Port of Entry

08/18/2026

See you this Saturday at the San Diego Book Festival ✌🏼

07/15/2026

In this episode, the Port of Entry team sits down with Tijuana native Jorge Meraz, host of the PBS travel show “Crossing South.”

For more than a decade, Jorge has been documenting a different side of the border region — one often overlooked by headlines.

He shares what it was like growing up in Tijuana, and how, over time, cross-border life shaped his perspective and inspired him to showcase the vibrant colors of Baja California through his lens.

He’s taken viewers beyond the usual narratives of fear, highlighting the rich traditions and incredible food that define the region, and inviting audiences to see that crossing south isn’t something to fear, but an opportunity to experience a dynamic cultural and gastronomic landscape.

Together, we unpack how media coverage influences perceptions of safety, why fear of crossing into Mexico persists and what people actually experience when they visit.

From tacos and tourism to identity and community, this conversation offers a fuller picture of life along the U.S.-Mexico border — and what becomes possible when curiosity replaces fear.

The Port of Entry team sits down with Tijuana native Jorge Meraz, host of “Crossing South,” to unpack the fear, headlines and misconceptions that shape how many people in the U.S. see the border — and what the reality is actually like.

07/09/2026

In today’s episode, the Port of Entry team follows the journey of how California Assembly Bill 91 came to fruition. We explore the importance of the law and the challenges it now faces.

We meet with influential community members who pushed this bill and impacted regional education: Mitzi Salgado, educator and founder of the Transfronterizo Institute; California Assemblymember David Alvarez, represents the 80th District; and Joel Pilco, director of binational and international programs at Southwestern College.

This episode highlights how these leaders came together to put forward the bill, mobilized community support and the exchange Alvarez had with California Gov. Gavin Newsom to secure its passage.

AB 91 offers new opportunities for the transborder community, creating a pathway to more affordable education for those living south of the border.

However, with this hope comes a set of challenges

The Port of Entry team takes a deep dive into what it took to pass California Assembly Bill 91 and what it means for U.S. students living south of the border.

07/02/2026

In the latest episode of Port of Entry, we spoke with a new friend of the show, NPR immigration correspondent, Alt Latino co-founder, and creator of the hugely successful podcast The Last Cup, Jasmine Garsd. Jasmine offers fresh insights into the many dimensions of soccer beyond the game itself.

Visit kpbs.org/portofentry or listen wherever you get your podcasts

📸 Associated Press
Illustrations from María Jesús Contreras

07/02/2026

Hola, friends!

In this episode of Port of Entry, our team traces the origins of a groundbreaking U.S. university graduation ceremony held in Mexico — an initiative that has left a lasting legacy in the California-Baja California border region.

For the first time in U.S. history, the Building Bridges graduation ceremony, organized by San Diego State University’s Imperial Valley satellite campus, brought together families separated by immigration policies who otherwise couldn’t celebrate this milestone north of the border.

The episode explores the profound impact of the event by hearing directly from a family who experienced it together. We also meet the organizers who made it possible, including Dr. Vannessa Falcón Orta, an old friend of Port of Entry whose idea helped spark the movement. Since then, similar ceremonies have spread to other institutions across the region.

You won’t want to miss this heartwarming episode!

The Port of Entry team traces the origins and impact of a unique U.S.-based graduation ceremony held in Mexico. This event was created to reunite families separated by immigration policies and give them the chance to celebrate together.

06/26/2026

Port of Entry producer Julio is a passionate fútbol fan (soccer for Americans), and he’s on a mission to convince Alan and Nat why they should care about this tournament by showing them what makes it so special.

First, we talk to Luis Daniel Rodriguez, a former sports podcast host and devout World Cup enthusiast, as he prepares to leave for this year’s tournament.

Then Julio takes the team to visit some old friends: Exxe Caivano, chef of Alta Parrilla, and Moumen Nouri, chef of Kous Kous del Valle. These close friends, both renowned chefs, are also die-hard fútbol and World Cup fans. Together, they share fond memories, swap stories of special moments, and engage in spirited trash talk.

Julio also invites a new friend of the show, NPR immigration correspondent, Alt Latino co-founder and creator of the hugely successful podcast The Last Cup, Jasmine Garsd. Jasmine offers fresh insights into the many dimensions of soccer beyond the game itself.

Finally, the team gets the chance to experience a match together — a perfect way to wrap up their fútbol journey.

Don't miss this exciting episode!

📷 Associated Press, Natalie González, Julio C. Ortíz Franco

01/07/2026

Do you have questions or concerns about the immigration policies enacted during Trump's first year back in office? Let us know what you'd like us to address.

Leave your questions in this post or send us a DM!

11/18/2025

Que onda friends!

Tenemos un par de reportajes especiales que se centran en los actuales desafíos que enfrenta la región fronteriza: La migración.

La migración es un tema contencioso y polarizante que a menudo los comentaristas políticos utilizan para golpetear a sus oponentes, pasando por alto las historias de las personas atrapadas en medio de este debate.

Estas historias de esperanza y resiliencia nos recuerdan la importancia de ver más allá de la nota: reconocerlos como seres humanos. Seres humanos con sueños y aspiraciones al igual que cualquiera.

En esta segunda y última edición de nuestros reportajes especiales, conversamos con una exiliada venezolana a la que llamaremos Chama. Su nombre real no es Chama; aceptó ser entrevistada bajo la condición de mantener su identidad en el anonimato, ya que carece de estatus legal y teme ser deportada.

Chama ingresó legalmente a Estados Unidos en el 2022, siguiendo las políticas establecidas por la administración del entonces presidente Joe Biden. Chama fue una de los cientos de miles de migrantes que perdieron su estatus legal debido a una orden ejecutiva del ahora presidente Donald Trump. Como resultado, vive actualmente en las sombras, indocumentada.

Este primer episodio explora el primer capítulo de la travesía migratoria de Chama: la odisea para salir de Venezuela y establecerse en Tijuana, y su determinación por reunir a su familia en California.

La segunda parte adentra en su camino hacia Estados Unidos, el esfuerzo sobrehumano por hacerlo de manera legal y cómo, a pesar de todos sus intentos, el sistema finalmente le falló.

No se pierdan esta increíble historia de perseverancia.

En el episodio de hoy conversamos con Chama, una exiliada venezolana que llegó a EE.UU. via Tijuana. Chama comparte la odisea que fue salir de Venezuela y establecerse en Tijuana mientras buscaba una manera para reunir a su familia con su esposo en California.

11/14/2025

Que onda friends! 🎧

En los siguientes episodios contaremos con un par de reportajes especiales que se centran en los actuales desafíos migratorios en la región fronteriza.

La migración es un tema contencioso y polarizante que a menudo los comentaristas políticos utilizan para golpetear a sus oponentes, pasando por alto las historias de las personas atrapadas en medio de este debate.

Estas historias de esperanza y resiliencia nos recuerdan la importancia de ver más allá de la nota: reconociéndolos como seres humanos. Seres humanos con sueños y aspiraciones al igual que cualquiera.

En nuestro reportaje de hoy acompañamos a Laura Pabón, personal en uno de los albergues más concurridos de Tijuana, Casa del Migrante.

Laura relata su camino hacia Tijuana, destacando los momentos que la inspiraron a brindar ayuda a los migrantes y explicando cómo asiste a los recién llegados en su búsqueda de un nuevo hogar. Además, exploramos el impacto significativo que Laura ha tenido en el albergue, tanto en situaciones diarias como durante crisis, como cuando se cerró la aplicación CBP One.

¡No te lo pierdas!

En el episodio de hoy seguimos a Laura Pavón, una integrante del equipo en uno de los albergues más activos de Tijuana, la Casa del Migrante. Laura comparte su trayectoria hacia Tijuana y habla sobre los momentos decisivos que la motivaron a querer ayudar a los migrantes a encontrar un nuevo hogar...

11/12/2025

Hello, friends! 🎧

In the second part of this final installment of our special reports, we sit down with a Venezuelan exile whom we are referring to as Chama. Chama entered the United States legally in 2022, following policies set by President Joe Biden's administration.

Chama is not her real name. She agreed to be interviewed on the condition that Port of Entry not reveal her identity because she lacks legal status and fears deportation from the U.S.

The first chapter of Chama's migrant journey covers her odyssey out of Venezuela and her determination to reunite with her family via Tijuana.

In this second part, we explore her path into the United States, her Herculean effort to do it legally, and how, despite all her efforts, the system ultimately failed her.

Chama became one of hundreds of thousands of migrants who lost their legal status due to an executive order by President Donald Trump. As a result, she now lives in the shadows, undocumented — illegal by decree.

You won't want to miss this incredible story of persistence and resoluteness.

We conclude our time with Chama, a Venezuelan exile who made her way to the United States via Tijuana. She shares her Herculean effort to enter the U.S. legally and, despite all her efforts, how the system ultimately failed her.