Ashley Cleek

Ashley Cleek is a reporter and producer working on stories about law and immigration. She's reported stories for PRI in Turkey, India, Ukraine and Russia, and across the US. She lives in New York but still calls Alabama home.

Ashley Cleek is a reporter and producer working on stories about law and immigration. She's reported stories for PRI in Turkey, India, Ukraine and Russia, and across the US. She lives in New York but still calls Alabama home.

Woman against white wall holding up certificate that shows nursing credentials

For this nurse trained abroad, working at a US hospital is years away

Only 40 percent of nurses trained abroad pass the US licensing exam the first time. But educators say it’s not because they aren’t qualified.

For this nurse trained abroad, working at a US hospital is years away
Young girl, shown from behind, with arms outstreched, in room in home

The government says it will help reunite families they separated at the border — but not all of them

The government says it will help reunite families they separated at the border — but not all of them
Letter from US government in focus, being held up by a man who is out of focus behind it

The government says Border Patrol agents in the Southwest speak Spanish — but many migrants speak Indigenous languages

The government says Border Patrol agents in the Southwest speak Spanish — but many migrants speak Indigenous languages
Girl in room with Mother's Day balloon in front of her face

This mother, already deported, doesn’t know if she’ll ever be reunited with the daughter taken from her at the US border

This mother, already deported, doesn’t know if she’ll ever be reunited with the daughter taken from her at the US border
Young girl walking on lawn, holding teddy bears

For this mother and daughter, separated a year ago at the southern border, Trump's ‘zero-tolerance’ policy isn’t new

For this mother and daughter, separated a year ago at the southern border, Trump's ‘zero-tolerance’ policy isn’t new
Blurry image of woman in pink hodded sweatshirt standing in front of window, with reflection of trees

With smuggling costs skyrocketing, parents balance risk and debt for their children's future

The cost of smuggling has gone up in the last year — sharply. But, for the safety of their children, parents get references, take out loans and make the best smuggling decision they can.

With smuggling costs skyrocketing, parents balance risk and debt for their children's future
DHS bus

The complicated reasons why some people overstay their US visas

For some people, overstaying their visa was never the plan. Rather, it is the result of one, or several, extenuating circumstances that convince immigrants they cannot or do not want to return to their countries.

The complicated reasons why some people overstay their US visas
Family of six sitting closely together on a sofa

The courts called him a terrorist, but one judge and several politicians want him to be able to stay in the US

Depending on whom you ask, Malachy McAllister is either an Irish terrorist or a persecuted asylum seeker. Either way, he’s been facing deportation for 10 years.

The courts called him a terrorist, but one judge and several politicians want him to be able to stay in the US
Emory

Weighing the risks of a 'sanctuary' campus

With some students worrying more about deportation, the pressure on campuses to declare themselves safe spaces is intensifying. But not everyone is on board.

Weighing the risks of a 'sanctuary' campus
Bodega

Bodegas — a sacred New York institution — are always open. But they weren't on Thursday.

On Thursday, Yemeni bodega owners in New York declared a strike: They would close for eight hours, from noon to 8 p.m., in protest of Trump's immigration and refugee restrictions.

Bodegas — a sacred New York institution — are always open. But they weren't on Thursday.
JFK

This green card holder is trying not to panic, but she's making back-up plans

Denise Ajiri has legal permanent residence in the US. She cannot go back to Iran because she is a journalist who has worked for US-government backed media.

This green card holder is trying not to panic, but she's making back-up plans
Guengueng

How this torture survivor from Chad made good on 'a pact with God'

Souleymane Guengueng, at home in the Bronx, once helped imprison a brutal former president of Chad. Now, he hopes to teach others how he did it.

How this torture survivor from Chad made good on 'a pact with God'
Das

Some persecuted writers get a new life in the US. But exile isn't easy.

For a writer from Bangladesh, life in Pittsburgh is safer. But he feels that “I am in exile not just physically, my mind is also in exile.”

Some persecuted writers get a new life in the US. But exile isn't easy.
Conflict

This Pittsburgh restaurant offers takeout and a side of politics

Craving some Koobideh from Iran? Arepas from Venezuela? Head to Pittsburgh’s Conflict Kitchen, where a rotating menu features food from countries in conflict with the United States.

This Pittsburgh restaurant offers takeout and a side of politics
Industry City salsa party

A Puerto Rican enclave in Brooklyn confronts the realities of rising prices and gentrification

Antoinette Martinez grew up in Sunset Park with her extended Puerto Rican family. But with real estate values skyrocketing, there's no way she'll ever be able to get her own place in the neighborhood.

A Puerto Rican enclave in Brooklyn confronts the realities of rising prices and gentrification