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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Florida’s Welfare Drug Testing Law Struck Down by Federal Appeals Court
by Seth Freed Wessler on February 26 2013, 1:04PM
A federal appeals court today struck a blow to a 2011 Florida law requiring drug tests for all applicants to the state’s welfare program.
Topics: /NOW Blog
WTF, ICE? A Week’s Worth of Troubling Immigration Revelations
by Seth Freed Wessler on February 22 2013, 9:18AM
Immigration reform is moving ahead, sort of. But that hasn’t stopped federal immigration enforcers and those who profit off of it from steamrolling everything around.
Topics: Immigration, Immigration Reform
Deported Father’s Case Ends As Congress Debates Immigration Changes
by Seth Freed Wessler on February 19 2013, 2:15PM
Felipe Montes, who lost his three U.S.-citizens sons when he was deported to Mexico in December 2010 will regain custody of his children.
Topics: Immigration, Immigration Reform, /NOW Blog
CEO of Largest Private Prison Company: No Worries About Immigration Reform
by Seth Freed Wessler on February 14 2013, 4:26PM
On a call for investors on Thursday, the president and CEO of the Corrections Corporation of America (CCA), the country’s largest private prison contractor, said that he’s not concerned about the impact that immigration reform might have on the immigration…
Topics: Immigration Reform, /NOW Blog
Marco Rubio’s Impossible Task: Make Racism Palatable to Latinos
by Seth Freed Wessler on February 14 2013, 10:08AM
The ambitious, young senator hews closely to the GOP’s far right on nearly every issue. But Republicans believe a rhetorical shift on immigration alone will bring Latinos into the fold.
Topics: Immigration Reform, Marco Rubio, Politics
5 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Drones in the U.S.
by Seth Freed Wessler, Jamilah King on February 13 2013, 10:33AM
No, the LAPD didn’t use a drone to track and kill Christopher Dorner. But the devices are still being used in some very unsettling ways to track U.S. citizens on American soil.
Topics: Criminal Justice, National Security
Senate Immigration Hearing Will Feature Jose Antonio Vargas
by Seth Freed Wessler on February 11 2013, 3:40PM
After months of back room immigration reform talks on the Hill and declarations of broad principles for legislative overhaul from elected officials and the president, the Senate Judiciary Committee will hold its opening hearing on immigration this week. The hearing…
Topics: /NOW Blog
At Least Eight States Have Already Considered Welfare Drug Tests This Year
by Seth Freed Wessler on February 7 2013, 4:26PM
In the first few weeks of the new legislative sessions, lawmakers in at least 8 states have proposed bills to impose drug tests on applicants to family safety net programs. Last year I reported that Republican state legislators went on…
Topics: /NOW Blog
DREAMers Say Obama’s Not Off the Hook for Record Deportations
by Seth Freed Wessler on February 6 2013, 1:56PM
DREAMers say Obama’s not off the hook for record deportations.
Topics: Immigration, Immigration Reform, /NOW Blog
How Immigration Reform Could Expand Incarceration of Immigrants
by Seth Freed Wessler on February 6 2013, 9:47AM
On it’s face, reform would mean fewer immigrants locked up. But House GOP and private prison operators are working to make sure that’s not the case.
Topics: Criminal Justice, Immigration Reform
Rep. Conyers at Immigration Hearing: Don’t Say ‘Illegal Immigrant’
by Seth Freed Wessler on February 5 2013, 12:30PM
Conyers is the ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee.
Topics: /NOW Blog
Get Ready to Rumble: House Names Tomorrow’s Immigration Panel Speakers
by Seth Freed Wessler on February 4 2013, 1:13PM
Let’s get ready to rumble.
Topics: /NOW Blog
Obama Delivers Predictable Immigration Speech, Silent on Easing Record Deportations
by Seth Freed Wessler on January 29 2013, 3:41PM
It’s finally here.
Topics: /NOW Blog
A Striking New Consensus on Immigration Reform—Thus Far
by Seth Freed Wessler on January 29 2013, 9:56AM
Washington may be headed to the most significant immigration overhaul in generations. But an old debate looms: When is the border secure enough?
Topics: Immigration, Immigration Reform
Senate Takes First Step on Immigration With Bi-Partisan Plan
by Seth Freed Wessler on January 28 2013, 10:08AM
A group of Senators who have been meeting about reform since the election will release its principles for reform today.
Topics: Immigration, Immigration Reform
Obama Meets With Congressional Hispanic Caucus
by Seth Freed Wessler on January 25 2013, 1:06PM
President Obama met with members Congressional Hispanic Caucus this morning to discuss plans for immigration reform.
Topics: Immigration Reform, /NOW Blog
Dems ‘Have A Dance Partner’ on Immigration, But Is It Two-Step or Jazz?
by Seth Freed Wessler on January 23 2013, 8:59AM
With Marco Rubio’s plan looking an awful lot like the White House’s, the real question is how will we get there and what gets lost along the way.
Topics: Immigration, Immigration Reform
Majority of Voters of Every Race Support Comprehensive Immigration Reform
by Seth Freed Wessler on January 18 2013, 3:48PM
According to a new bi-partisan poll, voters across racial, geographic and, perhaps most significantly, partisan lines, want Congress to pass an immigration bill.
Topics: Immigration Reform, /NOW Blog
What Obama’s Gun Plan Means For Mental Health Care
by Seth Freed Wessler on January 17 2013, 8:52AM
There’s scant evidence of a link between mental illness and violence. Still, advocates say, the mental health system desperately needs more resources and attention.
Obama Admin. Again Promises Immigration Reform And Path To Citizenship
by Seth Freed Wessler on January 14 2013, 3:20PM
White House officials say the president will seek a comprehensive reform bill that includes a path to citizenship for millions of undocumented immigrants living in the country.
Topics: /NOW Blog
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