From the ACLU, this is at Liberty. I'm Kendall Seasmeyer, your host.

The United States is home to the largest immigrant population in the world, with hundreds of

thousands more seeking asylum and citizenship.

America simply would not be what it is today, if not for immigration, if not for the

contributions of millions of immigrants who have come here, boltering the population,

strengthening our economy, and weaving their cultures into the fabric of this nation.

And yet, despite this truth, many immigrants in the United States and those seeking entry at our borders continue to face a bureaucratic,

dangerous system that often casts them aside. From the costly and complicated citizenship

process to the anti-immigrant rhetoric that plagues today's

politics, immigrants often find themselves jumping through hoops to stay in this country.

That's the situation that Alejandro Martinez, an aspiring toy maker and Hasbro hopeful,

finds himself in when he moves from El Salvador to New York City. One mistake puts

him out of a job and left to scramble for new employment that will sponsor him for a work

visa. The journey to that work visa is anything but conventional. This is the basis of Problemista, a new A24 movie starring, written, and directed by comedian Julio Torres.

It's an adjective.

I define it as someone who thrives in problems or makes art inspired by problems?

The movie is filled with Problemistas.

Torres, who is an immigrant himself, plays Alejandro, and through his trials, offers a

glimpse into a dizzying and absurd reality of the immigration process.

You may know Julio from his work writing for SNL or the show Los Espookis and his comedy

special My Favorite Shapes on HBO.

But today, he joins us to talk about Problemista and the experiences that led to its creation.

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