Flor Unmuted

In this episode of Flor Unmuted, immigration attorney Raj Singh breaks down what immigration enforcement actually looks like under the Trump administration in 2025 — from ICE street pickups in Bakersfield to people being quietly transferred to detention centers in Texas and Louisiana.

We talk about disappearing due process, fired immigration judges, blocked bond hearings, and why attorneys are suddenly limited in how they can represent their clients. Raj explains how people detained in California end up in the Fifth Circuit, where the laws are harsher and the chances of winning a case drop dramatically.

We also br...

Summary

In this conversation, Flor Olvera discusses the political landscape in rural California, particularly in Kern County, and the challenges faced by the Democratic Party. She emphasizes the importance of unity, voter engagement, and building trust with constituents. The discussion also touches on the impact of Prop 50, gerrymandering, and the role of unions in supporting Democratic candidates. Olvera advocates for grassroots efforts, canvassing, and connecting with voters on a personal level to ensure that their needs are met and voices heard.

Takeaways

The political landscape in rural California is often overlooked.<...

In this episode of Flor Unmuted, Bakersfield City Councilmember and State Assembly candidate Andrae Gonzales opens up about the journey that shaped him—from growing up on the Bakersfield College campus where his father dedicated his life to helping first-generation students, to navigating the emotional toll and responsibility of public service.

We talk about faith, burnout, criticism, and the importance of keeping humanity at the center of leadership. Andrae also shares why he still believes in community, collaboration, and hope—despite the noise of politics.

“God will ask, what did you do with the tools you we...

In this episode of Flor Unmuted, I sit down with Randy Villegas, educator, school board trustee, and congressional candidate for California’s 22nd District, to discuss what real representation looks like for working-class and immigrant communities in the Central Valley.

We dive into his personal journey from growing up in a family that relied on public assistance like Medicaid, to becoming the first-generation PhD, to running for Congress to challenge cuts to essential services. We also unpack how districts like CA-22 are shaped by funding, voter suppression, and how local people can reclaim power.

Whether yo...

In this powerful follow-up episode, Flor Olvera continues the deep dive into California’s Prop 50 this time featuring longtime voting rights advocate Carter Beardsley and a heartfelt conversation with community mentor Cathee Romley. Together, they unpack what’s really at stake: not just a proposition, but the future of Congress and democratic representation itself.

We tackle GOP misinformation, political fatigue, and why Prop 50 is a direct response to voter suppression and radical redistricting efforts across the country. Whether you're confused, skeptical, or just tired of politics, this episode breaks down what you need to know before you vote...

In this first part of our Flor Unmuted Prop 50 mini series, we break down the facts, the fear tactics, and the future of democracy in California.

Ballots are landing this week and Prop 50 has become the center of a high stakes battle over gerrymandering, congressional maps, and representation. We cut through the noise and bring you voices from the ground

Guest: Rebecca Sayed Grassroots organizer with national experience mobilizing voters on redistricting, voting rights, and election defense

Guest: Paul Reed Retired Teamster, local delegate, and political activist from Kern County

In...

The TRUTH Act forum is Kern County’s once-a-year public reckoning on how the Sheriff’s Office interacts with ICE. On paper, it’s about transparency. In reality, it’s where official talking points and community truth often collide. In this episode of Flor Unmuted, attorney Oliver Ma from the ACLU of Southern California joins me to break down what the TRUTH Act really does, why Kern’s political climate shapes law enforcement culture, and what past forums reveal about the gap between reported numbers and what’s actually happening. We’ll talk about the role of the Board of Supervisors...

When systemic racism, ICE raids, and political violence hit home, the damage isn’t just political it’s deeply personal.

In this episode of Flor Unmuted, therapist Ramon Sanchez, MSW joins Flor Olvera for a raw, urgent conversation about protecting your mental health in the face of fear, injustice, and economic uncertainty.

We talk about what happens to children whose parents are detained, how to care for youth living under constant threat, and why our collective numbness to tragedies — from Gaza to our own neighborhoods — is so dangerous.

Whether you’re a guardian navigating...

In this urgent and compassionate episode of Flor Unmuted, Flor sits down with renowned criminal defense attorney H.A. Sala to talk directly to undocumented immigrants and mixed-status families who are living in fear.

What do you do if you're arrested and can’t reach a lawyer? What if you’re pulled over for something small—like driving without a license—but end up in immigration custody? How can families prepare now, before the worst happens?

If you or someone you love is afraid to leave the house, answer the door, or speak up—this episode is...

In this episode of Flor Unmuted, immigration attorney Oliver Ma joins Flor to break down the hidden costs of immigrant detention and how ICE continues to drain local communities like Kern County of already scarce public resources.

From taxpayer funding of private detention centers to the role of internalized racism in sustaining immigrant criminalization, this conversation goes beyond headlines and into the systems that quietly shape fear and compliance.

Flor and Oliver also dig into the CA-22 Congressional race, what’s at stake in 2024, and how federal immigration enforcement continues to impact the Central Valley.

In this episode of Flor Unmuted, immigration attorney Inderraj Singh joins the mic to break down what’s really happening with recent ICE raids in Kern County—and why the silence from local officials should alarm all of us.

We discuss how these raids are affecting immigrant families, the legal myths surrounding ICE enforcement, and the specific questions you can and should be asking your city councilmembers, sheriffs, and county supervisors.

Whether you're directly impacted or standing in solidarity, this episode gives you the context, tools, and next steps to hold local power accountable.

To...

Welcome to Flor Unmuted, a bilingual podcast about politics, culture, and community with zero filters and no performative theater. Hosted by a Latina voice built for real talk, not safe takes. In this quick intro, you'll hear what Flor Unmuted is all about and why this podcast is different. If you'r'e tired of the noise, the silence, or the spin- you're in the right place.

Topics you'll hear on the pod:

Latinx political power

Local elections + national policy breakdowns

Cultura, identity, and unlearning

Hard conversations we're told...