In this powerful episode of The Oliver Bardwell Podcast, I sit down with Jose Reyes, a Republican DACA recipient who has campaigned for Congressman Zach Nunn and worked to engage Latino voters in Iowa politics. Jose loves America, supports strong borders, and wants nothing more than the opportunity to become a U.S. citizen.
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After sharing the episode with Congressman Zach Nunn, he responded:
"You did a great job with the interview and honored Jose’s American story." – Congressman Zach Nunn
Jose’s story is one that more Americans need to hear. He’s not looking for handouts—he’s a leader in his community and a hardworking patriot who believes in faith, family, and conservative values. Yet, despite living in the U.S. since childhood, he remains stuck in limbo with no clear path to citizenship.
A Story of Love for America & Longing to Belong
Jose’s experience sheds light on a broken system—one that allows cartels, traffickers, and criminals to cross freely while leaving law-abiding, hardworking immigrants like him with no path forward.
As Jose put it:
“I’ve spent my whole life here. I love this country. I fly the American flag, I support the Constitution, I pay taxes, I’ve never broken the law. But I still don’t have the chance to truly belong.”
His story also challenges the misconception that Latino immigrants lean left. In reality, many, like Jose, align with conservative values—faith, freedom, and hard work.
Rejecting Anti-American Protests: "You're Doing It Wrong."
One of the most passionate moments of the podcast was when Jose spoke about the recent protests where some Hispanic demonstrators burned the American flag while waving the Mexican flag. To him, this is unacceptable.
"I'm all for our community. I'm all for the American flag. Seeing people burning the American flag and flying the Mexican flag—I'm very against that. Very against that. Unfortunately, that group of people does not represent us all."
Jose emphasized that if people want to protest, they should do it the right way—by flying the American flag proudly, not desecrating it.
"If every single one of those protesters was waving an American flag instead of burning it—if they were saying, ‘Acknowledge us, give us the opportunity’—it would be a completely different conversation."
Balancing Security, Justice & Opportunity
Jose and I discussed the importance of strong borders and ensuring those who commit crimes are deported. At the same time, we also talked about the need to find real solutions for those who have proven their dedication to this country.
As I told Congressman Nunn after our conversation:
“At the end of the day, we’re all human beings. Our goal should be to seek truth, uphold our values, and find solutions that make America stronger.”
A Conversation That Needs to Continue
This episode is about more than immigration—it’s about patriotism, identity, and the pursuit of the American Dream. It’s about people like Jose who love this country and want to contribute.
📢 I encourage you to listen, share, and join the conversation.
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What are your thoughts on Jose’s story? What do you think about the challenges facing hardworking immigrants in America today? Drop a comment in the Facebook Post and let’s talk.
Let’s keep the discussion going.