On the Edge of Asylum

In 2019, sweeping shifts in U.S. and Mexican immigration policy transformed the landscape of asylum across the Americas. This series follows the journeys of those caught in the middle—from the riverbanks of Guatemala to the border shelters of Tijuana—as they navigate the legal, logistical, and human toll of a system in flux. Through on-the-ground reporting and first-person narratives, the series traces the impact of deterrence policies, border enforcement, and life in legal limbo for families seeking safety and stability across two borders.

This project was produced with support from UC Berkeley’s Haas Scholars Program, which provides a year of full funding and faculty mentorship for students pursuing original, in-depth capstone work. The series includes a longform investigative report and a companion documentary short.