Senior Immigration Enforcement & Courts Reporter
About The Position
Borderless Magazine is an award-winning nonprofit news outlet that is reimagining immigration journalism for a more just and equitable future. We report and publish stories in both English and Spanish through our online publication. We work with immigrants and their allies to tell their own stories, and we train journalists to report on immigration issues. We won the 2024 Next Challenge’s “Future of Local Journalism” award for our community-centered reporting. Find out more at www.borderlessmag.org . Borderless is seeking a Senior Immigration Enforcement & Courts Reporter who will lead our coverage of immigration enforcement, detention, deportation proceedings, and related court cases, with a focus on how federal and local policies impact immigrant communities in the Chicagoland area. This is an extraordinary opportunity to join a diverse leadership team at an organization that values work-life balance. This is a new role, and we are seeking an individual who is ready to hit the ground running.
Requirements
- Minimum 10+ years of professional journalism experience, with demonstrated expertise in immigration, legal, or investigative reporting
- Must be based in or willing to relocate to Chicago, Illinois
- Proven ability to cultivate sources and break news in sensitive, complex subject areas
- Strong understanding of immigration law, enforcement procedures, and court systems
- Excellent writing skills with the ability to make complex legal and policy issues accessible to general audiences
- Experience reporting on marginalized communities with cultural sensitivity and ethical rigor
- Ability to work independently and meet tight deadlines
- Commitment to accuracy, fairness, and ethical journalism practices
Nice To Haves
- Spanish language proficiency
- Experience covering federal courts or criminal justice systems
- Familiarity with Chicago's immigrant communities and local immigration enforcement landscape
- Data journalism skills and experience with public records requests
- Multimedia storytelling capabilities
Responsibilities
- Produce compelling, accountability-driven reporting on immigration enforcement practices, ICE operations, and immigration court proceedings
- Develop and maintain relationships with sources, including immigrants, attorneys, advocates, law enforcement officials, and court personnel
- Cover federal immigration policy developments, their local implementation and impact
- Investigate systemic issues within the immigration enforcement and judicial systems
- Attend court hearings, community meetings, and other relevant events
- Collaborate with editors and other reporters on enterprise and investigative projects
- Engage with readers and community members through events and social media
- Mentor junior reporters and contribute to the newsroom's immigration coverage strategy
Benefits
- Subsidized medical, dental, and health insurance for themselves and their spouse/children
- 20 days of vacation accrued per year
- 10 days of sick/mental wellness days
- 10 paid holidays plus the week between Christmas and New Year’s off
- Six weeks of paid family leave, plus additional subsidized leave available through short-term disability insurance
- The opportunity to invest in Borderless’ 403(b) retirement plan
- A one-month paid sabbatical for personal enrichment after working full-time at Borderless for five years
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
Education Level
No Education Listed
