A podcast hosted by Jesse La Tour about the past and present of Fullerton, California. To follow my research and writing visit www.fullertonhistory.com (https://www.fullertonhistory,com).
Episode 8: Immigration Then & Now Featuring Prof. Jody Agius Vallejo (Part 1)
For this episode, I sat down with Jody Agius Vallejo, Professor of Sociology and American Studies and Ethnicity and Associate Director of the USC Equity Research Institute. In Part 1 of our conversation, we talk about the climate of hostility and fear in Southern California created by widespread ICE raids, and we give context to the current moment by examining the history of immigration to places like Fullerton.
Here are some references provided by Prof. Vallejo:
Seven Facts on Immigration that Every American Should Know (https://dornsife.usc.edu/eri/2025/04/29/seven-facts-on-immigration-that-every-american-should-know-2025/), by Jody Agius Vallejo and Clara Alvarez Caraveo, USC Equity Research Institute
New Gallup poll on immigration (https://news.gallup.com/poll/692522/surge-concern-immigration-abated.aspx): note the record high support of immigration as a benefit to the nation as well as the substantial support for a pathway to citizenship for undocumented people currently in the country now. Also of note is that the majority of Americans disapprove Trump’s handling of immigration.
THE groundbreaking source on the development of the Mexican communities in OC as a result of the citrus industry:
Gonzalez, Gilbert (https://www.press.uillinois.edu/books/?id=p063886). 1994. Labor and Community: Mexican Citrus Worker Villages in a Southern California County, 1900-1950
My most recent op-ed
2025 Californians Must Refuse to Abandon the Immigrants Among Us (https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2025-05-06/southern-california-deportation-immigration-ice-rights). Los Angeles Times (with Manuel Pastor).
Academic articles
Lee, Erika. 2007. “The ‘yellow peril’ and Asian Exclusion in the Americas (https://blogs.ubc.ca/history456/files/2017/02/lee-asia-america.pdf).” Pacific Historical Review. 76:4 pp. 537-562
Ngai, Mai. 1999. The Architecture of Race in American Immigration Law (https://faculty.fiu.edu/~revellk/pad3802/Ngai.pdf): A reexamination of the Immigration Act of 1924. The Journal of American History. 86: N1 pp. 79-92
Excellent substacks to follow to stay up to date on evolving immigration issues:
Migrant Insider (https://migrantinsider.com/)
Letters from an American (https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/)
Austin Kocher (https://substack.com/@austinkocher?utm_source=top-search)
Data Sources
USC Equity Research Institute’s California Immigrant Data Portal (https://immigrantdataca.org/indicators/recency-of-arrival?geo=04000000000006059) (CIDP)
Deportation Detention Project (https://deportationdata.org/index.html)
Read Jesse's Brief History of Immigration to Fullerton HERE (https://fullertonhistory.com/2025/07/02/a-brief-history-of-immigration-to-fullerton/).
To follow Jesse's research and writing about the history of Fullerton, check out www.fullertonhistory.com (https://www.fullertonhistory.com).
7 Jun 2025
Episode 7: Community Activism and Involvement Featuring Judith Kaluzny
Community activist Judith Kaluzny discusses her extensive involvement in Fullerton's history, including fair housing, school desegregation, and establishing vital community resources in an interview.
31 May 2025
Episode 6: Orange County Politics Featuring Jodi Balma
Political science professor Jodi Balma examines Orange County's political evolution, dissecting its conservative roots and transition to a more politically diverse landscape in an interview with the host.
26 May 2025
Episode 5: Fullerton College History Featuring Robert Jensen
Robert Jensen, retired Dean of Fine Arts, explores Fullerton College's history, including notable alumni and the impact of social changes, in an interview with the host.
16 May 2025
Episode 4: Growing Up in Fullerton in the 1980s and 1990s Featuring Seth La Tour
For this episode, I sat down with my brother, Seth La Tour, to talk about our memories of growing up in Fullerton in the 1980s and 1990s. We discuss roller hockey, the cement slides at Gilman Park, exploring oil fields, the year of the Superballs, Soup Exchange, Pogs, and more.
To follow my research and writing about Fullerton visit www.fullertonhistory.com (https://www.fullertonhistory.com).
9 May 2025
Episode 3: Friends of Coyote Hills Featuring Angela Lindstrom
For this episode, I sat down with Angela Lindstrom, who is president of the Friends of Coyote Hills–the group that is working to preserve West Coyote Hills, a large natural open space in northwest Fullerton. We discuss the history of the land, the unique plants and animals who live there, the decades-long effort to preserve it, the politics of development, and more.
To learn more about Coyote Hills visit www.coyotehills.org (https://www.coyotehills.org).
To follow my local history research visit www.fullertonhistory.com (https://www.fullertonhistory.com.).
2 May 2025
Episode 2: The Fox Theater Turns 100 featuring Todd Huffman
For this episode, I sat down with Todd Huffman, who is on the board of the Fullerton Historic Theater Foundation–the group that is working to renovate the Fox Theater. This year, the Fox celebrates 100 years of existence. In 1925, C. Stanley Chapman built this iconic movie palace. For decades, it was Fullerton’s premiere theater. It closed in 1987 and barely escaped the wrecking ball in 2004–when it was saved. Since then, the community has been working to restore the theater to its former glory. To learn more visit www.foxfullerton.org.
To learn more about local history visit www.fullertonhistory.com.
26 Apr 2025
Episode 1: The Muckenthaler Celebrates 100 Years Feat. Farell Hirsch
For this episode, I interviewed Farrell Hirsch, CEO of the Muckenthaler Cultural Center in Fullerton. This year, The Muck celebrates its 100-year anniversary with a number of art exhibits, shows, and gala events.
Visit www.themuck.org (http://www.themuck.org) to lear more about what's happening at The Muck.
To follow my research and writing about Fullerton history visit www.fullertonhistory.com (https://www.fullertonhistory.com).
Who has been a guest on Fullerton: Then & Now
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Judith Kaluzny
Jodi Balma
Robert Jensen
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Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 3 / 100
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Quality
6
Social presence
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YouTube
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