Immigration and the Border: Mexico, the U.S., and the Current Debate 

By Signe Hammer

San Miguel PEN presents a conversation with The New Yorker contributing writer Stephania Taladrid and National Geographic 2022 Pictures of the Year winner photographer Alejandro Cegarra on the state of the debate about immigration at the U.S.-Mexican border. 

This event is at the Posada de la Aldea, second floor, Ancha de San Antonio 15, on Thursday, March 2 (not a Tuesday) at 6pm.

In words and photos Cegarra and Taladrid will present their work along the U.S.-Mexico border and discuss how the two countries have addressed the present humanitarian crisis. Both journalists will also offer their insights into how to cover immigration in a hyper-politicized context. The presentation will open with a screening of “American Scar,” a short documentary reported and produced by Taladrid on the environmental implications of the border wall. 

Taladrid grew up in Mexico, the U.S., Spain, and France earning an MA in Latin American studies from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service. At The New Yorker, she covers Latino communities across the U.S. She has written on the mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas, and covered the overturning of Roe v. Wade with a series of investigative stories on the end of the abortion-rights era. Judges that awarded her the American Society of Magazine Editors Next Award for outstanding achievement by journalists under 30 cited her “stories about socioeconomics and border policy,” centering on people “often marginalized or overlooked in the political debate.”  

Born in Caracas, Venezuela, Cegarra began studying photography in Roberto Mata Taller de Fotografía while at Alejandro Humboldt University. He has freelanced for such publications as National Geographic, The New Yorker, The New York Times, and The Washington Post. His own work reflects on the personal and collective sense of belonging—especially the loss of and search for a home—as well as the denunciation of human rights violations in Venezuela and Mexico where he now lives. In addition to his National Geographic honor, he was shortlisted for the 2022 Sony World Photography Award in Contemporary Issues and won the 2021 Fotoevidence Book Award as part of a COVID-19 Latam Collective.

San Miguel PEN is a chapter of PEN International, the organization of writers that defends freedom of expression, working on behalf of imprisoned writers around the world. San Miguel PEN is especially proud of its support for local literacy programs and its efforts in providing funds to aid Mexican journalists receiving credible death threats as well as the families of the far too many who are murdered. Your 200 peso contribution helps to sustain our work including this event and includes a complimentary glass of wine with dinner afterwards at Vivali Restaurant, Hernandez Macias 66. Tickets: online at sanmiguelpen.com, in the Biblioteca Tienda, or at the door.

San Miguel PEN Presents 

Stephania Taladrid and Alejandro Cegarra

“The US-Mexico Border: The State of the Immigration Debate”

Thur., Mar. 2, 6pm 

In English 

Posada de la Aldea, second floor 

Ancha de San Antonio 15

sanmiguelpen@gmail.com

200 Pesos Contribution