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/

‘What Happened to My Daughter? Who Had Her?’

‘What Happened to My Daughter? Who Had Her?’ ‘What Happened to My Daughter? Who Had Her?’

A father’s struggle to be reunited with his daughter, separated by Trump’s zero-tolerance policy.

Jul 17, 2018 / John Washington

Protesters pray during a Rally For Our Children event to protest a new

Another Way to Keep Families Together: Join the New Sanctuary Movement Another Way to Keep Families Together: Join the New Sanctuary Movement

Find ways to help in your community.

Jun 28, 2018 / no-paywall / John Washington

Detainee Immigrants

Here Is Just Some of the Hateful Abuse Immigrants Face in Detention Centers Here Is Just Some of the Hateful Abuse Immigrants Face in Detention Centers

A new report documents a litany of racist, sexist, Islamophobic, homophobic behavior from detention guards.

Jun 27, 2018 / John Washington

immigrant detention women

ICE Is Sending a Message to the World’s Asylum Seekers: The US Is No Place of Refuge ICE Is Sending a Message to the World’s Asylum Seekers: The US Is No Place of Refuge

Separating children from their family members, imposing excessively long detention, and other ways the immigration bureaucracy is making life impossible for asylum seekers.

May 29, 2018 / John Washington

What Would It Take To Actually See What Life Is Like in Prison?

What Would It Take To Actually See What Life Is Like in Prison? What Would It Take To Actually See What Life Is Like in Prison?

An issue and exhibit from the photography foundation Aperture breaks down old tropes of prison life.

Mar 6, 2018 / Photo Essay / John Washington

This HIV-Positive Gay Asylum Seeker Was Granted a Stay of Deportation. Why Did He End Up Back in Mexico?

This HIV-Positive Gay Asylum Seeker Was Granted a Stay of Deportation. Why Did He End Up Back in Mexico? This HIV-Positive Gay Asylum Seeker Was Granted a Stay of Deportation. Why Did He End Up Back in Mexico?

One man’s asylum case reveals a disorganized, backlogged court willing to contradict its own decisions to “score another deportation victory.”

Feb 13, 2018 / John Washington

Florida State Prison

Florida’s Prison Laborers Are Going On Strike Florida’s Prison Laborers Are Going On Strike

Demanding fair pay for their work and an end to brutal conditions, the inmates are putting pressure on the Florida prison system’s bottom line.

Jan 15, 2018 / John Washington

cca_federal_prison_ap_img

Under Trump, the Private-Prison Boom Shows No Sign of Slowing Under Trump, the Private-Prison Boom Shows No Sign of Slowing

A conversation with Lauren-Brooke Eisen on her new book on private prisons and the long shadow of mass incarceration.

Dec 14, 2017 / John Washington

ICE detention facility

An HIV-Positive Gay Asylum Seeker Staged a 7-Day Hunger Strike in an ICE Detention Facility An HIV-Positive Gay Asylum Seeker Staged a 7-Day Hunger Strike in an ICE Detention Facility

Protesting prolonged detention, substandard medical care, and parole denial, Jesus Rodriguez Mendoza may soon stop eating again.

Dec 12, 2017 / John Washington

Harvey Flooded Prison

After Harvey, Texas Inmates Were Left in Flooded Prisons Without Adequate Water or Food After Harvey, Texas Inmates Were Left in Flooded Prisons Without Adequate Water or Food

The treatment allegedly follows a pattern of neglect set during previous years’ hurricanes.

Oct 13, 2017 / John Washington

x