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Valeria Fernández

Valeria is a multi-lingual freelance reporter who contributes stories to PRI's The World.

Valeria Fernández is an independent journalist from Uruguay with more than a decade experience as a bilingual documentary producer and reporter on Arizona’s immigrant community and the US-Mexico borderlands.Her award-winning, independent reporting has focused on topics ranging from migrant kidnappings to racial profiling. Fernández also contributes with Radio Bilingue, CNN Spanish and Al Jazeera English, and has been published by newsrooms such as The Associated Press. In 2012, she produced the documentary “Two Americans,” which contrasts Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio and a 9-year-old US citizen trying to stop her parents’ deportation. In 2014, she was a director in the international award winning web documentary “Connected Walls,” about life along the US-Mexico and Morocco-Spain  borderlands.In 2015, she was a producer and reporter for the Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting on a project that cast light on the economic and social impacts of a mine spill in Northern Mexico that broadcast in PBS, San Diego. The multi-media project won an Arizona Press Club recognition for environmental reporting.This year she is a fellow of the "Bringing Home the World" fellowship of the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ).

Before the pandemic, each student in the Uruguayan public system already had a personal computer under Plan Ceibal, which started in 2007. 

Uruguay’s virtual education was ahead of the curve when the pandemic hit

Education

The country’s Plan Ceibal program had already been supplying students with tablets and computers for 15 years.

A pregnant person wearing a red shirt holds her belly, wearing a face mask and gloves.

For pregnant women, getting the COVID-19 jab is a challenging choice

Commentary
A girl wearing a pink shirt drinks a beverage with her mother, wearing a grey shirt, outdoors at a table.

Immigrant communities connect with Indigenous products to nurture, heal during pandemic

Two people stand at a protest with a loud speaker in their hands.

A therapists’ network supports immigrants, advocates during pandemic 

Health
People stand on side of road in front of trees holding signs; one reads "Shut Down Berks"

Despite losing its state child care license — and years of claims of abuses — an immigrant family detention center in Pennsylvania made room for more families

Immigration
Photo of a photo of family in front of wall with penguins painted on it

The Mexican government says it will help people who are deported, but they often are left to make it on their own

Immigration

The president of Mexico told people deported from the US, “You’re not alone.” But Omar Blas Olvera felt alone trying to restart his life and put his family back together in Mexico.

Woman putting bills in public bus machine, with windshield behind her

She escaped violence in El Salvador, but there’s little time or resources to heal while seeking asylum in the US

Justice

The Trump administration wants immigrants to stop using public benefits, but many immigrants are already severely restricted from receiving assistance with food, health and child care. Even when they are at their most vulnerable.

Woman sitting at table with two small children, holding up phone with another woman on video call

An American family finds their way in Mexico after deportation

Global Politics

“We surrendered to a journey that was wonderful but forced upon us,” says Katerina Barron. She and her two children were born in the US and moved to Mexico after her husband was deported.

Overhead shot of crowd flanked by police SUVs, evening time

Phoenix residents take over city council meeting for five hours to protest police use of force

Justice

Speakers lined up to tell the mayor and council members what happened when they protested a Trump rally on Aug. 22.

Photograph of a black and white wedding photo, bride laughing in groom's arms

He’s been deported twice. This third time, his family is leaving the US with him.

Justice

Here’s what one family will do to stay together. We’re following their story.