Stories by Valeria Fernandez

Valeria Fernández is an independent journalist in Phoenix, Arizona. She worked for La Voz newspaper for the last six years covering the immigration beat and she is a guest contributor on Race Wire. Valeria was born and raised in Montevideo, Uruguay, and moved to the United States in 1999. subscribe to Valeria Fernandez's feed

New Hampshire City Debates Moratorium on Refugees

Posted on: Jan 24, 2012, Source: New America Media

Members of the city’s Bhutanese community say they are opposed to a decrease in refugees, citing the economic contributions that they have made in the city of Manchester.

Future of Anti-Immigrant State Laws on the Line for 2012

Posted on: Jan 8, 2012, Source: New America Media

A showdown in 2012 between Arizona and the federal government over SB 1070 may provide crucial guidance for other federal courts on newer state laws.

After Recall, Arizona Moves Towards Humane Treatment of Immigrants

Posted on: Dec 7, 2011, Source: New American Media

They propose that the city adopt guiding principles that focus on keeping immigrant families together and enforcing the law in a humanitarian way.

Are Contradictory Immigration Laws Leaving Families in Legal Limbo?

Posted on: Nov 30, 2011, Source: New America Media

Maria Teresa Fuentes has been ordered to leave the country by December 17th of this year, but her permit is valid until August 2012. If she stays, she may deported in the future.

Racist Arizona Immigration Law Earns It First Lawsuit -- And It's From a Pastor

Posted on: Oct 17, 2011, Source: New America Media

Detectives questioned the validity of Manuel Hernández's papers and accused him of lying about being a pastor. He wasn't.

Three Years, 30,000 Incidents of Human Rights Abuse: Are Border Patrol Agents the Real Criminals?

Posted on: Sep 29, 2011, Source: New America Media

Allegations range from Border Patrol agents denying food and water to adults and children in detention for several days, to purposely separating families during deportation.

Can a Latina Tea Party "Favorite" Save an Anti-Immigration Senator in Arizona?

Posted on: Sep 25, 2011, Source: New American Media

The motivations behind elusive Senatorial candidate Olivia Cortes are unknown, but theories suggest some dark politics.

Salvadoran Immigrant Is a Rising Star in the GOP

Posted on: Aug 23, 2011, Source: New America Media

Not everyone is buying into a browner image of the Republican Party.

Arizona Immigration Bills Spark High-School Protests at State Capitol

Posted on: Mar 15, 2011, Source: New America Media

Two pieces of legislation recently introduced in the Legislature could keep students from enrolling in kindergarten through 12th grade and ban their access to higher education.

Barrage of GOP Bills Would Deny Citizenship to U.S.-Born Kids

Posted on: Oct 26, 2010, Source: New America Media

The proposal would change the Citizenship Clause in the 14th Amendment, which was ratified after the Civil War and was designed in part to allow black people to be US citizens.

Everyone's Feeling Economic Pain, But It's Hitting Minorities Worst of All

Posted on: Jan 18, 2009, Source: Colorlines.com

Latinos and Blacks are feeling the effects of foreclosures, job losses and increased debt most acutely.