Hearst Communications, Inc. is hiring: Immigration Reporter in Houston

The Houston Chronicle is seeking an Immigration Reporter to lead high-impact coverage of the impacts of federal and state immigration policies on Houston, one of the nation’s most diverse metro areas. This role will focus on uncovering how federal policies shape the lives of immigrants across the region, including those on work visas, asylum seekers, and refugees, while also examining broader impacts on Houston’s communities, culture, and industries.

While primarily based in Houston, this role may include occasional travel to the Texas-Mexico border or other locations as needed to report on key developments.

Key Responsibilities:

• Breaking News: Cover major developments in immigration policies and enforcement with a focus on how these decisions resonate across Houston.
• Human Impact Stories: Report on the lives of immigrants affected by federal policies, including work visa holders, asylum seekers, and refugees, focusing on their contributions, challenges, and experiences in Houston.
• Trend Reporting: Collaborate with the data team to uncover immigration trends, such as demographic shifts, changes in asylum cases, or fluctuations in visa approvals, and explain how they affect Houston’s communities and industries.
• Community Coverage: Explore the cultural and social impacts of immigration in Houston, including how policies influence neighborhoods, schools, and local organizations.
• Visual-first Storytelling: Collaborate with visuals, data, and audience teams to produce engaging stories across platforms, including video, interactive graphics, and social media.
• Border Reporting: Travel occasionally to the Texas-Mexico border or other key areas to provide on-the-ground reporting and context for major immigration stories.
• Source Building: Cultivate strong relationships with immigrants, advocates, attorneys, business leaders, state and federal agencies, and community organizations to produce exclusive stories.

We’re Looking for Someone Who:

• Has 4+ years of reporting experience, preferably covering immigration
• Is skilled at breaking news while developing in-depth, human-centered stories
• Can use data to identify trends and provide insightful, context-rich reporting on immigration issues.
• Thrives in a collaborative newsroom environment and is eager to experiment with innovative storytelling formats, including social video and visual content.
• Understands the complexities of immigration policies and their impact on diverse communities in Houston.
• Brings strong reporting, writing, and analytical skills, with a talent for simplifying complex issues for a broad audience.
• Must be fluent in Spanish
• Is flexible and willing to travel as needed to cover key immigration stories