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Behind-the-Scenes at NPR/WAMU’s “1A” show

Portrait of Krish O’Mara Vignarajah

Krish O’Mara Vignarajah

September 4, 2025

I wanted to share a special behind-the-scenes look at my recent appearance on NPR/WAMU’s 1A, where I had the opportunity to discuss U.S. immigration policy at a moment of profound change.

Preparing for a national interview like this is no small task. It requires hours of research, anticipating tough questions, and honing talking points so that, no matter how the conversation unfolds, the facts and values come through clearly.

This particular interview was about the erosion of legal immigration pathways and protections. It’s a vast and complex subject, but I wanted listeners to walk away with three key takeaways:

  1. An unprecedented dismantling — The U.S. has seen an extraordinary rollback of legal immigration pathways, coupled with the mass “de-documentation” of people who were living here lawfully.

  2. A devastating human toll — These changes are not abstract policies; they profoundly impact children and families who depend on them for safety and stability.

  3. U.S. communities lose too — When legal pathways are shut down, it isn’t only newcomers who suffer. American towns and cities lose out on the economic, cultural, and civic contributions that refugees and immigrants bring as neighbors, co-workers, and community members.

I hope you’ll take a few minutes to listen to the full conversation and share it with others. The more people who understand what’s at stake, the stronger our collective voice becomes in defending America’s legacy of welcome.

And finally, thank you. None of this work — whether it’s advocating on the airwaves, standing with families in crisis, or supporting communities across the country — would be possible without you. Your partnership is what makes Global Refuge’s mission real.

Global Refuge on NPR/WAMU's "1A"

A timely conversation on the erosion of legal humanitarian pathways and protections in the U.S.

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