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Sergio Martínez-Beltrán Sergio Martínez-Beltrán (SARE-he-oh mar-TEE-nez bel-TRAHN) is an immigration correspondent.
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Sergio Martínez-Beltrán

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Sergio Martínez-Beltrán

Immigration Correspondent

Sergio Martínez-Beltrán (SARE-he-oh mar-TEE-nez bel-TRAHN) is an immigration correspondent based in Texas.

He comes from the public radio collaborative The Texas Newsroom, where he covered politics and government. There he reported on the expulsion of a member of the Texas House, the first one in nearly a century, and on the historic impeachment of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.

In 2023, Martínez-Beltrán was part of NPR's first-ever bilingual broadcast of the State of the Union.

Prior to moving to Austin, he worked for the nonprofit news outlet Bridge Michigan, where he reported extensively on the state's inaugural redistricting commission, campaign finance and state government. His work has also appeared on the San Antonio Express-News, BBC, El Nuevo Día (Puerto Rico), Nashville Public Radio, and Standard-Examiner (Utah).

He has won multiple accolades, including a regional Edward R. Murrow Award. He is from Carolina, Puerto Rico and a proud graduate of Michigan State University.

Story Archive

Tuesday

ICE detains Kilmar Abrego Garcia again

Kilmar Abrego Garcia and his wife, Jennifer Vasquez Sura, attend a protest rally at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office in Baltimore, on Aug. 25, 2025. KT Kanazawich/AP hide caption

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KT Kanazawich/AP

The NPR Politics Podcast

ICE detains Kilmar Abrego Garcia again

Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident who entered the United States illegally as a teen, was detained again by Immigration and Customs Enforcement at a mandatory check-in in Baltimore on Monday. We discuss the latest developments in the case and what it says about the Trump administration’s immigration strategy. 

ICE Detains Kilmar Abrego Garcia Again

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Monday

National

Maryland man wrongfully deported now faces new deportation efforts

Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the Maryland man who was wrongfully deported to El Salvador in March, surrendered to immigration authorities in Maryland this morning. He faces possible deportation to Uganda.

Abrego Garcia Latest

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Kilmar Abrego Garcia (C) and his wife Jennifer Vasquez Sura (Center Right) enter a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) field office.

Kilmar Abrego Garcia (center) and his wife, Jennifer Vasquez Sura (center right), enter a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office on Monday in Baltimore, Md. The U.S. government is threatening to deport Abrego Garcia, a Maryland construction worker from El Salvador, to Uganda after he rejected a plea deal to be charged with human smuggling and deported to Costa Rica. Andrew Harnik/Getty Images hide caption

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Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

Immigration

Kilmar Abrego Garcia detained by ICE during Baltimore check-in

The detention, which was expected, happened after Abrego Garcia walked into the Immigration and Customs Enforcement building in Baltimore for a check-in after being released from custody on Friday.

Abrego Garcia Baltimore detention

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Friday

Senator Chris Van Hollen, right, sits with Kilmar Abrego Garcia — the Salvadorian citizen deported by the Trump administration — in El Salvador on Thursday

Senator Chris Van Hollen, right, sits with Kilmar Abrego Garcia — the Salvadorian citizen deported by the Trump administration — in El Salvador on April 17, 2025. Press Office Senator Van Hollen/Press Office Senator Van Hollen hide caption

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Press Office Senator Van Hollen/Press Office Senator Van Hollen

Immigration

Kilmar Abrego Garcia released from federal custody pending criminal trial

The case of Abrego Garcia, a Maryland man originally from El Salvador, raised basic questions of due process in Trump's crackdown on undocumented immigrants.

Tuesday

Too much to pack, not enough hugs: A Kenyan man's last 48 hours in America

Samuel Kangethe arrives with his luggage at the Detroit Metro Airport on August 17, 2025. Sergio Martínez-Beltrán/NPR hide caption

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Sergio Martínez-Beltrán/NPR

Immigration

Too much to pack, not enough hugs: A Kenyan man's last 48 hours in America

Samuel Kangethe has lived in the U.S. for nearly two decades, but an unresolved immigration case has made him deportable. He's decided to return to Kenya, leaving his wife and three children behind.

Too much to pack, not enough hugs: A Kenyan man’s last 48 hours in America

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Saturday

Samuel Kangethe cooks in his home on July 3, 2025, in Lansing, Michigan.

Samuel Kangethe cooks in his home on July 3 in Lansing, Michigan. Razi Jafri/NPR hide caption

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Razi Jafri/NPR

Immigration

'At least I'm safe': A Kenyan immigrant opts to leave the U.S. on his own terms

The Trump administration has given an ultimatum to immigrants without legal status: Leave voluntarily, or you'll be detained and deported. This has forced some immigrant families in the U.S. to grapple with very hard choices.

SELF-DEPORTATION MICHIGAN

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Thursday

An activist marches during a 2023 rally in Washington, D.C. for temporary protected status for Central American migrants to allow them to stay in the United States.

An activist marches during a 2023 rally in Washington, D.C. for temporary protected status for Central American migrants to allow them to stay in the United States. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images hide caption

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Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Immigration

Federal judge delays expiration of TPS for Hondurans, Nicaraguans and Nepalese

The Trump administration has said the conditions in the three countries have improved, therefore the immigrants can return back to their homelands. But federal Judge Trina Thompson suggested Trump's motives are discriminatory.

Monday

Immigration

Venezuelan deported to El Salvador mega-prison describes brutal abuse

Carlos Daniel Terán, a 19 year old Venezuelan who was picked up by ICE in Texas and sent to CECOT prison, says he was beaten and abused by guards at the maximum security prison in El Salvador.

CECOT DETAINEE SPEAKS

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Sunday

'Hell on Earth': Venezuelans deported to El Salvador mega-prison tell of brutal abuse
Andry Hernandez

The Americas

'Hell on Earth': Venezuelans deported to El Salvador mega-prison tell of brutal abuse

Deported under a little-known wartime law, more than 130 Venezuelans were sent from the U.S. to a maximum-security prison in El Salvador. Now released, several tell NPR they endured beatings, sexual abuse, and near-total isolation.

VENEZUELAN PRISONERS RETURNED

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Saturday

National

What it's like to cover the aftermath of deadly flooding?

In our latest Reporter's Notebook conversation, we explore what it's like to report on the aftermath of deadly flooding and how it impacts the people who survive.

What it's like to cover the aftermath of deadly flooding?

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Wednesday

Immigration

6 months into Trump's term, what are the biggest immigration changes so far?

Six months into his second stint at the White House, President Trump has used his power to fundamentally reshape immigration in America with an ongoing, aggressive crackdown on people in the country illegally.

6 months into Trump's term, what are the biggest immigration changes so far?

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Wednesday

Clinging to a tree, and praying: how a family survived the Texas flash floods

Taylor Bergmann poses for a portrait in his office in Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park in Kerrville, Texas on July 8, 2025. Sergio Martínez-Beltrán/NPR hide caption

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Sergio Martínez-Beltrán/NPR

National

Clinging to a tree, and praying: how a family survived the Texas flash floods

"I thought my mom was going to die in front of me," said Taylor Bergmann, a 19-year-old who fought to save the people in his family after the Guadalupe River smashed through their home.

Clinging to a tree, and praying: how a family survived the Texas flash floods

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Tuesday

National

Search-and-rescue efforts continue in Texas after flooding leaves more than 100 dead

Crews continue their search-and-rescue efforts in central Texas, four days after devastating flooding that left more than 100 people dead. Dozens are still missing.

Search-and-rescue efforts continue in Texas after flooding leaves more than 100 dead

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Monday

First responders search for missing people near Camp Mystic, an all girls summer camp along the Guadalupe River in Kerrville, Texas, on July 5, 2025.

First responders search for missing people near Camp Mystic, an all-girls summer camp along the Guadalupe River in Kerrville, Texas, on Saturday. Sergio Martínez-Beltrán/NPR hide caption

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Sergio Martínez-Beltrán/NPR

National

'The worst day of my life': Texas' Hill Country reels as deaths rise due to floods

Dozens of people have died in the Texas Hill Country. Scores of others are missing or unaccounted for. As rescue crews continue to search for victims, those who survived are coping with the loss.

Over 50 dead from July 4 floods in Texas, schoolgirls missing from camp

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Sunday

National

Over 50 dead from July 4 floods in Texas, schoolgirls missing from camp

The news from Central Texas, where July 4 rains caused severe flash flooding, continues to be grim. The number of deaths has risen to more than 50, according to state officials. Most, so far, are in Kerr County, according to the County sheriff.

Over 50 dead from July 4 floods in Texas, schoolgirls missing from camp

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Saturday

Debris and damage is seen at Kerrville River Park near the Guadalupe River in Kerrville, Texas, on Saturday after historic flooding killed dozens of people in the area and left dozens more missing.

Debris and damage is seen at Kerrville River Park near the Guadalupe River in Kerrville, Texas, on Saturday after historic flooding killed dozens of people in the area and left dozens more missing. RONALDO SCHEMIDT/AFP via Getty Images/Getty Images hide caption

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RONALDO SCHEMIDT/AFP via Getty Images/Getty Images

National

At least 78 dead and dozens missing after catastrophic Texas flooding

At least 78 people are dead following flooding that slammed central Texas over the weekend, while a desperate search for 11 missing from a camp for girls continues.

Floods sweep central Texas, killing at least 24 people

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National

At least 24 dead in Texas floods, rescue efforts still underway

At least 24 people are dead after flash flooding on the Guadalupe River in Texas. Rescue efforts are underway to find 20 people who are still missing.

At least 24 dead in Texas floods, rescue efforts still underway

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Wednesday

Monday

Dan Stein poses for a portrait at his home in Rockville, Md., on Tuesday, May 13, 2025.

Dan Stein poses for a portrait at his home in Rockville, Md., on May 13. Moriah Ratner for NPR hide caption

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Moriah Ratner for NPR

National

From the fringes to the mainstream: Meet the hard-line anti-immigration activist who helped shape Trump's agenda

The former leader of FAIR, the Federation for American Immigration Reform, Dan Stein, retired this year after more than 40 at the helm of the organization. The right-wing group has long fought to reduce immigration and for tougher border controls. Under President Trump, Stein's once-fringe ideas are now being enacted.

Anti-immigration advocate help shape Trump's agenda

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Sunday

National

People across the 50 states gather in 'No Kings' protests against Trump's policies

In cities around the country, people gathered for "No Kings" protests in opposition to President Trump's policies.

People across the 50 states gather in 'No Kings' protests against Trump's policies

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Saturday

News

No Kings protests take place across the country

No Kings protests will be held across the country. The protests are the same day as a military parade in Washington to celebrate the Army's 250th birthday.

No Kings protests take place across the country

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Friday

L.A. was first. Now it's your move, America.

How will we remember the LA ICE protests? Spencer Platt/Getty Images hide caption

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Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Analysis

It's Been a Minute

L.A. was first. Now it's your move, America.

Protests have spread across the country after dozens of workers were swept up in an ICE raid in Los Angeles last week, but the support for the protesters is far from universal.

L.A. was first. Now it's your move, America.

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Wednesday

Thousands of people marched throughout the streets of Manhattan Tuesday night as part of a series of nationwide rallies against President Trump’s immigration sweeps and the deployment of the U.S. military in California.

Thousands of people marched throughout the streets of Manhattan Tuesday night as part of a series of nationwide rallies against President Trump's immigration sweeps and the deployment of the U.S. military in California. Sergio Martínez-Beltrán/NPR hide caption

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Sergio Martínez-Beltrán/NPR

National

Protests grow across the U.S. as people push against Trump's mass deportation policies

Protests of President Trump's immigration policies grew across the U.S. on Tuesday, with rallies held in New York City, Chicago and Seattle.

Protests grow across the U.S. as people push against Trump’s deportation policies

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