Valeria Fernández

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.

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

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

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

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

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 

A therapists' network supports immigrants, advocates during pandemic 
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

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
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

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.

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

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.

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

“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.

An American family finds their way in Mexico after deportation
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

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

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

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

He’s been deported twice. This third time, his family is leaving the US with him.
People sitting on pavement holding hands

Attorney says woman deported from Phoenix might have had her conviction overturned

Federal authorities had previously granted Guadalupe Garcia permission to stay in the US. There is a federal civil rights case against Phoenix’s former sheriff and the types of raids that she was swept up in.

Attorney says woman deported from Phoenix might have had her conviction overturned
A train in a green field with someone standing on the top of a car

Advocates suggest another option for US-bound Central Americans: Stay and work in Mexico

Mexico is becoming a destination for Central American migrants who apply for “humanitarian” visas to avoid deportation and secure employment. But the promise of higher-paid work in the US remains a powerful lure.

Advocates suggest another option for US-bound Central Americans: Stay and work in Mexico
Bodies and feet of two young people, one pregnant

On the way to the US, children seeking asylum are often put in Mexico’s detention centers

Mexico detains most unaccompanied migrant children in jail-like facilities, even though the country’s laws forbid it.

On the way to the US, children seeking asylum are often put in Mexico’s detention centers
Sign in front of center

Moms go on a hunger strike to get themselves and their kids out of immigration detention

After two weeks of skipping meals, the women are taking a short break. But they say will resume if the government does not consider their pleas to be released.

Moms go on a hunger strike to get themselves and their kids out of immigration detention
An illustration of two children with there mother, hand pointing

These asylum-seekers are being forced to raise their kids in immigration 'jails'

Even short-term stays in immigration detention can be harmful to children, say mental health experts. So why does the US government still hold young asylum-seekers?

These asylum-seekers are being forced to raise their kids in immigration 'jails'