A visibility paradox permeates media coverage of Central American migrations to the U.S.

by justinagrelo | Dec 27, 2018 | The Migration

By Justin Agrelo, Medill, Immigrant Connect For Arlette Jácome, the hyper-visibility of Central Americans in the mainstream news cycle over the past several months has been “devastating.” “I feel like we’re only important because it’s serving a purpose, you know? I...

Are the Central Americans walking towards the American border—the “caravan”—migrants or refugees? What’s the difference?

by miriamannenberg | Dec 16, 2018 | Good Question, The Migration

By Miriam Annenberg, Medill, Immigrant Connect Ingrid Hernandez Mejia and Misael George Bonilla, a couple from Honduras, came to the U.S. border with their three children. Gang members had killed Ingrid’s brother and were threatening their kids. They harassed their...

I learn to listen through thick water across distance and difference

by camilleerickson | Nov 23, 2018 | Our Staff, The Migration

By Camille Erickson, Medill, Immigrant Connect A glistening pile of salt the weight of a child spills forth onto the gallery floor, depicting the accumulated salt deposits along the shores of the Dead Sea. On top of the mound rests a small, plaid backpack with a teddy...

TPS ends for Nicaraguans and Haitians, thousands more face uncertainty and the prospect of family separation

by Jack Doppelt | Dec 3, 2017 | Problems with Papers, The Migration, Work, Jobs and Money

By Griselda Flores, Medill, Immigrant Connect Edwin Murillo’s home isn’t the same anymore. The joy filled by his two daughters has been replaced by uncertainty and instability in the past few weeks. Murillo is from El Salvador and has been a TPS recipient since 1999,...

For refugees in the U.S., politics is a luxury

by Jack Doppelt | Jun 30, 2017 | 100 Days for Immigrants and Refugees, Back Home, Culture Shock, Ethnic Media Series, The Migration

By Kathryn Karnaze, Medill, Immigrant Connect As a widow with four kids, Amal faces extreme financial, emotional, and physical stress. She and her kids, all under the age of fifteen, have been living in Skokie, a Chicago suburb, for the past seven months. Previously,...

The phone rings and Aunt Paoola can smile again

by Jack Doppelt | Apr 23, 2017 | About, Back Home, Family, Our Staff, The Migration

By Balim Tezel, Medill, Immigrant Connect Every day this week, after I finish my second-grade math homework, I’ve run up to Paoola’s room and play games with her. Paoola and my uncle are visiting us for the week at our family home in Turkey. Just when we start...