Laura Rodríguez Presa

Laura Rodríguez Presa is a bilingual journalist covering the Latino community in the Chicago area. Formerly a multimedia reporter for Hoy, the Tribune’s Spanish-language newspaper, Laura focused on exposing the often untold stories of the Latino community. She aims to write pieces that transcend language, race, age and gender barriers.

Devastated by her loss, Doris Hernandez, 66, found solace and strength through poetry. She began to write, channeling her emotions into verses that pay tribute to the suffering of a community in Chicago that has been plagued by gang and gun violence for decades.

Crime and Public Safety |
A Little Village mother forgave her son’s killer. Now she writes poems to honor victims of gang violence.

May 13, 2024 at 5:00 a.m.

Devastated by her loss, Doris Hernandez, 66, found solace and strength through poetry. She began to write, channeling her emotions into verses that pay tribute to the suffering of a...

As 40,000 asylum-seekers have arrived in Chicago in less than two years, a Tribune analysis of crime data shows the impact of migrants has been mostly felt in nonviolent offenses, particularly driving-related and thefts, and few arrests for violent felonies.

Immigration |
Migrant arrests are up, but they’re rarely accused of violent felonies

April 27, 2024 at 1:37 p.m.

As 40,000 asylum-seekers have arrived in Chicago in less than two years, a Tribune analysis of crime data shows the impact of migrants has been mostly felt in nonviolent offenses,...

Siendo una exitosa tamalera en el barrio de La Villita en Chicago, Pérez vivía en Estados Unidos sin permiso legal de residencia anhelando regresar a México para abrazar a sus hermanos mayores, visitar las tumbas de sus padres y conocer las casas que construyó con el dinero que ganó vendiendo tamales, antes de que fuera demasiado tarde.

En Español |
Tras 25 años de vender tamales en Chicago, madre indocumentada regresa a México sin la familia por la que emigró

April 25, 2024 at 10:30 a.m.

Siendo una exitosa tamalera en el barrio de La Villita en Chicago, Pérez vivía en Estados Unidos sin permiso legal de residencia anhelando regresar a México para abrazar a sus...

Battling health problems and a ticking clock, Claudia Perez, 63, chose to leave the life she’d built for herself and her family over the past 25 years.

Immigration |
After 25 years of selling tamales in Chicago, an undocumented immigrant mother returns to Mexico without her family

April 26, 2024 at 11:18 a.m.

Battling health problems and a ticking clock, Claudia Perez, 63, chose to leave the life she’d built for herself and her family over the past 25 years.

The Department of Homeland Security released the first installment of $300 million in grants to support communities providing services to migrants, federal officials said Friday.

Immigration |
Chicago and Illinois to receive $19M from feds to help with migrant crisis

April 12, 2024 at 4:19 p.m.

The Department of Homeland Security released the first installment of $300 million in grants to support communities providing services to migrants, federal officials said Friday.

In shelters, migrants who have active cases of tuberculosis are assigned a nurse case manager who conducts a contact tracing investigation.

Health |
Girl, 5, at migrant shelter recovering from tuberculosis, her father says, as city officials confirm ‘small number’ of cases

April 5, 2024 at 6:12 a.m.

In shelters, migrants who have active cases of tuberculosis are assigned a nurse case manager who conducts a contact tracing investigation.

Laura Rodríguez Presa

All Stories

Crime and Public Safety |
A Little Village mother forgave her son’s killer. Now she writes poems to honor victims of gang violence.

Immigration |
Migrant arrests are up, but they’re rarely accused of violent felonies

En Español |
Tras 25 años de vender tamales en Chicago, madre indocumentada regresa a México sin la familia por la que emigró

Immigration |
After 25 years of selling tamales in Chicago, an undocumented immigrant mother returns to Mexico without her family

Immigration |
Chicago and Illinois to receive $19M from feds to help with migrant crisis

Health |
Girl, 5, at migrant shelter recovering from tuberculosis, her father says, as city officials confirm ‘small number’ of cases

Politics |
Change to immigrant health care programs in Illinois will cause up to 6,000 to lose benefits

Immigration |
State and federal agencies deny role in diaper shortage at Chicago’s migrant shelters

News |
Migrants report reusing soiled diapers on babies amid essential goods shortages in Chicago shelters

Elections |
Mexicans prepare to vote in Chicago for their homeland’s president, with a woman as a front-runner