From documenting community resilience to centering pride, we celebrate CALÓ's most impactful stories

On May 1, 2025, CALÓ News launched its Southwest expansion in Arizona, spreading our Los Angeles-based mission to document, center and advance the Latine resilience narrative that is often drowned out in mainstream news.

Looking back at the work that's been produced by contributors based across Arizona, in other parts of the Southwest and the country — shoutout to immigration data reporter Raphael Romero Ruiz based in Baltimore, Maryland —  CALÓ News has highlighted experiences, challenges and victories that offer clarity, plant seeds of hope and help us breathe a little bit easier amid the turmoil.

It's been a work of love by and for our same communities. But don't take my word for it. According to our gifted pool of contributors, these are some of the most impactful stories they worked on this year.

From DACA to LGBTQ+, the fight for migrant rights is never-ending

Story: Despite DACA status, a Tucson man is facing deportation. He’s fighting to stay

This story gave people a more intimate view into some of the people being impacted by this year's immigration enforcement. It showed how Carlos, who felt relatively safe living in this country with DACA protection, could have his entire life upended. Going public with his story was Carlos' idea. He asked an immigration lawyer to reach out to me. And when we talked, he told me he wanted to draw attention to people like himself, who work hard, help care for their family and are still in danger of being deported. He said the risk of drawing attention to his case, the risk of being detained because he went to the media, was worth it if his story could potentially help him and other Dreamers be seen and supported.

Story: 'There's a community out here': Tucson nonprofit offers hope to detained LGBTQ+ migrants

I don't know how impactful this story may have been for readers or others, but it was one of my favorite stories I wrote for CALÓ News this year. This story shares just one of many ways Mariposas Sin Fronteras supports LGBTQ+ migrants in detention centers. It centers the bravery and empathy of Joselin Mendez, who was once in detention and received letters from that same organization. They kept her spirits up when she felt depressed while incarcerated. Now, she pays that forward. A few months after publishing this story, while reporting on another immigration case, I visited Eloy Detention Center to interview a detainee. As I was leaving, I ran into Mendez who was also there to visit someone she had been writing letters to. It takes an immense amount of strength and bravery to go back to a place that held you captive to see someone else in that situation.

– Stephanie Casanova, based in Tucson

Read more stories by Stephanie here

Rapid response rooted in community

Story: How local Phoenix organizers are becoming their community’s last defense against ICE

This article was fairly impactful for the community I reported on and informative for those who need the resources and information provided by these hard-working local community organizers. Sitting in on the Puente Human Rights Movement and Borderlands Resource Initiative's partnership — where they taught volunteers how to spot and report ICE while also training people for their accompaniment program to assist migrants at immigration court — was eye-opening and a privilege. Additionally, the network of even more Phoenix non-profits working towards a better, safer future for migrants and mixed-status families was inspiring to learn more about in dark times.

Story: ‘No politician is going to save us’: Phoenix Councilwoman Hernandez remains steel-willed in her fight against fascism

This profile of progressive Phoenix Councilwoman Anna Hernandez was deeply impactful to me as a writer and listener. It was incredible getting to hear and share the story of a woman who has been deeply, personally affected by the violent impacts of living in a city without proper resources for those in need, who are then subjected to Phoenix’s heavily funded police force. Hernandez turned her grief, her passion and determination into a movement, building off the hope and encouragement of her constituents to fight back.

– Analisa Valdez, based in Tempe

Read more stories by Analisa here

Capturing grief, centering fighting spirits

Story: ICE 'is slowly killing us': Phoenix community pours out in support of hospitalized migrant

One of the most impactful stories I wrote this year was about a vigil held outside the ICE field office after a migrant was shot by an immigration agent during a traffic stop. Community members gathered to denounce what they described as a long history of violence by Arizona law enforcement agencies against communities of color and immigrants. Covering a story like this was unexpected, but I was proud of my ability to document not only what happened that day through my photographs but also to capture the voices of those who spoke about generations of mistreatment and harm, allowing me to portray the depth of the community’s grief, anger and resilience.

– Nicole Macías Garibay, based in Phoenix

Read more stories by Nicole here

Tucsonans shine bright — on the stage and at the U.S. Capitol

Story: A ‘guerrera for southern Arizona’: Grijalva celebrates a ‘People’s Swearing-In’ ceremony

Having the opportunity to cover the People’s swearing-in of the first Latina, Chicana congresswoman of Arizona, Adelita Grijalva, at her alma mater, Pueblo High School in South Tucson, was a historic moment. The ceremony came shortly after ICE raids at Taco Giro, giving the moment added weight. The presence of her family, constituents and fellow Democratic leaders underscored the significance of the event. After waiting seven weeks following her election to be sworn in, seeing Grijalva take the oath before the community that helped elect her made the day especially meaningful to document.

Story: From Venezuela to Tucson: Maestro José Luis Gómez conquers the symphonic world | De Venezuela a Tucson: El maestro José Luis Gómez conquista el mundo sinfónico en EEUU

Having the opportunity to interview El Maestro José Luis Gómez, music director of the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, was an honor. A Venezuelan immigrant who has built a successful career in the classical music scene, Gómez has captivated audiences worldwide. Getting his story published in English and Spanish was a proud professional moment, especially being able to share his inspiring journey with English-speaking audiences through CALÓ News. I am passionate about highlighting the success stories of Latino immigrants in the entertainment industry whose talent crosses borders. Elevating these narratives is essential, particularly in the current political climate, to recognize the meaningful contributions immigrants make to our cultural landscape.

– Dawn Page, based in Tucson

Read more stories by Dawn here

Documenting community resilience in motion

Video: Chispa Arizona conducts south Phoenix light rail educational ride along

This video highlighted Chispa Arizona’s light rail tour, which helped Phoenix community members better understand the new light rail extension into South Phoenix. What made this story impactful for me was the chance to center community voices and hear directly from residents about why this extension matters and how it can be a helpful addition for the city. It also uplifted Chispa’s work around civic engagement and environmental justice. For viewers, the video showed how transportation decisions affect everyday life and why community input is important.

Video: Phoenix’s fifth annual Latino Pride Festival

This video focused on the Phoenix Latino Pride Festival and the importance of creating space for community, especially at a time when both Latinx and LGBTQ+ communities are being targeted. This piece felt important to produce because it centered people coming together, showing up as themselves, and feeling seen and supported. Highlighting the festival felt like a way to show why pride spaces matter and what they provide beyond just celebration.

– Yamileth Cabrera, based in south Phoenix

See more work from Yamileth here

From ICE raids to community action

Story: Congresswoman pepper-sprayed while protesting ICE raids at Tucson restaurants

Covering the Taco Giro ICE raids where U.S. Congresswoman Adelita Grijalva was pepper sprayed was a breaking news story that had so many layers to it: from the months-long investigation that led up to the government action, the community response and altercation with ICE and the events that followed after to show support to the immigrant community. The raids were the first of their kind in Tucson with such a significant community response and news coverage. The trust I received from my sources affirmed that I was doing journalism in a way that centers and respects the community I cover.

– Susan Barnett, based in Tucson

Read more work by Susan here

Centering voices too often drowned out

Story: Amid food stamp suspension, Phoenix communities are stepping up to feed families

In October, just about every news organization across the country was writing about the impending lapse of SNAP benefits during the government shutdown. When writing this for CALÓ News, I wanted to cover it in a way that moved away from talking about government inaction and toward community resilience. The story centered around a family on the verge of losing their benefits and how community members were stepping in to make sure they were fed. I highlighted the voice of her children and what it means to them to see a parent scramble to ensure their well-being. For me, writing this story didn't just capture the scope of the government shutdown, but it also prioritized voices often drowned out when covering hard-hitting news.

– Lorenzo Gomez, based in Phoenix

Read more of their stories here

Unity comes in all shapes and flavors

Story: ‘Sanamos Juntos’: New beer from Phoenix Latino brewery uplifts immigrant communities

In March 2025, Johnny De Luna and Daniel Castro opened up shop in downtown Phoenix. Their mission? To bring quality Mexican beer to the Phoenix arts district via Sana Sana Cerveceria. It was missing, and they knew it would be embraced by the generations of Mexicans and Latinos living in the city and its surrounding areas. But from the very beginning, it was more than just about offering exceptional brews — it was about standing by their people and they’ve done that in spades. From hosting community gatherings and fundraisers to issuing public statements rejecting recent immigration enforcement policies, their shop is deeply rooted in community values. And we love them for it.

– Joanna Jacobo Rivera, southwest editor, based in Phoenix

Read more stories by Joanna here