Amy Bracken

Amy Bracken is a Boston-based freelance journalist who reports primarily on migration and all things Haitian.

Amy Bracken is a Boston-based independent reporter and radio producer. She mostly covers migration and all things Haitian but has also reported on religion and human rights, and she likes exploring the history behind current events. She is a graduate of Columbia School of Journalism and the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy.

an anti-poacher billboard

A rhino warrior experiments with peace

In the battle to save a species in South Africa, questioning militancy is yielding results.

A rhino warrior experiments with peace
A group of young Haitians are shown sitting around a table in a room without glass in the windows.

Meet the Petrochallengers: A new generation wants to bring accountability to Haiti. Can they succeed?

Meet the Petrochallengers: A new generation wants to bring accountability to Haiti. Can they succeed?
A woman is shown walking down a cement staircase in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

A family split between the US and Haiti dreads looming loss of legal status

A family split between the US and Haiti dreads looming loss of legal status
Woman standing in front of poster

Want to see where immigration policy changes put workers at risk? Go to Harvard.

Want to see where immigration policy changes put workers at risk? Go to Harvard.
Student speaks to crowd at a protest

How foreign correspondents in the US cover mass shootings for their overseas audiences

How foreign correspondents in the US cover mass shootings for their overseas audiences
the Afghanistan Women's National soccer team poses in uniform

American coach of Afghan women's soccer team has one goal: Hope

The team practices all over Asia and the Middle East. "Our goal is to find safe places outside of Afghanistan," she says, "so everyone who comes to camp can feel safe and can train and feel good about the environment, and focus on football."

American coach of Afghan women's soccer team has one goal: Hope
young people seated in grass around a cross

Russian bots seize on Parkland shooting to amplify messages

These days, the online debates about gun control come with a steroid boost from Twitter bots seeking to divide Americans even further. Host Marco Werman speaks with Erin Griffith, a senior writer at Wired, who wrote about the surge in bot traffic.

Russian bots seize on Parkland shooting to amplify messages
Actor Lupita Nyong'o posing in front of a giant Black Panther backdrop

'Black Panther' premiers in Lupita Nyong'o's hometown

Marvel's new superhero movie, "Black Panther," had a premier Tuesday night in Kisumu, Kenya, the hometown of Lupita Nyong'o, one of the film's stars.

'Black Panther' premiers in Lupita Nyong'o's hometown
Rokhaya Diallo speaking on a panel below a screen that says in French, 'call for a multicultural and postracial republic'

Activist ousted from French advisory council says race talk is still taboo

Discussing race, religion and gender in France has long been the third rail. And activists who thought things would be different under Emmanuel Macron are sorely disappointed.

Activist ousted from French advisory council says race talk is still taboo
collapsed house in ravine with lake and mountains in background

Is it ethical to vacation in places devastated by disaster?

In December, three months after Puerto Rico was pummelled by Hurricane Maria, a spokesman for the island's tourism industry declared it was open for business. But much of Puerto Rico is still struggling to get back on its feet. So what's an island lover to do for spring break? Embrace the devastated destinations or give them space to breathe?

Is it ethical to vacation in places devastated by disaster?
People protest to call for a new DREAM Act to replace DACA in Los Angeles, California, Jan.17, 2018.

Fear, not 'laziness', is one reason some immigrants haven't applied for DACA

White House Chief of Staff John Kelly on Tuesday suggested that young immigrants who have not applied for legal status are either afraid or "too lazy to get off their asses." Immigrants, advocates and Democrats have called Kelly's words offensive and wrong.

Fear, not 'laziness', is one reason some immigrants haven't applied for DACA
Man on a boat lifting a young child to hand to rescuers

A year after the Italy-Libya migrant deal: Fewer deaths at sea but persistent abuse on land

In February 2017, Italy and Libya signed an agreement to try to slow the arrival of migrants across the Mediterranean from Africa to Europe, with Italy giving logistical and financial support to Libya's coast guard. Since then, migrant sea arrivals in Europe have declined, and so have drownings, but many migrants returned to Libya face abusive detention.

A year after the Italy-Libya migrant deal: Fewer deaths at sea but persistent abuse on land
At the headquarters of Kouraj, a prominent LGBT rights group in Haiti. Outside, the office is unmarked.

Why it's gotten harder for LGBT people in Haiti since the earthquake

Last summer, Haiti’s senate passed legislation that would further curb LGBT rights. It was just the latest in a series of incidents that LGBT Haitians say shows an increasingly hostile attitude toward their community.

Why it's gotten harder for LGBT people in Haiti since the earthquake
a man standing before a ravine and waterfall in Yellowstone National Park.

A Syrian with Temporary Protected Status says it's a matter of life or death

The Trump Administration announced Wednesday that Temporary Protected Status for Syrians will be extended for 18 months beyond its expiration date in March. TPS has enabled a young Syrian man named Amr Sinna to live, work, study and buy property in the US. He's been anxiously awaiting yesterday's announcement, along with almost 7,000 other Syrians living in the US with TPS.

A Syrian with Temporary Protected Status says it's a matter of life or death
Corinne Joachim Sanon went back to Haiti to start a business, and she located her business, Askanya Chcolatiers, in the house where her grandmother grew up.

Eight years after the earthquake, a different taste of Haiti

After the 2010 earthquake devasted Haiti, there was an outpouring of international support. Eight years later, most of those who rushed in to help are long gone. But many of those who remain are people with ties to Haiti, and ome of them started businesses that are getting some traction.

Eight years after the earthquake, a different taste of Haiti