Big Local News immigration enforcement reporting recipes
Based on data provided by the Deportation Data Project
Getting started
Big Local News is working with the Deportation Data Project to provide local reporters with simplified datasets and reporting recipes that can help them mine the millions of records of people caught in the immigration enforcement system.
BLN has enhanced some of the data specifically for local stories. But every story idea can’t be boiled down to simple instructions. We encourage you to contact us for help when you have a story idea that might come from these records.
Organization
Part I of this guide introduces you to the data sources, alternatives, and stories that have already been done with deportation data. It includes a broad overview of the data system, including what it can and can’t tell us.
Part II provides recipes for specific stories like the ones highlighted in Part I. For each of the main data tables, it provides an introduction on how to obtain just the information for your area. Each subsequent chapter provides a short recipe for doing the analysis for a single story.
The Appendices provide additional resources, including full documentation of the data provide by BLN and some background on ICE and immigration legal terms.
Credits
Reporters are in debt to the staff and law firms associated with the Deportation Data Project, especailly David Hausman and Graeme Blair, for all they have done to acquire, understand and share their data. We also thank all of the reporters who gave us important insights and story ideas, who are credited throughout this document.
Big Local News is responsible for any errors or omissions.