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This is an in-depth online course designed to help journalists, editors, educators, student journalists and others understand how immigration works in the United States. Learn at your own pace and on your own time.
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After six in-depth lessons, participants will be able to:
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Immigration is woven into the fabric of American society. It’s also complex, politically polarized and ever-evolving. This six-part, self-directed course will give journalists a thorough understanding of immigration and immigrants in the United States, as well as the skills and resources to produce strong, accurate storytelling. 
Through readings and activities, you will evaluate and contextualize existing immigration research and the latest U.S. census data about immigrants. You will explore immigration enforcement practices, legal immigration processes, the policy positions of advocacy organizations, as well as the status of existing proposals and pending legislation for immigration reform. You will also learn key context for contemporary debates by reviewing the history of immigration laws and reform efforts –– from the first immigration law in 1790 which granted citizenship only to “free white persons” to the present day. 
In addition to developing a foundational knowledge about immigration in the U.S., you will analyze examples of effective journalism and fact checks about immigration to hone your own story ideas, whether it’s quick turn-a-around articles to more extensive investigations. 
You will think about how to get to know your local immigrant communities in their complexity –– Latino, Asian, Middle Eastern, European, African ––  and how to approach them as a journalist. You will also develop strategies to obtain information and interviews from immigration officials, how to gain access to detention facilities, and persons in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody.
Whether you’re looking to diversify your sources, tell more nuanced stories about your community, uncouple political rhetoric from policy proposals or simply level up as a well-rounded reporter, this immigration course is for you.
If you need assistance, email us at info@poynter.org. 

Once you enroll in this course, you can start anytime and engage with lessons on your own schedule. There will be six lessons to complete. You can expect to spend 45 minutes to one hour on each lesson. The first three will be available starting in March 2022. All course material will be released by July 2022. Lessons include:
Lesson 1: Immigration polls, language use and debunking myths
You will gain an understanding of American attitudes toward legal and undocumented immigration and appropriate terminology and culturally competent language to use when covering immigrants and immigrant communities. 
Lesson 2: Immigration practices post-9/11, the rise of crimigration, and other critical issues
You will gain an understanding of how the federal government implements and enforces our nation’s complex immigration laws and policies, and the division of labor and responsibilities of federal agencies under the Department of Homeland Security.
Lesson 3: Covering the U.S./Mexico border 
You will learn essential facts and context about the 2000-mile southwest border, often described as a third country. You will understand what happens at border crossings and interior checkpoints. You will develop reporting strategies, resources and sources for reporting on the region, as well as gain insight into federal policies on apprehensions at the border.
Lesson 4: Immigration in the heartland (Coming April 2022!)
Lesson 5: Immigration statistics (Coming May 2022!)
Lesson 6: Immigration law (Coming June 2022!)

Who should enroll

People working in journalism who cover immigration, immigrant communities, labor, agriculture, government, education and more will benefit from this training. Anyone who wants to learn more about how immigration works in the United States is also welcome to enroll. 
This self-directed course is free, thanks to the support of our sponsor, Catena Foundation.
Support responsible news and fact-based information today!

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