Episode Details

Adam Peña is an Immigration Attorney at La Maestra Community Health Centers, where he represents undocumented immigrants and detainees. At 25 years old, he was the youngest mayoral campaign manager for the 19th largest city in America. In April 2025, Adam made national headlines after the Department of Homeland Security mistakenly sent him a self-deportation notice.

In this episode…

Immigration enforcement has taken an aggressive turn, leaving many Latino communities across the US feeling targeted and vulnerable. Amid increasing reports of raids and wrongful detentions, even US-born citizens are finding themselves caught in bureaucratic crossfire. What protections exist for those facing threats from systemic targeting and intimidation?

Having received a mistaken deportation notice from the Department of Homeland Security, immigration lawyer Adam Peña notes that even immigration advocates are not immune to threats. He emphasizes the importance of knowing your rights, carrying proper identification, and consulting an immigration attorney about potential relief options like U visas or asylum. Citizens and immigration professionals can also leverage resources such as the ICE Block app and red cards to stay informed and protected. 

In today's episode of The Lawtino™, John Gomez and Ariel Zarrin host Adam Peña, Immigration Attorney at La Maestra Community Health Centers, to discuss advocating for immigrants amid deportations and threats. Adam shares how storytelling shapes his work as an attorney, community activism strategies, and how to address systemic bias in immigration enforcement.