Hundreds of Central American journalists have gone into exile in Costa Rica because they consider it a safe country for journalism. But, the situation has taken a turn as press freedom and security in that country has worsened. Some exiled journalists have decided to seek refuge in other countries and to leave the profession.
The U.S. Board of Immigration Appeals ruled that journalist Emilio Gutiérrez Soto, who was denied asylum after he fled Mexico in 2008 due to threats related to his reporting, was eligible for asylum. Organizations consider the decision a landmark that sets an important precedent for journalists’ safety and press freedom in the region.
Salvadoran journalist Manuel Durán was released from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention on July 11 more than one year after his arrest while covering an immigration protest.
The Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) ordered the reopening of the case of journalist Manuel Durán, who said he fled El Salvador in 2006 due to death threats because of his journalistic work.
U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell, a Democrat from Michigan, introduced a private bill in Congress to grant Mexican journalist Emilio Gutiérrez Soto an immigrant visa or permanent resident status after his asylum case was denied in February.
A U.S. immigration judge has again denied asylum for a Mexican journalist who fled his country a decade ago out of fear for his life.
Mexican journalist Emilio Gutiérrez Soto again requested asylum for himself and his son in an El Paso immigration court, 10 years after they turned themselves into a checkpoint at the U.S.-Mexico border and more than a year after their claim was denied.
A Texas immigration judge denied bail to Cuban journalist Serafín Morán Santiago, who has been in a detention center in that state since April 12 when he arrived in U.S. territory, according to the organization Fundamedios US.
Press freedom organizations are calling attention to the case of independent Cuban journalist Serafín Morán Santiago who was detained in the U.S. after arriving to seek asylum in the country.
Mexican reporter Emilio Gutiérrez Soto, who is seeking asylum in the U.S., was released by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in El Paso on the afternoon of July 26 after seven months in detention.