As a young reporter in the 1980s, Jason DeParle moved in with a family in the Philippines to write about Manilla’s shantytowns. He kept in touch as the family migrated to the Gulf, the United States, and elsewhere over the ensuing decades, and tells the family’s story in his new book, “A Good Provider is One Who Leaves: One Family and Migration in the 21st Century.”

On this episode, Jason joined us to discuss this family’s journey from the Philippines to the Persian Gulf to the suburbs of Houston, Texas. Throughout, Jason explains the economic forces shaping current global migration trends as well as the enduring appeal of the United States to many future Americans who just happened to be born elsewhere.

Jason DeParle is a reporter for The New York Times and has written extensively about poverty and immigration. His book, “American Dream: Three Women, Ten Kids, and a Nation’s Drive to End Welfare” was a New York Times Notable Book and won the Helen Bernstein Award from the New York City Library. He is a recipient of the George Polk Award and is a two-time finalist for the Pulitzer Prize.

You can subscribe to “Banter” on iTunesStitcher, or the podcast player of your choice, and archived episodes can be found at www.aei.org/feature/banter. This is Banter episode #380.

Related content:

Jason’s book

Jason’s event at AEI

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