Immigration Enforcement Reporter

Job Description

About us: 

Documented is dedicated to publishing journalism for and about New York City’s immigrant communities and the policies that affect them. We publish vital, actionable information for asylum seekers and undocumented immigrants living here, as well as hard-hitting and impactful news investigations that have driven policy changes in the city and state. Our original news stories cover the ground-level impact of shifts in labor policy, law-enforcement practices and bureaucratic requirements, the effects of new federal directives as well as Q&As and instructional guides that inform New Yorkers about food, health and financial aid, and legal issues. We have a growing individual donor program and a robust institutional giving program, with support from the Ford Foundation, Emerson Collective, the American Journalism Project, as well as a host of local NYC foundations. Our work has been referenced by The New York Times, The Washington Post, in federal lawsuits, at the New York City Council and many other places.

Role Summary:

A core pillar of Documented's mission is to cover how federal immigration  enforcement coverage is playing out locally. Since the organization’s founding, we have covered the reshaping of the immigration courts, ICE’s local enforcement operations, and how local governments have invested in immigration detention. We’re seeking a reporter who can continue this work and own this segment of our reporting. The incoming Trump administration has made immigration one of their core tenets. This story will take shape locally in a myriad of ways as local government officials and agencies clash or cooperate with federal law enforcement. 

Trump's immigration  policies, including aggressive enforcement and tighter asylum processes, could significantly impact these vulnerable communities. Policies that limit access to public services, healthcare, and legal protections could further exacerbate the challenges faced by immigrants and their families.Enforcement efforts could lead to a rise in deportations, affecting hundreds of thousands of immigrants who are currently living in New York without legal status. 

As these policies unfold, our newsroom seeks a dedicated immigration reporter to provide clear, critical, nuanced and impactful reporting on how these national policies will play out locally. The reporter will focus on the direct impact of these policies on immigrant communities in New York, including coverage of enforcement actions, legal challenges, and the broader social implications of these policies. Our goal is to ensure that immigrant voices are heard and that the public remains informed about the real-world effects of these changes.

The ideal candidate will have deep knowledge of New York City's immigrant communities, fluency in Spanish, daily news production experience, and the ability to investigate and report on immigration issues from a human rights and policy perspective. They will also have an ability to break news and build sources amongst law enforcement. Experience working across mediums and platforms is a plus.

Responsibilities:

• Cover National and Local Immigration Policy Changes: 

  • Provide ongoing, real-time and in-depth reporting on national immigration policy changes under a second Trump administration through the lens of New York City’s immigrant communities.

  • Track and analyze changes to immigration enforcement, detention conditions, and legal processes.

  • Develop long-term investigative projects that track the effects of these policies in New York, with particular attention to vulnerable groups like asylum seekers, migrant workers, and undocumented individuals.

  • Expand efforts to inform the public on both the immediate and long-term consequences of Trump’s policies on immigrant lives, including access to healthcare, education, and housing.

• Monitor Immigration Enforcement and Detention Trends: Continue to cover immigration enforcement in New York City, focusing on ICE arrests, detentions, and deportations. Examine ICE’s shifting priorities and enforcement patterns, especially as the federal administration changes.  Prioritize coverage of immigrant rights violations, including the use of detention facilities and deportation practices.

• Investigate NYC’s Response to Federal Policies: Investigate how the local government at the state or city level is collaborating or clashing with federal agencies, with a focus on policies around housing, services, and legal protections for asylum seekers and undocumented migrants. Build sources and break exclusive stories on how New York is reacting to the new administration. 

• Collaborate with Other Journalists and Stakeholders: Work alongside fellow reporters, immigrant rights groups, legal experts, and community organizations to provide comprehensive coverage and hold those in power accountable.

• Build and Maintain Sources: Build and maintain sources in local law enforcement, federal agencies who operate in the Northeast and others who can help break exclusive stories on what is happening at the local level. Cultivate sources and build trust within immigrant communities across NYC to provide accurate and firsthand accounts of immigration-related issues.

• Produce Multimedia Content: Capture photos, videos, and other multimedia elements to enrich your reporting and engage readers across multiple platforms.

Qualifications:

• Proven experience in daily, on-the-ground news reporting, preferably with a focus on immigration issues, criminal justice, or social justice.

• A strong network within immigrant communities, legal organizations, or migrant rights groups is a plus.

• A strong base of sources within local law enforcement is a plus.

• Ability to navigate sensitive topics with care and accuracy, ensuring the dignity and privacy of sources.

• Knowledge of New York City’s immigrant communities and a commitment to giving voice to marginalized populations.

• Experience with multimedia journalism, including photography and video reporting.

• Fluency in Spanish.

• 4+ years of experience.
   

Compensation and Benefits:

The base salary for this role is between $80,000 and $90,000. Medical and dental benefits and four weeks paid time off are provided. This job is a hybrid of in-person at our New York office and at home with one mandatory day in-office on Tuesdays. We highly value lived experiences in the issues we cover as a news organization.
 

Deadline to Apply: Jan 3, 2025

Apply here: Link

A Note to Potential Candidates:

Studies have shown that women, trans, non-binary people, and BIPOC are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the qualifications as described in a job description. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organization, and we are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job. That candidate may come from a background less traditional to our field of work, and we welcome the opportunity for new perspectives into our work. We would strongly encourage you to apply, even if you don’t believe you meet every one of the qualifications described.

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