Ramon Taylor

VOA Interview: Freedom House Report

According to the report, press freedom is deteriorating worldwide

Media Repression on the Rise in 'Free' Countries

Global press freedom is on the decline, including in countries that have long been determined to be "free." Freedom House, an independent watchdog organization, reports that new forms of media repression and manipulation are spreading in traditionally open societies, from Central Europe to the United States, where it cited "new and are very worrying" attacks on journalists and media outlets by the Trump administration. VOA’s Ramon Taylor reports from New York.

Amid Health Care Shortage, Immigrants Are Rural America's Saving Grace

The entire US faces a massive shortage of health care professionals over the next decade, including up to 120,000 physicians by 2030

Hospitals in Rural America Increase Foreign-Born Hires

The U.S. faces a massive shortage of health care professionals over the next decade, including up to 120,000 physicians by 2030, according to data by the Association of American Medical Colleges. With an aging U.S. population and workforce, immigrant doctors and nurses are playing a growing role in health care, especially in rural areas where staff shortages are most severe. But as VOA's Ramon Taylor reports, their help alone may not be enough to end the crisis.

(Im)migration Weekly Recap, May 19-24  

A previously unreported migrant death was acknowledged by U.S. officials on Wednesday, days after a 16-year-old Guatemalan boy suffering flu symptoms died in custody. That brings the total number of announced migrant child deaths that occurred under U.S. custody to six since December 2018

Stay or Leave: US Visa Woes for Indian Doctors Near Breaking Point

Decades-long visa backlog forces difficult dilemma for Indian doctors, rural patients they serve

Visa Curbs Would Hit Africans Hardest

White House signals countries with high rates of tourist, business visa overstays may face new penalties; immigration activists see it as effort to restrict asylum claims from Africa

(Im)migration Weekly Recap, April 7-13

On Ellis Island, a Wall Honors Immigrants Old and New

'Everybody wants to be honored," says head of Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation, '... And in a small way, that's what we can do here'

On Ellis Island, a Wall Honors Immigrants Old and New

A wall on New York's Ellis Island that honors immigrants is almost at full capacity. To date, 770 panels are engraved with the names of almost 800,000 immigrants — including arrivals who never disembarked at Ellis Island. Ramon Taylor has the story.

(Im)migration Weekly Recap, Mar. 31 - Apr. 6

NY's Muslim Safety Patrol 'Here for Everyone'

Its aim ‘to protect members of the local community' has added relevance after New Zealand attacks

New York City Muslims Begin Community Safety Patrol

A week has passed since a white supremacist gunned down 50 Muslims during Friday prayers in Christchurch, New Zealand. About 15,000 kilometers away, a recently formed group in New York, Muslim Community Patrol & Services, has found itself on the front lines as it counsels distraught neighbors. Soon, its presence will be widely felt and seen throughout the city. VOA's Ramon Taylor reports.

After Vicious Hammer Attack, New York Immigrants Choose Unity

An unspeakable crime brought a community together; confronted with a grim reality, will other US communities do the same?

NY Immigrants Wary of Hate Crimes After Asian Workers Killed in Hammer Attack

In January, a vicious hammer attack at a Brooklyn, New York, restaurant left three Asian immigrant workers dead. While still shaken and trying to heal, the attack brought the community together in New York. But with all the markings of a hate crime, immigrants of color in New York and elsewhere are now reckoning with a grim new reality: targeted attacks are on the rise in the U.S. VOA's Ramon Taylor reports.

Driver's Licenses for Undocumented: Benefit for Some or All?

More than a million undocumented immigrants may soon be able to obtain a driver's license or ID card in the US

As US Pulls Out, Translators Feel Left Behind

Special visas in jeopardy for Iraqis, Afghans who helped US and now face credible threats

As the US Considers Afghanistan Withdrawal, No New Special Visas

Special Immigrant Visas are a lifeline for Iraqi and Afghan interpreters and other professionals working for the U.S. government, who face credible threats as a consequence of their employment. These visas allow them to emigrate to the U.S. and safety. But as U.S. troop withdrawals from Afghanistan become a possibility, no new SIVs have been scheduled for this year. VOA's Ramon Taylor reports that thousands are in limbo.

(Im)migration News Recap, Jan. 20-26

New US Bill Would Offer Temporary Status to Venezuelans

TPS would protect Venezuelan nationals from deportation and let them work in the US