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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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
Where Does Immigration Reform Begin for Same-Sex Couples?
by Seth Freed Wessler on January 14 2013, 8:40AM
As many eyes turn to the Supreme Court’s ruling on federal recognition, advocates are also working to include LGBT rights in the upcoming reform bill.
Topics: Gender & Sexuality, Immigration, Immigration Reform
What to Expect From Immigration Reform, and When to Expect It
by Seth Freed Wessler on January 7 2013, 9:01AM
The fiscal fight isn’t nearly done, but Senate insiders say immigration reform is moving ahead all the same. Here’s a primer for the who, what, when—and why.
Topics: Immigration, Immigration Reform
Rep. Gutierrez: Stop Deporting Parents as Reform Debate Unfolds
by Seth Freed Wessler on December 18 2012, 9:55AM
After new data reveals rapid pace of parental deportation, key congressional leader and advocates pressure President Obama to broaden his DREAM Act order.
Topics: Immigration, Immigration Reform, Felipe Montes
Nearly 205K Deportations of Parents of U.S. Citizens in Just Over Two Years
by Seth Freed Wessler on December 17 2012, 9:45AM
New data obtained by Colorlines.com shows the disturbing pace of parental deportation has not changed, despite ICE vow to use greater “discretion.”
Topics: Immigration, Immigration Reform, Felipe Montes
Primary Data: Deportations of Parents of U.S. Citizen Kids
by Seth Freed Wessler on December 17 2012, 9:30AM
The full data set on parental deportations, obtained from Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Topics: Immigration
Post-Election, State GOP Leaders Still Push Drug Testing the Poor
by Seth Freed Wessler on December 12 2012, 10:12AM
The wave of laws that have swept the country since 2010 has clearly not crested, despite court challenges and evidence that drug testing dramatically increases costs.
Michigan Police Don Riot Gear and Pepper Spray As Workers Protest Anti-Union Laws
by Seth Freed Wessler on December 11 2012, 5:27PM
Pro-union protesters in Lansing today were met by Michigan State Police in riot gear and wielding pepper spray.
Michigan Poised to Become 24th ‘Right-to-Work’ State
by Seth Freed Wessler on December 7 2012, 12:35PM
It’s payback time for Michigan’s Republicans.
A Fast Food Nation Fights for Living Wages—Against Long Odds
by Seth Freed Wessler on December 7 2012, 10:16AM
Saavedra Jantuah joined last week’s strike of New York City fast food workers, the latest in a string of efforts to organize the new service economy’s low-wage workers. She knows she now has a long road ahead.
Topics: Economy
Terrorism Suspect Pleads in Yet Another NYPD Case Riddled With Questions
by Seth Freed Wessler on December 5 2012, 10:44AM
The city’s ongoing use of informants to create terror plots it can then prosecute raised concerns of even the FBI in Ahmed Ferhani’s case.
Topics: Criminal Justice, NYPD Spying, National Security
The Nightmare of War Finds an Outlet in Jazz, Poetry from Vets
by Seth Freed Wessler on November 30 2012, 9:19AM
Musician Mike Ladd and jazz pianist and composer Vijay Iyer explore the emotional toll of war on veterans of color.
Topics: Arts & Culture, Global Affairs, National Security
Arizona Sued for Denying Driver’s Licenses to Immigrant Youth
by Seth Freed Wessler on November 29 2012, 12:06PM
A coalition of civil rights groups filed a class action suit in federal court today, challenging Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer’s executive order denying drivers licenses to young undocumented immigrants granted work permits through President Obama’s deferred action program.
Topics: DREAM Act, Immigration, /NOW Blog
A Deported Father Wins a Long, Painful Fight to Keep His Kids
by Seth Freed Wessler on November 28 2012, 9:53AM
Felipe Montes’s story drew national attention and rare federal intervention not because it is unique, but because it is increasingly common.
Topics: Immigration, Felipe Montes
Spanish-Speaker Spends Months Locked Up After Interpreter Dies
by Seth Freed Wessler on November 28 2012, 9:35AM
If you’re fluent in English and Spanish and looking for a job, Mississippi needs you.
Topics: Criminal Justice, /NOW Blog
Felipe Montes Reunited With His Children, On Trial Basis
by Seth Freed Wessler on November 27 2012, 1:52PM
Felipe Montes, an immigrant father who lost his three children to foster care when he was deported two years ago, was provisionally reunited with his three young children today in a North Carolina court. “The court cannot find that the…
Topics: /NOW Blog
Man Sentenced to 3 Years For Leading Mississippi Prison Riot
by Seth Freed Wessler on November 20 2012, 9:35AM
Juan Lopez-Fuentes became the first inmate to be sentenced for a riot that rattled a Mississippi federal prison in May.
Topics: Criminal Justice, Immigration, /NOW Blog
Felipe Montes Enters Final Day Of Testimony In Fight For His Kids
by Seth Freed Wessler on November 20 2012, 9:12AM
One deported man’s struggle to regain parental custody of his children enters its final stage.
Topics: /NOW Blog, Felipe Montes
Texas Governor Wants Welfare, Unemployment Applicants To Pee In A Cup
by Seth Freed Wessler on November 16 2012, 8:37AM
Texas is poised to join the drug-testing bandwagon.
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