For Hispanic Heritage Month, Radio Catskill speaks with Isabelle Taft, immigration reporter for New York Focus, about her work covering the intersection of immigration, state policy, and human stories across New York.

Taft’s reporting sheds light on how state and local governments are responding to federal immigration enforcement — from county jails holding ICE detainees to statewide efforts to resettle recent arrivals. Her stories highlight how these policies shape not only immigrant lives but the entire fabric of New York communities.

“People think of immigration as a federal issue,” Taft says, “but what local sheriffs, mayors, and state officials do has a huge impact on whether New York lives up to its values.”

She also discusses the challenges of reaching detained or fearful sources and the importance of making direct contact with those most affected. “I try to make sure I’m hearing from people who are directly impacted, not just officials,” she explains.

As New York continues to navigate its role as a place of refuge and reinvention, Taft’s work underscores a truth at the heart of Hispanic Heritage Month — that telling the stories of immigrants is essential to understanding who we are.