Washington

Workers are shown in the kitchen of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility in Tacoma, Washington, during a media tour, Sept. 10, 2019.

A federal jury ruled that a Washington state detention center owes detainees minimum wage

It's a fight that's years in the making for immigrant rights advocates and current and former detainees, who would also qualify for back pay for work they did inside the prison.

A federal jury ruled that a Washington state detention center owes detainees minimum wage
Several businesses in Point Roberts display this sign of solidarity, seen here inside Point Roberts International Marketplace.

US-Canadian border restrictions prove ‘soul-crushing’ for businesses in isolated Point Roberts

US-Canadian border restrictions prove ‘soul-crushing’ for businesses in isolated Point Roberts
Prince Hamzah waves, wearing a military uniform walks with his bride, Prince Noor, wearing a white wedding dress and they both smile.

Royal tumult in Jordan comes at a time of economic hardship

Royal tumult in Jordan comes at a time of economic hardship
Eight square-size pictures of young men and women appear over a white background.

2020 Election: The voting power of Latino youth

2020 Election: The voting power of Latino youth
The Supreme Court of Canada is seen in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, Nov. 4, 2019.

Do US-living descendants of tribes in Canada have rights north of the border?

Do US-living descendants of tribes in Canada have rights north of the border?
Michelle Aguilar Ramirez stands for a portrait in South Seattle, Washington, May 18, 2020.

Young US Latinos are at the forefront of a climate revolution

More than half of Generation Z believes climate change is tied to human activity, and one in four Gen Zers is Latino. These trends set up young Latinos to be a key demographic leading the charge on climate activism — politically and at home. 

Young US Latinos are at the forefront of a climate revolution
A woman sings while holding a music book in her hands in a soccer field six-feet away from another singer.

Choirs in the age of coronavirus: A new study looks at the risks of singing

Are choirs really dangerous in the age of COVID-19? A new study measures the actual number of particles sprayed while singing the classic song "Happy Birthday." Jonathan Reid, a chemistry professor leading the research at Bristol University, speaks to host Marco Werman about the study.

Choirs in the age of coronavirus: A new study looks at the risks of singing
Michelle Aguilar Ramirez stands for a portrait on Monday, May 18, 2020, in South Seattle, Wash.

This Latina first-time voter ‘can’t stay mute’ about racism

And as the pandemic hit this spring, Michelle Aguilar Ramirez, a young Latina in South Seattle, lost her interest in politics. But the Black Lives Matter protests have reignited her commitment. 

This Latina first-time voter ‘can’t stay mute’ about racism
US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents look at women and children

Trump proposes harsh asylum rules disqualifying many applicants

The proposal includes a number of changes that would make it more difficult for applicants to gain asylum in the US — including changing which applicants would get asylum hearings in the first place.

Trump proposes harsh asylum rules disqualifying many applicants
A close-up portrait of Michelle Aguilar Ramirez, a young Latina who will vote for the first time in November.

Pandemic stress overshadows US election for this young Latina voter

For Michelle Aguilar Ramirez, a high school junior in Washington state, the pandemic has changed how she views the world around her — including US politics and the November presidential election.

Pandemic stress overshadows US election for this young Latina voter
Delia Ramirez, a restaurant worker, hangs aprons to dry at her home in the Bella-B Mobile Home Park, where owner Yacov Sinai decreased rents to help residents in difficult economic situations due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Young Latino voters in Seattle view November election through lens of pandemic

Blacks and Latinos are more likely than whites to be considered "essential workers" and to be diagnosed with COVID-19 — and to die of the disease. Those experiences are shaping how people from those groups will vote in the November presidential election.

Young Latino voters in Seattle view November election through lens of pandemic
People gather around a coffin on a boat

Mourning in the midst of a pandemic

The coronavirus has fundamentally changed how we live our lives, but perhaps most heartbreakingly, how we deal with death. Around the world, centuries-old burial rituals are being stopped. Gatherings to mourn someone’s death are limited. Even something as simple as a hug for a grieving friend is now essentially out of bounds.

Mourning in the midst of a pandemic
A detainee talks with an employee in an exam room in the medial unit during a media tour at Northwest ICE Processing Center

ICE gets sued to release immigrant detainees amid COVID-19 pandemic

There are urgent calls from immigrant and civil rights organizations for US Immigration and Customs Enforcement to release the most vulnerable immigrant detainees — at least — for health safety reasons amid the continued spread of the novel coronavirus. 

ICE gets sued to release immigrant detainees amid COVID-19 pandemic
Signs direct voters at a polling place in the state's presidential primary election in Greenfield, New Hampshire, Feb. 11, 2020.

MIT researchers sound alarm over voting app’s security flaws

The app, which was created by the Boston-based mobile voting company Voatz, is currently available to some overseas and military voters registered in states that allow for the electronic return of absentee ballots through fax and email.

MIT researchers sound alarm over voting app’s security flaws
Voters wait in line to cast their votes at the Bicentennial Elementary School in New Hampshire's first-in-the-nation US presidential primary election in Nashua, New Hampshire, Feb. 11, 2020.

Despite security concerns, online voting is happening in 2020

Election officials say the goal is to make the voting process easier and the ballot box more accessible to overseas and military voters who face unique obstacles when they try to vote.

Despite security concerns, online voting is happening in 2020