The World from PRX

Portrait of womanVFN

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.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).
When the pandemic hit, Uruguay’s children had technology on hand
Healing through food
Therapy for immigrant communities
Before the pandemic, each student in the Uruguayan public system already had a personal computer under Plan Ceibal, which started in 2007. 
Education
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.
Commentary
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
Two people stand at a protest with a loud speaker in their hands.
Health
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"
Immigration
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
Immigration
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
Justice
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
Global Politics
An American family finds their way in Mexico after deportation
Overhead shot of crowd flanked by police SUVs, evening time
Justice
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
Justice
He’s been deported twice. This third time, his family is leaving the US with him.
People sitting on pavement holding hands
Justice
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
Conflict
Advocates suggest another option for US-bound Central Americans: Stay and work in Mexico
Bodies and feet of two young people, one pregnant
Justice
On the way to the US, children seeking asylum are often put in Mexico’s detention centers
Justice
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
Justice
These asylum-seekers are being forced to raise their kids in immigration ‘jails’
Sebastian Castro teaches a workshop on how to plant marijuana from trimmings in preparation for the new rules that would allow consumers to have up to 6 plants at home if they get licensed.
Global Politics
Pot growers in Uruguay come out of the shadows
Renata Teodoro (left) visits her mother, Gorete, in southern Brazil. Teodoro, 26, and her mother were photographed on the front page of the New York Times in June 2013 as they embraced through a metal fence on the US-Mexico border.
Global Politics
For a young, undocumented immigrant, a new program lets her live in the US and even visit her deported family
Renata Teodoro (left) visits her mother, Gorete, in southern Brazil. Teodoro, 26, and her mother were photographed on the front page of the New York Times in June 2013 as they embraced through a metal fence on the US-Mexico border.
Global Politics
For a young, undocumented immigrant, a new program lets her live in the US and even visit her deported family
"The Door of Lampedusa, Door of Europe" underscores the situation of refugees who arrive on Lampedusa as the entry point to the rest of Europe.
Conflict & Justice
The refugee tragedy at Lampedusa seems all too familiar to a reporter covering the US-Mexico border
Global Politics
Immigrants in Arizona face resistance to getting visas after being victims of crimes
Arts, Culture & Media
One Family’s View of Social Changes in Uruguay
Conflict & Justice
A judge blocks Arizona law provisions
Conflict & Justice
Arizona divided over immigration