Melissa del Bosque

Melissa del Bosque joined The Texas Observer staff in 2008. She specializes in reporting on immigration and the U.S.-Mexico border. Her work has been published in national and international publications including TIME magazine and the Mexico City-based Nexos magazine. She has a master’s in public health from Texas A&M University and a master’s in journalism from the University of Texas at Austin.

Observer Panel at SXSW Interactive: Tweeting the Drug War (Video)Mar 14, 2013
What can the most censored state in Mexico teach others about freedom of expression during a devastating drug war? Full Story

Border Communities Living in Limbo While Congress DithersMay 17, 2013
In early May, Ruben Villarreal, Mayor of Rio Grande City, channeled the frustration of many residents in Starr and Hidalgo counties, where a proposed [...] Full Story
Central American Migrants Advocate for Immigration Reform in ‘Caravan of Hope’May 10, 2013
Last year 23-year-old Pedro Aguilar left his home in Honduras to take the perilous journey north to the United States. His dreams for a [...] Full Story
The Priest Who Travels With BodyguardsApr 29, 2013
Father Alejandro Solalinde isn't well known in the United States. But in Mexico, he is recognized for his bravery. He dares to speak out about corrupt government officials, and organized crime, and he shelters migrants from the cartels. Full Story
Border Residents Disappointed by Fence Provision in New Immigration Reform BillApr 17, 2013
A bipartisan group of U.S. senators released their comprehensive immigration reform bill late Tuesday. It’s thrilling to finally see a reform bill which looks like it has some momentum come out of Congress—until you see the first section devoted to border security, which is like a kick in the gut for border communities. Full Story
Another Big Corruption Case in Hidalgo CountyApr 11, 2013
Another mind-boggling corruption case out of Hidalgo County was revealed Wednesday, when a 13-count federal indictment was filed against the Department of Homeland Security’s [...] Full Story

The Straight & Narrow MindedApr 30, 2012
It started with good intentions. Before the hate mail began rolling in from across the country, before the pastor had his church vans vandalized [...] Full Story
U.S. Government to House Children from Central America at Air Force BaseApr 16, 2012
When there is unrest in Latin America, the U.S.-Mexico border is often the first place to feel it as refugees flee violence or economic [...] Full Story
Defending Refugees from Mexico’s Drug WarMar 19, 2012
When the drug war exploded in 2008 in Juarez, refugees started to pour across the border into El Paso. They told harrowing stories of [...] Full Story
Justice in ExileMar 13, 2012
Mexico’s drug war is often presented in the Mexican and U.S. media as a battle among government forces and the drug cartels. Seldom do [...] Full Story
Blackmailing of Reporter in Azerbaijan Pits Web Freedom against Free PressMar 10, 2012
Many people consider journalistic freedom and a reporter’s ability to investigate public corruption an essential element of a free society. And many also support [...] Full Story

Melissa del Bosque

Observer Panel at SXSW Interactive: Tweeting the Drug War (Video)Mar 14, 2013

Border Communities Living in Limbo While Congress DithersMay 17, 2013

Central American Migrants Advocate for Immigration Reform in ‘Caravan of Hope’May 10, 2013

The Priest Who Travels With BodyguardsApr 29, 2013

Border Residents Disappointed by Fence Provision in New Immigration Reform BillApr 17, 2013

Another Big Corruption Case in Hidalgo CountyApr 11, 2013

The Straight & Narrow MindedApr 30, 2012

U.S. Government to House Children from Central America at Air Force BaseApr 16, 2012

Defending Refugees from Mexico’s Drug WarMar 19, 2012

Justice in ExileMar 13, 2012

Blackmailing of Reporter in Azerbaijan Pits Web Freedom against Free PressMar 10, 2012