Reporting on Immigration Amid Heightened Deportation Threats: Insights from 'How I Got That Story' Feb. 2025
On Friday, February 28, AAN Publishers hosted its latest How I Got That Story webinar, focusing on how journalists can effectively report on immigration amid growing detention and deportation threats. Moderated by AAN board member Sayaka Matsuoka, the panel featured:
•Paul Ingram, senior reporter at Tucson Sentinel and 2024 AAN first-place winner in immigration reporting
•Santiago Mueckay, associate director of advocacy at the Vera Institute of Justice’s Advancing Universal Representation Initiative
The discussion provided invaluable insights into disinformation, sourcing, verifying facts, and responsible language choices when covering immigration stories. Both panelists emphasized the importance of understanding local impacts, contextualizing policies, and using precise language to avoid misleading narratives.
Paul Ingram shared his experiences reporting on the U.S.-Mexico border, highlighting the need for strong sourcing and community engagement. Santiago Mueckay provided a policy perspective, explaining how journalists can access advocacy resources and frame their stories accurately and fairly.
The conversation reinforced the role of independent and local news outlets in informing the public about immigration issues while protecting vulnerable communities from misinformation.
Missed the webinar? Watch the full recording on YouTube.
For more information, contact: Todd Stauffer at todd@aan.org.
Stay tuned for next month’s How I Got That Story session—details coming soon!
