Yelena Makhnin discusses emigrating from Russia to the U.S. and the value of public television in making the arts accessible to all New Yorkers.

Wellington Z. Chen discusses how he started studying architecture and the diversity of New York City.

Jumana Bishara discusses the importance of language and food in Palestinian culture, and how her mother’s restaurant is preserving their family’s culinary traditions.

Pastor Mullery Jean-Pierre of Beraca Baptist Church discusses emigrating from Haiti to the U.S. as a child and his parents’ involvement with the first Haitian church in New York City.

Artist/Consultant Flora Mendoza shares her parents’ immigration story.

Staten Island Borough President Honorable James P. Molinaro discusses what it was like growing up the son of Italian immigrants in New York.

MetroFocus met four immigrants whose own experiences led to careers fighting for the rights of others.