This is hidden brain.
I'm Shankar Vedantam.
We were almost done working on this week's show when news broke Thursday evening, news that required an on air warning.
Before our colleagues could even discuss it.
An Oval Office conversation turns vulgar, and.
I want to acknowledge what I'm about to say could offend some people.
He asked why the United States would admit people from african nations, which he called shithole countries.
Trump then told lawmakers he would rather see more immigrants from Norway.
The vulgar comment I'm not a racist.
I am the least racist person you have ever interviewed.
In light of President Trump's comments, as well as ongoing debate over the program known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, we thought we'd switch gears and bring you this conversation from October 2016.
As a journalist, I think this conversation is timely.
As an immigrant myself, I think it's essential.
Our airwaves are filled with debates about migrants, refugees, and undocumented immigrants who should be in the United States, who shouldn't, and who should decide.
It's an issue that seems to get to the core of who we are, who we want to be, and where we're headed as a nation.
Today, we're going to take a fresh look at the issue by exploring what history can teach us about the patterns and paradoxes of immigration in a nation of immigrants.
My guest today is Maria Cristina Garcia.
She's a historian and professor of american studies at Cornell University.
Maria Cristina, welcome to hidden Brain.
Thank you.