Joseph Kolb

Biography

He serves as a correspondent for U.S.-Mexico border issues for Catholic News Service and the John Jay College of Criminal Justice’s Center for Media, Crime, and Justice.
He has also been published in the Albuquerque Journal, El Diaro-El Paso, New Mexico Magazine, and The New York Times.
He also works for the Center for Immigration Studies.

In June 2012, Joseph Kolb  had an article and video featured on Fox News Latino about PTSD among Mexican students attending American schools.
Watch the video and read this insightful piece here.

In July 2012, Joseph Kolb wrote a story about the many victims of Mexico’s drug war who are seeking political asylum in the U.S. You can read his piece for Fox News Latino here.

Interview

Why does immigration reporting matter today? 

The United States was founded by immigrants and flourished as a result of immigrant diversity. However, as much as their contributions meant to the development of this country, each group suffered their own prejudices and indignations. Because we now have a more pervasive and fluid media, it is our responsibility to provide facts so that all people are treated fairly and equally. I cautioned to say “under the law” because as we have seen, some of these immigration laws being passed violate what this country was founded on. Paranoia and xenophobia are convenient excuses for social and institutional racism which many current immigration policies are.

What resources would you recommend on the topic? (articles, websites, video, movies, books…)

Some of the better resources I’ve worked with include the Borderzine project out of the University of Texas at El Paso (www.borderzine.com) and Jorge Castañeda ‘s book, Mañana Forever?

What makes an outstanding reporter?

Finding the truth and being fair even if it contradicts the hypothesis you were working on.

Who are your journalism inspirations?
Walter Cronkite, Edward R. Murrow, Ann Curry and Woodward and Bernstein

While on the ground, what is your most memorable anecdote?

Being in a rough suburb of Ciudad Juarez, Mexico called Anapra, which had experienced numerous killings.
While interviewing a 16-year-old girl I asked her if she would ever come to the United States if she had the opportunity.
Looking me square in the eye with a sincere smile she said,”If I leave my country I can never make it better!” That humbled me.

What are your next projects?

A photo essay of the historic statues and monuments in Ciudad Juarez.
It is a city that has suffered so much in the past decade but is trying to regain its revolutionary spirit and proud tradition.