Salim Rashamwala

gave us a new perspective on what it means to belong.

And that's Mark Sanchez, my co-producer, a Barcelona native.

Hey, Salim.

So, Mark, where does Top Manta's story begin?

Like a lot of people around the world, when prospects disappeared, Lamine decided to try his luck elsewhere.

But why is Barcelona an attractive place for migrant workers in the first place?

Like, why not Madrid or another city in Spain or any other part of the world?

Oh, interesting.

So there's the geography of Spain as a whole, but it sounds like there's this entrepreneurial streak in Catalonia itself.

OK, so after the boat trip, Lamine is here.

His introduction to this country, though, was not a positive one.

He's allowed to be in Spain for three years, but he's not allowed to work, which feels a little absurd.

And we talked to an immigration lawyer and he didn't have a super clear answer as to why this is that way.

But it seems like it's in place because less time than that would encourage migration.

Way more people might imagine getting by for a year without work and a longer length of time would keep everyone out.

I'm Latina and... That is Marina Esmeraldo.

She is an architect and an artist from Brazil.

She came to Barcelona as a student 10 years ago.

Right.

Because for migrants like Lamine, the three-year exclusion meant that he was left with four options to make a living.