Investigative Reporter
New York, NY
Seth Freed Wessler is a reporter in New York who currently writes for Colorlines.com. Seth has reported from across the United States, Mexico and the Caribbean on immigration, the safety net, criminal justice, national security and the human fallout of the financial collapse.
Seth led a groundbreaking investigation that revealed the thousands of U.S. citizen children stuck in foster care whose parents have been detained or deported by federal immigration authorities. The investigation, for which Seth won a Hillman Prize and other honors, Along with Seth's series of follow-up stories, led to a direct response from the federal government, as well as the passage of state-level legislation. Seth worked until 2012 as a researcher for the Applied Research Center, where he authored research reports on racial inequality and the financial collapse, segregation in the restaurant industry and the corrosive effects of immigration policies on child welfare systems. Seth often discusses his reporting in national broadcast, and his stories and investigations for Colorlines have been cited by outlets including the Associated Press, the New York Times, The Los Angeles Times and NPR. He has produced stories for GOOD Magazine, the Texas Observer, NPR’s LatinoUSA, The Huffington Post, The Root and other outlets. In addition to the Hillman Prize, Seth was a finalist for a Casey Medal and has won several Ippies Awards. He was the recipient of a reporting fellowship from USC Annenberg's Institute for Justice and Journalism.
Check out Seth's media appearances here.
Seth tweets at @sethfw.
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A Year After SB 1070, the Deportation Pipeline Still Begins in Washington
by Seth Freed Wessler on April 25 2011, 10:52AM
From Arizona to Georgia, states are vying to make draconian policy. But the feds still set the rules that are deporting a record number of people.
Topics: Arizona's SB 1070, Immigration, SB 1070 Copycats
Welcome to the Wild, Wild South: Georgia Passes SB 1070 Copycat Bill
by Seth Freed Wessler on April 15 2011, 1:23PM
All eyes now move to a small handful of other states where similar bills may still pass.
Topics: Immigration, SB 1070 Copycats
Arizona SB 1070 Copycats Fall Flat in Most State Legislatures
by Seth Freed Wessler on March 31 2011, 12:37PM
Nearly half of the bills have died, and many of the remaining are expected to fail as well. But all eyes are on Georgia as the potential next Arizona.
Topics: Arizona's SB 1070, Immigration, SB 1070 Copycats
Bills Modeled After Arizona’s SB 1070 Spread Through States
by Seth Freed Wessler on March 2 2011, 10:33AM
The copycat legislation is just the beginning, however. States have introduced a record number of anti-immigrant bills this year.
Topics: Immigration
U.S. Set to Resume Deportations to Haiti
by Seth Freed Wessler on January 14 2011, 11:30AM
And the situation’s worse for people with even minor criminal convictions.
Topics: Global Affairs, Haiti
Hostile State Battles Now Define Immigration Debate
by Seth Freed Wessler on January 6 2011, 11:11AM
Never mind Capitol Hill. The future of immigration in America may well be decided at the state and local level.
Topics: 14th Amendment, Immigration
Holder to Muslim Americans: There’s No “Entrapment” in FBI Stings
by Seth Freed Wessler on December 13 2010, 5:15PM
Yet, the number of people lured into terrorist plots and organizations by the FBI keeps growing.
Topics: National Security
Court Tells ICE to Stop “Dragging Its Feet” on Document Release
by Seth Freed Wessler on December 13 2010, 11:20AM
Advocates await clarity on whether a controversial deportation program was crafted as mandatory or voluntary for localities.
Topics: Immigration
The Feds Are Cultivating Their Own “Homegrown Terrorists”
by Seth Freed Wessler on December 10 2010, 5:15PM
And they’re profiling American Muslims to do it.
Topics: National Security
Supreme Court Weighs Case That’s Likely Precursor to SB 1070
by Seth Freed Wessler on December 10 2010, 12:08PM
How justices rule on another Arizona law may signal fate for all state-level immigration enforcement challenges.
Topics: Arizona's SB 1070, Immigration
Gov. Paterson’s Mixed Messages on New York Deportations
by Seth Freed Wessler on December 8 2010, 11:41AM
His symbolic pardons point to the deportation dragnet’s problems, but at the same time he’s welcomed its expansion in his state.
Topics: Immigration
Report Shows How Far ICE Goes to Make Obama a Deportation Hawk
by Seth Freed Wessler on December 7 2010, 11:45AM
The agency bent the rules to drive up its numbers.
Topics: Immigration
Hunger-Strike DREAMers: “Our Future Is On the Line”
by Seth Freed Wessler on December 1 2010, 5:56PM
As Texas stand-off intensifies, hunger strikes pop up in more states.
Topics: DREAM Act
D.C.’s Trading Games Leave Jobless Workers Out
by Seth Freed Wessler on December 1 2010, 12:30PM
While jobless workers wait for relief, the White House compromises away any hopes.
Topics: Economy
It’s the Final Hour for Congress to Support Jobless Workers
by Seth Freed Wessler on November 29 2010, 9:58AM
With a cost-cutting GOP coming to town, this may be the last benefit extension for millions out of work.
Topics: Economy
Dozens of DREAMers Join Texas Hunger Strike
by Seth Freed Wessler on November 24 2010, 11:00AM
Meanwhile, racial anxiety fuels GOP backlash.
Topics: DREAM Act
Deportation Hawks Target Green Card Lottery
by Seth Freed Wessler on November 23 2010, 3:06PM
Now one of the only working immigration visa programs is under attack too.
Topics: Immigration
Immigration Officials Still Can’t Make Up Their Minds
by Seth Freed Wessler on November 22 2010, 2:19PM
Officials keep telling different sides of the same story.
Topics: Immigration
The Real Election Story is in the States—and It’s Not a Happy Tale
by Seth Freed Wessler on November 22 2010, 10:52AM
With budgets already in crisis, public programs face a bleak future.
Topics: Election: Now What?, Wisconsin
Introducing “9500 Liberty”—and the Power of Language
by Seth Freed Wessler on November 18 2010, 12:17PM
Get this documentary, hold a watch party and share the lesson of why it’s crucial we all pledge to Drop the I-Word. Sign the pledge today!
Topics: Drop the I-Word
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