In a moving series of profiles titled “HomeLAnd”—published in LAist—Luce-supported journalist Aaron Schrank shares the stories of L.A.-based activists, religious leaders, and journalists who have used their presence as immigrants in the U.S., and their influence in and beyond their professions, to help better the lives of people in their home countries around the world.
Los Angeles is a land of immigrants. One in every three people living in L.A. County was born outside of the U.S. That’s more than 3.6 million people, the largest foreign-born population of any county in the nation. Millions more Southern Californians are the children or grandchildren of immigrants, refugees or exiles from every corner of the world.
Los Angeles has long been a hub for international communities. It’s home to the largest populations of people from Mexico, South Korea, the Philippines, El Salvador, Guatemala and Armenia outside of those countries. L.A.’s diverse diaspora populations help define the region, but these groups also shape the character, culture and politics of their home countries from afar.
In this 7-part series, we’ll meet L.A.-based activists, religious leaders, musicians, journalists and others who help illustrate the deep connections and unique influence L.A.’s immigrant communities have around the world.
