Jude Joffe-Block

Jude Joffe-Block is a senior field correspondent with member station KJZZ in Phoenix, Arizona and a reporter for Fronteras Desk, a public radio collaboration focused on demographic change and border issues in the Southwest.

Jude Joffe-Block is a senior field correspondent with member station KJZZ in Phoenix, Arizona. She is also a reporter for Fronteras Desk, a public radio collaboration focused on demographic change and border issues in the Southwest.

A woman holds a visibly distraught woman with her face in her hand.

Arizona volunteers form ‘underground’ network to house migrants released by ICE

In last three months, ICE has released some 107,000 migrant parents and children in Texas, Arizona and California, many without next steps in place. Shelters, churches and volunteers have stepped in to help these families get to their next destinations. Most are trying to join relatives and friends elsewhere.

Arizona volunteers form ‘underground’ network to house migrants released by ICE
A young man sits at a table and talks with his mother.

Getting legal status opened the path to college for this Arizona immigrant family

Getting legal status opened the path to college for this Arizona immigrant family
A group of young people walk in front of the Arizona state Capitol.

As DACA fix remains elusive, Arizona ‘Dreamers’ focus on in-state tuition

As DACA fix remains elusive, Arizona ‘Dreamers’ focus on in-state tuition
US Army soldiers install razor wire

US troops’ arrival prompts unease on both sides of the border in Arizona

US troops’ arrival prompts unease on both sides of the border in Arizona
Carmen Pérez Noyola, holding an envelope, prepares to mail in her ballot from Phoenix for the July 1 presidential election in Mexico.

From the US, Mexican expats root for a 'change' candidate in presidential elections

From the US, Mexican expats root for a 'change' candidate in presidential elections
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After Arpaio guilty verdict, immigrant advocates want his legacy dismantled

The man known as "America's toughest sheriff" will face a maximum penalty of six months in federal prison when he is sentenced in October.

After Arpaio guilty verdict, immigrant advocates want his legacy dismantled
Arpaio

Immigrants in Arizona are campaigning to oust a controversial sheriff

Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio has earned friends and foes nationwide for his tough stance on illegal immigration. Now, immigrants and their allies in several US states are mobilizing to get him out of office.

Immigrants in Arizona are campaigning to oust a controversial sheriff
Arpaio sits on a folding chair in a gym

What you need to know about the criminal case against Sheriff Joe Arpaio

US Department of Justice lawyers said in federal court Tuesday they will pursue criminal contempt of court charges against Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio for his violation of a federal judge’s order in a racial profiling case.

What you need to know about the criminal case against Sheriff Joe Arpaio
Vitomir Spiric in his home in Phoenix.

A Bosnian Serb in Phoenix says he's been labeled a war criminal without ever being tried or convicted

Twenty years after the massacre at Srebrenica, the US aims to deport Bosnian immigrants suspected of involvement. But one Bosnian Serb facing deportation says he's been unfairly labeled a war criminal.

A Bosnian Serb in Phoenix says he's been labeled a war criminal without ever being tried or convicted
A group of Serbian-speaking men have a leisurely lunch at the Q2 Café in Phoenix. The café, run by a Bosnian Serb refugee, aims to attract patrons from all parts of the former Yugoslavia.

Brutal enemies 20 years ago, they're learning to get along. In Phoenix.

It's been 20 years since the Bosnian War, but some of the ethnic tensions that fueled that conflict live on among Bosnian refugees in Phoenix, Arizona.

Brutal enemies 20 years ago, they're learning to get along. In Phoenix.
Graffiti of the letters "MS", which stand for the street gang Mara Salvatrucha, photographed in San Salvador on April 22, 2014. Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) and Calle 18 are rival gangs that started in Los Angeles but now have a heavy presence in El Salvador.

Gang violence awaits a teen from El Salvador after his failed attempts to reach the US

José has already tried to escape from El Salvador to the US this summer — twice. But he's failed each time, and now he's dodging gang violence at home while trying to make yet another attempt to leave.

Gang violence awaits a teen from El Salvador after his failed attempts to reach the US
El Salvador_deportation

Families that are deported after crossing the border say they return home feeling hopeless and desperate

This year, an increasing number of Central American attempted to enter the US illegally. Now, as many are deported back home, there are concerns that due process was not served while they were held in detention facilities in the United States.

Families that are deported after crossing the border say they return home feeling hopeless and desperate
Young migrants from Central America held at the US Customs and Border Protection (CPB) Nogales Placement Center in Nogales, Arizona, on June 18, 2014. US officials provided media tours of two locations in Brownsville, Texas, and Nogales, that have been ce

With young Central Americans fleeing to the US, history seems to be repeating itself

There was another exodus from Central America. It happened in the 1980s, when almost one million Guatemalans and Salvadorans fled to the US to escape civil war. And a group of American activists and religious leaders took big risks to help them stay.

With young Central Americans fleeing to the US, history seems to be repeating itself
Maricopa County Sheriff's Office has its own helicopters for search and rescue operations, including some rescues of recent border crossers who call 911 dispatchers in the county.

When migrants crossing the US-Mexico border get into trouble, 911 is there

The US-Mexico border is an unforgiving place, where weather can shift quickly from blazing heat to freezing nights. And even those trying to cross into the US illegally will call 911 when they are scared, suffering and need help.

When migrants crossing the US-Mexico border get into trouble, 911 is there

Some immigrants sour on plan for path to citizenship in immigration reform bill

The Senate on Thursday approved a bipartisan immigration reform bill that would grant a path to citizenship to undocumented immigrants. Some immigrants who came to the United States previously, however, say it's not fair that these immigrants get a special pass.

Some immigrants sour on plan for path to citizenship in immigration reform bill