From the first to the second Trump administration: journalists share their experiences covering immigration
President Trump’s immigration priorities have changed during his first and second term in the White House. Journalist Cecilia Vega says the administration is broadening the scope, not just going after people with criminal records.
CBS News immigration correspondent Camilo Montoya-Galvez says President Trump made immigration a top campaign issue. “He ran on launching the largest mass deportation operation in American history, and his administration has been aggressively pushing for deportations,” Montoya-Galvez said.
Journalists are also adapting their reporting styles as the administration’s pace hastens.
“There is virtually a new policy change every single week and we have to basically be very nimble, to cover those changes comprehensively.” Montoya- Galvez said.
Sabrina Rodriguez, a political reporter for the Wall Street Journal, says coverage of President Trump’s social media posts has also evolved. “I think there’s more of like using judgment calls,” Rodriguez said.
Vega, who has covered immigration extensively, says Latinos shouldn’t be the only journalists covering immigration. “I think what happens often in newsrooms is Latinos get typecast as immigration reporters and I don’t think just Latinos should be covering immigration that being said, I do think when Latinos decide to cover immigration there’s often an advantage, if you speak Spanish, if you speak another language, that’s a superpower,” Vega said.
Despite the many changes, Latino journalists covering the White House continue managing the complexity, humanity and pace of immigration in the U.S.
Ianis Soto is a senior at Sagrado Corazón University in Puerto Rico. She aspires to amplify the voices of underrepresented communities, in front of the camera and behind the scenes. You can reach her at ianisotovalle [at] gmail [dot] com or via LinkedIn.
