Podcast Summary: "Next Comes What"
Episode: "The Lost and The Returned"
Host: Andrea Pitzer
Release Date: July 24, 2025

Introduction: The Misuse of the Alien Enemies Act

Andrea Pitzer opens the episode by discussing the Trump administration's controversial use of the Alien Enemies Act to assert that the United States was at war—a claim she argues was unfounded. This assertion led to the deportation of hundreds of Venezuelan immigrants from U.S. soil to El Salvador, defying a U.S. judge's order previously halting such deportations.

Andrea Pitzer [00:30]: "The US is not at war with Venezuela and deported hundreds of Venezuelan immigrants on US soil to El Salvador, despite a US Judge's order one day earlier not to deport them under the Alien Enemies Act."

She emphasizes that the Alien Enemies Act traditionally pertains to situations involving armed conflict, not migration or narcotics trafficking, highlighting the legal overreach in its application.

A Controversial Prisoner Swap

Pitzer delves into a recent event where over 250 Venezuelan prisoners were exchanged by El Salvador in return for the release of 10 U.S. citizens and permanent residents held in Venezuela. She critiques this swap as a potential violation of international law, noting that many of the deported individuals were not serious criminals but were instead in precarious and irregular immigration statuses.

Andrea Pitzer [05:15]: "A lot of these 252 prisoners in El Salvador were in an irregular illegal situation with their immigration status in the US but they weren't serious criminals, most of them."

Voices of the Lost and Returned

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to sharing the harrowing experiences of those deported and subsequently imprisoned. Pitzer recounts testimonies of physical and psychological abuse endured by the deportees, underscoring the urgent need to amplify their voices to prevent further disappearances.

Andrea Pitzer [10:45]: "I received so many beatings and I just was urinating in blood."

She highlights the importance of remembering the disappeared and those in limbo to ensure their stories contribute to preventing future tragedies.

Historical Parallels: Art and Memory

Switching gears, Pitzer reflects on her personal journey with art, particularly the influence of British director Peter Greenaway. She draws parallels between Greenaway's work—specifically his film Death in the Seine—and the current situation, emphasizing themes of death, societal failures, and the human imagination.

Andrea Pitzer [15:30]: "Death in the Seine...cataloging the world and trying to use art and lists in sequences to somehow bring things to order."

Pitzer contrasts Greenaway's meticulous cataloging of deaths with the mythologized story of l'inconnu de la Seine, a death mask with dubious origins, to illustrate how narratives can overshadow truths.

The 1961 Algerian Massacre: A Dark Chapter Ignored

Pitzer recounts the tragic events of October 17, 1961, when French police brutally suppressed a peaceful protest by Algerians in Paris, resulting in the deaths of at least 100 protesters. She criticizes the French authorities for censoring the massacre, destroying records, and silencing journalists, thereby erasing a critical historical atrocity.

Andrea Pitzer [22:10]: “I don't know by what miracle I was not thrown in the river,” shared eyewitness Hossein Hakem, reflecting on the massacre half a century later.

Pitzer uses this historical example to draw a stark comparison to contemporary abuses, warning against the repetition of such suppression.

Contemporary Immigration Enforcement: Targeting the Vulnerable

Returning to the present, Pitzer examines how modern immigration enforcement agencies like ICE employ tactics that echo authoritarian regimes. She cites the case of Rumesa Asturk, a doctoral student who was ambushed by plainclothed officers, highlighting the invasive and aggressive nature of current deportation practices.

Andrea Pitzer [28:20]: "They take her phone and put her in handcuffs. Only then do they appear to identify themselves as police."

She emphasizes the role of surveillance and documentation in resisting these abuses, encouraging listeners to utilize available technologies to expose and prevent further violations.

Personal Stories: The Human Cost of Deportation

Pitzer shares poignant stories of individuals affected by the deportation policies. She narrates the ordeal of Andri Hernandez Romero, who was deported due to a tattoo and faced severe mistreatment without due process.

Andri Hernandez Romero [35:50]: “I thought of my daughter, thought of my wife, thought of my brothers and my family. That gave me strength not to give up, not to let myself die.”

These personal testimonies illustrate the profound human impact of these policies and reinforce the necessity of advocacy and legal support.

International Implications and Call to Action

Pitzer discusses the broader implications of the U.S. government's handling of deportations and prisoner exchanges, particularly regarding international law and human rights. She urges listeners to take actionable steps to combat these injustices, such as contacting local representatives, supporting immigration defense efforts, and amplifying the stories of those affected.

Andrea Pitzer [40:00]: “We can't know today, but we can prevent as many disappearances as possible. We can call out the names of the missing and we can work for their return.”

She announces an upcoming episode focused on strategies to disrupt ICE's operations within communities, emphasizing the ongoing nature of the struggle against authoritarian practices in immigration enforcement.

Conclusion: The Importance of Documentation and Advocacy

In concluding the episode, Pitzer reiterates the critical importance of documenting abuses and supporting the voices of the deported to foster public awareness and drive change. She stresses that societal complacency only serves to empower oppressive measures and highlights the transformative power of individual and collective action.

Andrea Pitzer [44:30]: “A map of what we need to stand up against is also the most likely means by which public opinion can be turned even further to oppose this outrageous violence against civilians committed against our friends and our neighbors.”

She calls on listeners to share the podcast, support the movement, and engage in efforts to end the systemic abuses faced by immigrants.

Call to Action:

• Subscribe and Support: Listeners are encouraged to subscribe to the podcast, leave a five-star review, and consider becoming paid subscribers to support the ongoing work.

• Engage Locally: Contact local representatives to address ICE’s presence and partnerships within communities.

• Amplify Voices: Share and amplify the stories of deported individuals to maintain public awareness and pressure for systemic change.

Andrea Pitzer [49:00]: “Please share this with anyone who's looking for ways to help each other survive this mess.”

This episode of "Next Comes What" offers a compelling examination of historical and contemporary immigration enforcement practices, weaving personal narratives with critical analysis to highlight the urgent need for advocacy and systemic change. Andrea Pitzer effectively bridges the past and present, demonstrating how understanding history is essential to combating modern-day injustices.