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Melissa Gomez

@melissagomez.bsky.social

2.5K followers 130 following 260 posts

Covering immigration at the Los Angeles Times| A veces hablo español | Florida native | Journalism ain't dead. Chill. hmu: [email protected]

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Melissa Gomez @melissagomez.bsky.social · Nov 13

Hello! I’m a reporter at the Los Angeles Times. I’ll be posting my work and share my colleagues’ work here - you can find my stories here:
www.latimes.com/people/melis...

Melissa Gomez - Los Angeles Times

Melissa Gomez is an enterprise reporter on the State Team who joined the Los Angeles Times in 2018.

www.latimes.com

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Melissa Gomez @melissagomez.bsky.social · 2h

"The Rev. David Black stood in front of a Chicago-area U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility and spread his arms wide.
But when Black began to lower his arms a few seconds later, the agents responded to his spiritual plea by firing pepper balls."
religionnews.com/2025/10/07/i...

Religious protesters say ICE threatens religious freedom in Chicago

(RNS) — Despite potential danger, religious leaders and faith activists have been a visible presence at Chicago-area ICE protests, some waving signs with slogans such as ‘Love thy neighbor’ and ‘Who w...

religionnews.com

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Melissa Gomez @melissagomez.bsky.social · 4h

"These efforts to clean.. have largely been carried out by immigrant workers who have not just risked their health while clearing homes of toxic material and debris but, with ongoing raids, the lives they have built in California."
great story by @cshalby.bsky.social
www.latimes.com/california/s...

In the fire zones, an immigrant workforce warily carries out cleanups

Months after the Eaton fire, a largely immigrant workforce clears homes of ash and debris in Altadena amid health risks and threat of immigration raids.

www.latimes.com

Reposted by Melissa Gomez

suhauna hussain @suhauna.bsky.social · 11h

this week i wrote abt the family of a San Fernando Valley man who was among hundreds of Gaza flotilla activists detained when Israeli naval forces seized their boats. now, LA-based journalist Emily Wilder who was on a second convoy has been detained www.latimes.com/california/s...

Californian detained on Gaza-bound flotilla deported to Jordan from Israel prison

Israeli naval forces intercepted aid vessels headed to Gaza, taking into custody Southern California native David Adler, among other passengers and crew.

www.latimes.com

Reposted by Melissa Gomez

Los Angeles Times @latimes.com · 1d

“They are so sloppy and the courts are having to deal with it,” said Vera Weisz, who has been practicing immigration law for more than four decades. “There is some absurdity to it, but that’s the least of it.”

Immigration sought to deport 88-year-old. But he already died

The Department of Homeland Security's intense push to ramp up deportations is dragging in even the dead as it unnerves immigrant households and crams court calendars.

www.latimes.com

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Melissa Gomez @melissagomez.bsky.social · 1d

Californian detained on Gaza-bound flotilla deported to Jordan from Israel prison, by @suhauna.bsky.social
www.latimes.com/california/s...

Californian detained on Gaza-bound flotilla deported to Jordan from Israel prison

Israeli naval forces intercepted aid vessels headed to Gaza, taking into custody Southern California native David Adler, among other passengers and crew.

www.latimes.com

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Melissa Gomez @melissagomez.bsky.social · 1d

"The intense push to ramp up deportations is dragging in even the dead, unnerving immigrant households, cramming court calendars and sapping stretched immigration attorneys’ time."
crazy story here by @racheluranga.bsky.social
www.latimes.com/california/s...

Immigration sought to deport 88-year-old. But he already died

The Department of Homeland Security's intense push to ramp up deportations is dragging in even the dead as it unnerves immigrant households and crams court calendars.

www.latimes.com

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Reposted by Melissa Gomez

The Washington Post @washingtonpost.com · 7d

Masked federal agents pushed two photojournalists to the ground in a hallway outside a New York immigration court Tuesday morning, resulting in one journalist receiving treatment by emergency medical personnel. https://wapo.st/42gz4Cg

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Melissa Gomez @melissagomez.bsky.social · 7d

Her TV career ended when she told viewers she was gay. She didn’t get Jimmy Kimmel’s second chance
www.latimes.com/california/n...

Her TV career ended when she told viewers she was gay. She didn't get Jimmy Kimmel's second chance

Your morning catch-up: A 1977 TV cancellation has lessons for today, Kimmel returned to ABC with emotional monologue defending free speech and more big stories.

www.latimes.com

Melissa Gomez @melissagomez.bsky.social · 9d

ICE officer seen on video pushing woman to ground has returned to duty

www.cbsnews.com/news/ice-off...

ICE officer seen on video pushing woman to ground has returned to duty

An ICE officer who was initially relieved of his duties after being captured on video pushing a woman to the ground has been returned to duty, two U.S. officials familiar with the matter told CBS News...

www.cbsnews.com

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Melissa Gomez @melissagomez.bsky.social · 9d

"After Johanna was detained, a student shared her story at an LAUSD board meeting, asking the board to support their efforts. She said she never heard back from them. Students also helped Hector, Johanna’s father, publish a fundraising page that raised over $21,000."
edsource.org/2025/deporta...

A student deported and a summer of raids leave a school reeling

Students are feeling the ripple effects after a summer of unrelenting immigration raids during which one of their own classmates was deported.

edsource.org

Reposted by Melissa Gomez

Stuart Leavenworth @sleavenworth.bsky.social · 10d

ICYMI: Powerful interactive report by @lamarrlemee.bsky.social on how and where ICE is shuttling detainees nationwide, often for retaliatory reasons, lawyers say.

www.latimes.com/politics/sto...

Gabrielle LaMarr LeMee (@lamarrlemee.bsky.social)

Data reporter @latimes.com

lamarrlemee.bsky.social

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Reposted by Melissa Gomez

Phil Lewis @phillewis.bsky.social · 12d

An ICE agent who was seen on video slamming a woman into a wall and shoving her to the ground in an NYC immigration courthouse was placed on leave

ICE Officer On Leave After Violently Slamming Woman’s Head Onto Courthouse Floor

“You can’t watch that video and think that that’s how you want United States law enforcement officials treating human beings,” said New York City Comptroller Brad Lander.

www.huffpost.com

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Melissa Gomez @melissagomez.bsky.social · 12d

Army vet George Retes Jr. was trying to get to work on July 10 at Glass House during an ICE raid. He was handcuffed and jailed for 3 days without explanation. After he wrote about his arrest, DHS accused him of assault, which he called a baffling accusation.
www.latimes.com/california/s...

A U.S. veteran spoke out against his wrongful arrest by ICE. Now he’s being accused of assault

George Retes Jr. wrote an op-ed about his arrest during the Glass House ICE raid in July. He says DHS is now spreading falsehoods against him for speaking out.

www.latimes.com

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Reposted by Melissa Gomez

Mark Z. Barabak @markzbarabak.bsky.social · 12d

U.S vet spoke out against wrongful ICE arrest. Now he’s accused of assault

@melissagomez.bsky.social

www.latimes.com/california/s...

A U.S. veteran spoke out against his wrongful arrest by ICE. Now he’s being accused of assault

George Retes Jr. wrote an op-ed about his arrest during the Glass House ICE raid in July. He says DHS is now spreading falsehoods against him for speaking out.

www.latimes.com

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Reposted by Melissa Gomez

Till Eckert @tilleckert.com · 13d

1/ I’m Till Eckert, a ProPublica reporter. For the past 2 weeks, I’ve been going to the same NY immigration courthouse.

Nearly every time, I see ICE agents arresting immigrants. Today, a woman was slammed to the ground after begging officials not to take her husband away.

Thread 👇

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Melissa Gomez @melissagomez.bsky.social · 13d

So grateful to you, Stuart, and your thoughtful edits!!

Reposted by Melissa Gomez

suhauna hussain @suhauna.bsky.social · 13d

After 8 months hiding in the basement of an L.A. church fearing immigration agents, a Venezuelan mom decided to voluntarily leave the U.S. split up her family and try to make a life in Mexico. story by @melissagomez.bsky.social www.latimes.com/california/s...

One refugee's painful journey. Fleeing the U.S. and splitting up her family amid the Trump-era raids

After a life of migrating, Jerardyn thought she'd found sanctuary for her family in a Los Angeles church basement. Then her sense of security was shattered.

www.latimes.com

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Melissa Gomez @melissagomez.bsky.social · 13d

Today we published a project I've been working on all summer. Jerardyn, a Venezuelan immigrant, lived in a church basement in L.A. with her children. As ICE raids took over the city, she decided her safest option was to leave to Mexico. We followed her journey:
www.latimes.com/california/s...

One refugee's painful journey. Fleeing the U.S. and splitting up her family amid the Trump-era raids

After a life of migrating, Jerardyn thought she'd found sanctuary for her family in a Los Angeles church basement. Then her sense of security was shattered.

www.latimes.com

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Melissa Gomez @melissagomez.bsky.social · 14d

Family of former DACA recipient who died in ICE custody says officials ignored his pleas for help
www.latimes.com/california/s...

Family of former DACA recipient who died in ICE custody says officials ignored his pleas for help

A former DACA recipient, Ismael Ayala-Uribe, 39, died on Sunday after being held at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Adelanto.

www.latimes.com

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Reposted by Melissa Gomez

Phil Lewis @phillewis.bsky.social · 16d

New: Jimmy Kimmel Live! will return on Tuesday

"We have spent the last days having thoughtful conversations with Jimmy, and after those conversations, we reached the decision to return the show on Tuesday."

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Melissa Gomez @melissagomez.bsky.social · 16d

The Firing of Educators Over Kirk Comments Follows a Familiar Playbook
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/22/u...

The Firing of Educators Over Kirk Comments Follows a Familiar Playbook

www.nytimes.com

Melissa Gomez @melissagomez.bsky.social · 16d

ICE offers big bucks — but California police officers prove tough to poach
www.latimes.com/california/s...

ICE offers big bucks — but California police officers prove tough to poach

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is offering substantial pay, student loan forgiveness and other benefits, drawing the ire of some local officials already struggling to hire and retain recruit...

www.latimes.com

Melissa Gomez @melissagomez.bsky.social · 16d

Mario Guevara says if he's deported, he believes it's because of his journalist, not because he is a criminal.
"The U.S. pledge of allegiance says, in part, "with liberty and justice for all." Right now, it is a lie. They should add, "with exception for immigrants."
noticiasmg.com/si-me-deport...

"Si me deportan, me voy con la frente en alto", dice el periodista Mario Guevara en una carta a la comunidad - Noticias MG

Por: Mario Guevara "Hoy lunes cumplo 100 días tras las rejas, más de tres meses encerrado como delincuente. Estoy consciente de mi situación legal, sé que estoy a punto de ser expulsado de este país, ...

noticiasmg.com

Melissa Gomez @melissagomez.bsky.social · 19d

The imprisoned journalist Mario Guevara is facing imminent deportation after an immigration appeals court closed the case and ordered his removal.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

US appeals court orders deportation of Atlanta journalist detained by Ice

Mario Guevara faces imminent removal from US as his attorney files emergency petition

www.theguardian.com

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Reposted by Melissa Gomez

Committee to Protect Journalists @pressfreedom.bsky.social · 19d

NEW STATEMENT: ⚡As the U.S. government acted to curtail press freedom and free speech this week, Mario Guevara, the only journalist behind bars, faces the very real threat of deportation for doing his job and covering the news. #FreeMario
cpj.org/2025/09/jour...

Journalist Mario Guevara faces imminent deportation after US appeals court decision - Committee to Protect Journalists

New York, September 19, 2025—The Committee to Protect Journalists and Free Press express outrage that journalist Mario Guevara faces imminent deportation back to his native El Salvador after the Board...

cpj.org

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