Editor’s note: The following collection of immigration reporting resources, story ideas and examples is the fifth in a series of tip sheets for new and experienced journalists covering immigration at the local and community levels. This tip sheet series is made possible through funding from the Catena Foundation. You can read the entire collection here.

As I watched the recent presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, I was not surprised that immigration, Republicans’ go-to campaign bogeyman, came up time and again because recent polls show the topic is now a top concern for most Americans. 

Nor was I surprised by Trump’s repeated assertions that violent crime by undocumented immigrants “is through the roof,” that “millions of criminals, terrorists, common street people, and drug dealers” are pouring into the U.S., and “they are ruining our country.” At one point, the co-moderator interrupted to debunk Trump’s alarming claim that Haitian migrants are eating people’s pets in Springfield, Ohio. The Haitians are in the country through a special designation called Temporary Protected Status or other legal permission.  

Of course, anyone can cite specific examples of an undocumented person committing rape or murder, as Fox News host Sean Hannity did recently as he reported on a House Judiciary Committee hearing where family members of victims of crimes committed by undocumented people provided detailed testimony. As he spoke, alarming headlines flashed behind him on the screen: an 11-year-old girl murdered at home by an “illegal alien released into the country,” a 12-year-old assaulted and murdered by “two illegal aliens” from Venezuela, and others.

As horrific as these crimes are — whether migrants or nonimmigrants are responsible for them — research shows that undocumented immigrants commit fewer crimes than U.S.-born Americans or naturalized foreigners. Prominent think tanks and research organizations like The Marshall Project,  The Brennan Center and the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research have produced many credible reports with detailed data debunking the assertion. 

The authors of the Brennan Center report said: “The research does not support the view that immigrants commit crime or are incarcerated at higher rates than native-born Americans. In fact, immigrants might have less law enforcement contact compared to nonimmigrants. Focusing on the facts is imperative, especially given that immigration has become a top issue for voters ahead of the election.” 

Story idea: Journalists should familiarize themselves with these and other studies and mention them when reporting crimes committed by undocumented immigrants. This provides essential context to viewers and readers. 

Putting aside the subsequent flurry of news and fact-checking of claims made by both candidates at the debate, other recent developments and legal challenges to the administration’s immigration policies are worth following and reporting.  

Court halts parole program for some undocumented spouses and children  

One such action is a recent court’s decision to halt a Biden plan, known as Keeping Families Together, to provide work permits and protection from deportation to certain undocumented spouses and stepchildren of U.S. citizens. A few weeks after the program kicked off, 16 Republican-led states, including Texas, Florida and Ohio, sued the U.S. Justice Department to stop it. Although immigrant families who qualify can still apply for the program, the government has temporarily halted processing applications. 

The program would have offered a special immigration status known as parole to more than 500,000 qualifying immigrant spouses and children. 

Lawyers expect the Trump-appointed Texas federal judge hearing the case will extend the order when it soon expires.

Story idea: Interview some mixed-status immigrant families who filled out an application for Keeping Families Together in the first few weeks and were approved for the program. Talk to other people who are eligible but still need to be approved. You can find the families by checking with local immigration lawyers or legal services programs in your area.  

Homing in on refugee resettlement across the U.S.

Recent reports show that 84,271 refugees were admitted to the United States between October of last year and August of this year. People from other countries who arrive under “refugee” status are provided with work permits, social security numbers and other federal benefits. Until recently, it took months for refugees to receive their work documents, but the approvals now take just 30 days rather than months.

The U.S. State Department provides detailed information in this report about admitted refugees, including their country of origin and destination state in the U.S.

This data visualization from the American Council of Immigration is a treasure trove for journalists. It contains detailed information on refugee arrivals between 2002 and 2018. One interactive is a U.S. map showing refugees’ country of origin in 500 U.S. cities. 

The interactive map shows Antioch, Tennessee, as an example. In 2002, refugees arrived from Sudan, Serbia and Cuba; in 2018, they were from Congo and Bhutan. 

Here are some recent stories about the changing demographics in historically white communities; in some cases, migrants are welcomed, and in others, tensions arise. 

“Utah faces a labor shortage as refugee resettlement declines,” KUER 90.1 

“Ohio city with migrant influx is thrust into the political spotlight,” PBS Newshour

“The shelter and the storm,” about migrants in Norfolk, Massachusetts; The Washington Post

Story idea: Find your city on the data visualization map and interview immigrants by nationality about their adaptation to their local community and state. Where do they work, live, shop and are their children attending school? Are they learning English? Where do they go for healthcare? What do they find most confusing about U.S. cultural norms, practices and processes? Try to find out why they settled where they did. Did they have a choice of destination? 

Republican-led states lead efforts to restrict immigration

A new comprehensive report by the League of United Latin American Citizens, the country’s largest Latino civil rights organization, provides a detailed overview of restrictive legislative measures taken by states since 2020, with 223 proposed this year to address immigration and over 500 the last four years. 

The measures include criminalizing unauthorized entry into the U.S. at the state level and allowing local law enforcement to cooperate with federal authorities in enforcing immigration laws. Other measures would address non-citizen voting attempts and the hiring of undocumented workers. 

Texas was the first state to sign into law SB4 in 2023 to deport undocumented immigrants who cross into their state. The federal government has challenged the law in federal court, and its implementation is temporarily suspended.

Several other states — Iowa, Louisiana, Kansas and Oklahoma — have enacted similar laws, and Arizona voters will vote on Proposition 314, that state’s version of the Texas law, in November. It is worth noting that Catholic bishops in Arizona recently issued a statement opposing the law, saying it will lead to “fear” and “harmful consequences.”

Story idea: Check to see what immigration proposals might be pending in your state and interview religious, civil rights and immigrant advocacy groups about them. Are they preparing to challenge any of the measures that pass? 

The human side of immigration 

Take a look at the following stories: 

“After 26 years, a Border Patrol agent has a new role: helping migrants,” USA Today

“Feds deploy surveillance blimp over busy smuggling corridors,” Border Report. 

“What We Learned When We Met With Our Latino Immigrant Readers In Person,” Documented. 

Story idea: How can you localize the first two stories for your readers and viewers? Is there someone in your community who once worked in immigration enforcement but is now volunteering to help migrant arrivals?  Can your publication host a town hall similar to the one in New York, where immigrants discuss their challenges?