John Washington

@jbwashing

John Washington is a staff writer at Arizona Luminaria, where he writes about immigration and border politics, as well as criminal-justice issues and the arts. He is also an award-winning translator, having translated Óscar Martinez, Anabel Hernández, and Sandra Rodriguez Nieto, among others. His most recent book, The Case for Open Borders, was published by Haymarket Books in 2024. Find more of his work at: https://johnwashington.substack.com/

11 Arguments for Open Borders

11 Arguments for Open Borders 11 Arguments for Open Borders

A world not divided by militarized borders would help form a world where sustainability and justice take precedence over extraction and exploitation.

Feb 5, 2024 / Comment / John Washington

Edafe Okporo’s Manifesto for the Migrant

Edafe Okporo’s Manifesto for the Migrant Edafe Okporo’s Manifesto for the Migrant

A conversation with the activist and writer about his new book Asylum and the intersections of oppression that face LGBTQ migrants and refugees. 

Jul 18, 2022 / Books & the Arts / John Washington

Voting rights

New York City’s Radical Proposal for Noncitizen Voting New York City’s Radical Proposal for Noncitizen Voting

The “Our City, Our Vote” bill would add almost 1 million new potential voters to the rolls—the largest addition of voters in this country in half a century.

Jul 30, 2021 / John Washington

The Human Cost of 10 Years of Conflict in Syria

The Human Cost of 10 Years of Conflict in Syria The Human Cost of 10 Years of Conflict in Syria

A decade after the first shots were fired, cities are in ruins, over half a million Syrians have died, and more than ten million have been displaced.

Jun 30, 2021 / Feature / John Washington

Harsha Walia

Pulling Down the World’s Walls: A Conversation With Harsha Walia Pulling Down the World’s Walls: A Conversation With Harsha Walia

The Nation talked to the author and activist about her new book, Border and Rule, and what a border-free globe might look like.

Apr 22, 2021 / Q&A / John Washington

Take What You Need and Give What You Can: A Mutual Aid Portrait

Take What You Need and Give What You Can: A Mutual Aid Portrait Take What You Need and Give What You Can: A Mutual Aid Portrait

Residents of Morris County, N.J., aren’t waiting for federal relief—they’re helping each other.

Dec 10, 2020 / Photo Essay / John Washington and Tracie Williams

Cameroonian Asylum Seekers Say They Face Violent Persecution Upon Deportation

Cameroonian Asylum Seekers Say They Face Violent Persecution Upon Deportation Cameroonian Asylum Seekers Say They Face Violent Persecution Upon Deportation

Immigrant rights advocates allege that ICE detainees are being coerced, sometimes violently, into signing their own removal papers and returned to a country that is arresting and b...

Nov 9, 2020 / John Washington

‘Even In a Pandemic, We’re Still a Minority’

‘Even In a Pandemic, We’re Still a Minority’ ‘Even In a Pandemic, We’re Still a Minority’

After fleeing long-term sexual abuse in Honduras, one young man tries to survive the coronavirus lockdown in San Francisco.

Jul 30, 2020 / Migrant Voices / John Washington

‘An Experience I Wouldn’t Wish My Worst Enemy to Undergo’

‘An Experience I Wouldn’t Wish My Worst Enemy to Undergo’ ‘An Experience I Wouldn’t Wish My Worst Enemy to Undergo’

In ICE detention for more than two years, a man from Cameroon pens a plea for mercy.

May 18, 2020 / Migrant Voices / John Washington

How Poetry Can Bear Witness to Crisis and Revolution

How Poetry Can Bear Witness to Crisis and Revolution How Poetry Can Bear Witness to Crisis and Revolution

We talked to Carolyn Forché about her first book of poetry in 17 years.

Apr 22, 2020 / Q&A / John Washington

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