Adriana Cardona-Maguigad

Immigration Reporter

Adriana Cardona-Maguigad covers immigration for WBEZ. Before that, she covered education and spent a few years reporting for WBEZ’s Curious City.One of Adriana’s most meaningful professional experiences involves the time she spent in Sidi Moumen, Casablanca training a group of young adults on how to produce stories for the radio. Some of her most outstanding work includes an award-winning audio project for WBEZ and NPR’s This American Life about unregulated drug rehab centers in Chicago drawing people from Puerto Rico. Her investigation was recognized with a Sigma Delta Chi Award by the Society of Professional Journalists, a National Edward R. Murrow Award, and three local Peter Lisagor Awards.Adriana is from Medellin, Colombia. She moved to Chicago in 2005.

Migrants hang out outside of a migrant shelter at 344 N. Ogden Ave in West Loop, Tuesday, June 25, 2024. | Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

Immigration

Chicago’s migrant shelter population down by more than half since evictions began this spring

Migrants forced to leave a city shelter after 60 days can return, but many are reluctant. Some fear ending up on the streets because they can’t work.

By Adriana Cardona-Maguigad

Curious City

How Curious City got its start

The show began in 2012 as a project that asked listeners what they wanted to know and leveraged the power of a newsroom to bring them answers.

By Adriana Cardona-Maguigad , Joe DeCeault , and 2 more

Immigration

Chair of Illinois Democratic Party floats state law granting work permits to immigrants

Rep. Lisa Hernandez declined to give a timeline on any proposal, which she says could authorize more than 400,000 undocumented immigrants to work.

By Adriana Cardona-Maguigad

Communities

Chicago Mexican nationals to cast votes in historic presidential election

For the first time, Mexicans abroad can vote in person at locations around the world.

By Adriana Cardona-Maguigad

Immigration

After challenging journeys, migrants in Chicago adjust to life in their new city

Learning English is a priority for asylum seekers as they create new lives outside of city-run shelters.

By Adriana Cardona-Maguigad

Race, Class & Communities

A Chicago woman who helps migrants fights for a chance to stay in the United States

By Adriana Cardona-Maguigad

David Vargas and his wife, Daryenis, dance hours after they got married with 14 other migrant couples Friday night.

15 migrant couples got married in Chicago: See the prep, ceremony and wedding party

By Adriana Cardona-Maguigad and Manuel Martinez

Race, Class & Communities

For the last year, an army of volunteers has been standing behind migrants arriving in Chicago

By Adriana Cardona-Maguigad

Race, Class & Communities

Can Illinois provide work permits for migrants?

By Adriana Cardona-Maguigad

Chef Jesus Finol, prepares a steak arepa at Sabe a Zulia, a Venezuelan restaurant located at 5306 W Fullerton Ave, Chicago, IL 60639, on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024. Manuel Martinez/WBEZ

Race, Class & Communities

Feeding migrants in Chicago involves balancing nutrition, cost and taste

By Adriana Cardona-Maguigad

Education

With nearly 6,000 new migrants this year, CPS CEO pledges support as financial needs grow

By Adriana Cardona-Maguigad

What migrants’ grievances tell us about the state of Chicago shelters

Many of Chicago’s new migrants came to the United States seeking refuge. But once here, they can encounter shelters with dirty living conditions and, at times, staff who make racist comments and sexually harass residents, according to over 200 grievances obtained by WBEZ. “There are still ongoing issues based on the data and my conversations with people,” said WBEZ immigration reporter Adriana Cardona-Maguidad. In this episode, Cardona-Maguigad breaks down her investigation with WBEZ All Things Considered anchor Melba Lara. This episode was produced for broadcast by Lauren Frost.