Immigration Reporter

The Washington Post is seeking a rigorous, ambitious and nimble journalist to join its immigration team, covering one of the most consequential and fast-moving policy areas in the country. 

This reporter will play a central role in chronicling the Trump administration’s immigration agenda — breaking news, producing accountability reporting and delivering clear, authoritative journalism that explains complex policies and their real-world impact. The beat spans enforcement, border security, legal immigration systems and the human consequences of policy decisions, requiring a reporter who can move seamlessly between scoops, analysis and enterprise. 

We are looking for a journalist with a deep understanding of U.S. immigration policy and a strong network of sources across key federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The ideal candidate thrives on competition, writes with clarity and authority under pressure and brings creative ideas for how to present stories that resonate with a broad audience. 

Immigration is a top coverage priority for The Post, and this reporter will join a dynamic, collaborative team based in Washington and across the country. 

This position is based in our Washington, D.C., newsroom. 

• You are driven to break news on one of the most urgent and high-profile policy beats. 

• You are curious about how immigration policy is shaped — and how it affects people’s lives. 

• You thrive in a fast-paced, competitive news environment. 

• You are committed to holding powerful institutions accountable. 

• You are collaborative and eager to work across teams to elevate coverage. 

• Break news on federal immigration and border enforcement policies, delivering timely and agenda-setting reporting. 

• Produce ambitious analysis and enterprise stories grounded in original reporting and fresh insight. 

• Develop and maintain high-level sources across federal agencies and the broader immigration ecosystem. 

• Track and explain policy changes, enforcement actions and legal developments, making them accessible to a broad audience. 

• Investigate the impact of immigration policies on communities across the country. 

• Collaborate with reporters, editors and visual teams to produce compelling, multi-format storytelling. 

• A proven ability to report and write breaking news with speed, precision and clarity. 

• A track record of delivering exclusive news and impactful enterprise on a competitive beat. 

• Deep understanding of U.S. immigration policy, border enforcement and the federal agencies involved. 

• Strong source-building skills and the ability to navigate complex government institutions. 

• Clear, authoritative writing and the ability to explain complex issues. 

• A commitment to accuracy, fairness and the highest standards of journalism ethics. 

Interested candidates should upload a cover letter, résumé and three examples of their work (as PDFs) to our jobs portal. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled, but those received by April 15 will be prioritized. The cover letter should be addressed to Immigration Editor Christine Armario, Deputy National Editor Debbi Wilgoren and National Editor Jennifer Amur. 

The salary range for this position is $137,300 - $228,900. The actual starting salary within this range will depend on individual skills, experience and qualifications as they relate to specific job requirements.