communities intersect daily, perspectives can vary widely, even among people who share similar cultural roots.

The podcast examines how generational differences, economic concerns, national identity and media narratives shape opinions in nuanced and sometimes unexpected ways.

Featuring guests such as Rachel Portillo and Gilad Shimonovitc, the series presents contrasting viewpoints in both a balanced and respectful manner. The goal is not to declare a single “correct” answer, but to unpack the complexity behind one of the most debated topics in American life.

Episode One: Rachel Portillo

Episode Two: Gilad Shimonovitc

Devin Dixon is a college sophomore majoring in Digital Communications and minoring in Digital Multimedia and Television Production. He has an interest in basketball, digital editing, and photography.

Ana Olivera Gonzalez is an FIU student studying digital media and multimedia production with a focus on storytelling and visual journalism. A Cuban creative, her work often highlights culture and community voices in Miami. She is passionate about bilingual reporting and producing human-centered stories that connect with diverse audiences. Ana also has a strong interest in creative direction, visual aesthetics, and digital storytelling across platforms.

Sebastian is an emerging digital media producer with professional experience in videography and editing. After graduation, he plans to pursue entry-level roles in digital and broadcast production, focusing on visual storytelling and culturally relevant content for network television.