Undocumented and Unafraid, Sorta

Brian De Los Santos
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Society & Culture
  • Updated Weekly

Am I undocumented? Sorta. Am I unafraid? That's complicated. Hey! I'm Brian De Los Santos, a queer gay dude living in L.A. (with DACA) trying to make the best of the moment. I'm also an award-winning journalist, and I used to host a podcast about issues, culture and communities that make up Los Angeles. On my feed you will hear perspectives, news, resources and chats with other people with stories of resilience. And some hot takes that I call them my POV. Find me on socials: @bdelossantos1

Episodes

  1. You CAN Run a Business (Undocumented) Without Risking Your Identity | Ep 114

    12/03/2025

    You CAN Run a Business (Undocumented) Without Risking Your Identity | Ep 114

    In this episode, Juan Maya Hernandez breaks down eight powerful strategies undocumented entrepreneurs can use to protect their identities while starting and growing their businesses. From legal business structures to online privacy tools, Juan shares personal tips, real-life examples, and practical tools to help you stay safe while building something powerful. 🔑 In this episode you’ll learn: How to use EINs, DBAs, and LLCs to protect your personal information Tips for setting up virtual addresses, business emails, and secondary phone numbers Why registered agents and co-ops can shield your identity while running your business 📣 Whether you’re a student with an idea, or an ally who wants to see undocumented students win — this episode is for you. 📆 Learn how to bring UndocuStartup™ to your campus: www.undocustartup.com 🌍 Quick Tour Mention:This year, UndocuStartup™ Tour is stopping in CA, NY, TX, FL, IL, and NJ.⚡ Learn more: www.undocustartup.com/tour 🚀 12 Ways to Connect With Me: Newsletter → https://shorturl.at/mpzLO Programs & Speaking → https://www.undocustartup.com TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@jmayahern Business IG → https://instagram.com/undocustartup/ Personal IG → https://instagram.com/jmayahe/ LinkedIn → https://linkedin.com/in/juanmayahernandez/ LinkedIn Newsletter → https://linkedin.com/newsletters/7011183488515129344/ Reddit → https://reddit.com/r/Undocumentedstudents/ Threads → https://www.threads.net/@jmayahern Email → jmayahern@undocustartup.com Website → https://www.jmayahern.com Full podcast archive → https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/juan-maya-hernandez 🎤 Hosted by Juan Maya Hernandez, founder of UndocuStartup™ — the leading entrepreneurship program for undocumented students. 🧠 Be motivated. Stay motivated.

  2. 12/03/2025

    3 business steps to know if you're undocumented w/ Juan Maya Hernandez

    Hey, besties! So this year I had a lapse in my DACA work permit — it was one of the scariest moments in recent times. I was also unemployed. All the things were happening, but more on that later. I was trying to draw inspiration and resilience and I found Juan Maya Hernandez's podcast. He's a DACA recipient from Mexico and is a fellow Angeleno. But Juan didn't always have DACA as an adult and he had to figure out how to navigate working without papers. I hit him to ask advice about what do to when you have a lapse in work permits or totally without papers. (NOTE: Juan and I are not immigration or labor lawyers; please consider expert opinions for major decisions.) Production and editing: Brian De Los Santos Guest: Juan Maya Hernandez Music: Dexter Thomas

  3. How To Leave The Country On DACA

    11/21/2025

    How To Leave The Country On DACA

    #73: California is home to around 2 million undocumented people. And in Southern California, roughly 80,000 of them have DACA, Deferred Action Childhood Arrival (although some stats put that number higher). It allows people to get a work permit, to pay in-state tuition, and to get a drivers license. But there are a lot of freedoms it doesn't grant, like freely traveling outside the US. HTLA host Brian De Los Santos has had DACA for about a decade. He recently got approved to do something big: he's going to Mexico for the first time since he was 2 years old, through a process called advance parole. It's a travel permit that allows DACA recipients to leave the country and come back. However, the permit is issued with a very specific time window, and is only given for certain travel reasons.  And the big one: it doesn’t guarantee admission back into the country. But despite the stress, Brian's taking the opportunity to go Mexico and see family he hasn't seen since he was a toddler. Today on How To LA, Brian's bringing in a couple of his friends and fellow DACA recipients to talk about all of his hopes and fears for the trip, and what it's like to live with DACA in the U.S., which is very much like living in limbo every day. We've got more of Brian's story over on LAist.com, so be sure to check that out:  As A DACA Beneficiary, I’ve Been Waiting For This Trip To Mexico All My Life If you have DACA and want to apply for advance parole, it's very important that you with an immigration attorney. These organizations can help get you started: CALIFORNIA MEXICO CENTER https://www.california-mexicocenter.org/cmdsummer2023/ CARECEN LA https://www.carecen-la.org/can_i_apply_for_advance_parole?locale=en Guests: Chris Farias, LAist social media producer;  José Alonso Munoz, deputy communications manager for United We Dream, an immigrant youth-led support network Music Credits This Week:Chris Schlarb, The Mod Archive, Quetzal, Naran Ratan, Natalia Lafourcade, Austin Cross, Old Saw, & Anthony Barilla

  4. 11/21/2025

    What's up with the title, "Undocumented and Unafraid, Sorta"??!

    Hey friend, thanks for joining me on my feed. So, the title... "Undocumented and unafraid" didn't come outta nowhere. It has resonated with me in different moments of my life — the latest was earlier this year when ICE began disappearing dozens of immigrants (and detaining some U.S. citizens). Shout out to the immigrant youth movement of the 2010s that shook things up and gave us some relief for undocumented people with programs like DACA. Production and editing: Brian De Los Santos Music: @dexdigi Additional sounds: @2012CADwalk (YouTube)

  5. 11/14/2025

    Welcome to my Superfeed!

    Hey bestie! B is back. I couldn't stay away too long, I had to get back on your feed. This isn't necessarily a show or a podcast — l'd like to describe it as a weekly hangout. You'll hear my interviews with folks with stories of resilience, a feature story about the Latino vote or a cute chat about the next fun party in queer nightlife, all in this feed. Superfeed: curate, comment and connect — all in one feed.

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Am I undocumented? Sorta. Am I unafraid? That's complicated. Hey! I'm Brian De Los Santos, a queer gay dude living in L.A. (with DACA) trying to make the best of the moment. I'm also an award-winning journalist, and I used to host a podcast about issues, culture and communities that make up Los Angeles. On my feed you will hear perspectives, news, resources and chats with other people with stories of resilience. And some hot takes that I call them my POV. Find me on socials: @bdelossantos1

Information

  • Creator
    Brian De Los Santos
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    5
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Los Angeles