María Hinojosa: ‘It would be incredible to have two women leading North America with an inclusive and female vision’

Developing professionally while taking on caregiving tasks is a challenge for countless women. And, if you’re an immigrant, a mother and a journalist, the challenges are further multiplied.

María Hinojosa, 63, is an example of how all these facets can coexist and complement each other. With more than 30 years of experience, she has won four Emmy Awards, the Pulitzer Prize in audio reporting and the Edward R. Murrow Award. And, in addition to her journalistic work, she’s a researcher, writer, producer, university professor and mentor to hundreds of women.

Born in Mexico City, Hinojosa has no qualms about saying that Mexico will always be her home, no matter what happens. This is despite the fact that she’s lived in the United States since the age of one. Throughout her time as a journalist, she’s worked tirelessly to tell the stories of those who are often ignored by the system. Her body of work — reports, radio shows, documentaries and podcasts — has been a powerful voice for the Latino community in the United States, giving visibility to the experiences of migrants, fighting for social justice and creating spaces where those who have been silenced can be heard.

In a video call with EL PAÍS — logging on from her country house in Connecticut — she speaks about her migration story, the weight of the Latino vote in the upcoming elections on November 5, the consequences of a second term for Donald Trump and the importance of analyzing misinformation on social media. Despite the adverse outlook, her enthusiasm is perceived in each of her words. “Every cloud has a silver lining,” she says.

Question. What does it mean for you to be Latina in the United States?

Answer. That’s a question with many answers, depending on the historical moment. In 2024 — a few days before the elections — being Latino, Latina, Latine, or Latinx carries a very heavy weight. Identifying yourself in this way implies recognizing that Latinos not only exist, but that we have a significant weight within the United States. It’s assuming our identity in a geopolitical context. Today, that identification has a deeply political component.

I remember assuming my identity as proudly Latina in college. Before that, I always saw myself simply as Mexican. At the time, it was a political decision for me, although I didn’t feel the attention I feel now. Back then, we were present, we spoke, but we weren’t the focus of hatred or rejection. Today, unfortunately, things have changed. Donald Trump’s project — which has channeled his hatred towards immigrants, especially Mexicans — has transformed perceptions. Being Latino in the United States today isn’t a simple thing. We’re under the spotlight, and that spotlight is often accompanied by hatred and rejection.

Q. How has your identity influenced the work you do and the stories you choose to tell?

A. For me, the starting point was understanding that being a journalist in the United States couldn’t be separated from the importance of representation. From the beginning, I knew that my work as a journalist wasn’t limited to a specific area, such as fashion, business, or climate change. My identity as the first Latina in many of the newsrooms where I worked gave me a greater responsibility: that of representation. As a woman, immigrant, Mexican and Latina, I’ve always sought to broaden the focus of stories, making sure that they’re told from all possible realities.

Q. You told your migration story in the book, Once I Was You: A Memoir of Love and Hate in a Torn America (2020). What was that process like?

A. Throughout my career, one of the most intense topics I’ve covered has been immigration and the life of migrants. But when Donald Trump took office in 2016 and began his policy of separating children from their families — a practice that was already in place but intensified under his administration — everything changed for me. The turning point was when an investigative journalist from ProPublica released recordings of children crying after being separated from their families. My mother — upon hearing those cries — called me crying and confessed something I didn’t know: when we arrived in the United States, something similar almost happened to me.

The hardest thing to write was the introduction. The great writer Sandra Cisneros — my muse — told me: “write about the things you want to forget.” And that’s what I did.

Q. What would a second term for Donald Trump imply for the Latino community?

A. Many people in this country will have a hard time. The policy announced by Donald Trump — which advocates for mass deportations — would bring a profound and negative change to Latino communities. Families would be torn apart. And many people who continue to come [to this country] with the hope of finding the American dream — whether they’re fleeing violence, poverty, or natural disasters — would end up in detention centers, facing abuse and human rights violations.

Q. What would happen if Kamala Harris were to become the first female president?

A. It would be a historic and powerful moment, especially if we see it in conjunction with Claudia Sheinbaum recently coming to power in Mexico. Both [political leaders] are women who have already demonstrated their ability: they have nothing left to prove to anyone. It would be incredible to have two women leading North America, with the United States and Mexico collaborating from a renewed perspective, with a more inclusive and female vision.

Q. How important is the Latino vote in these elections?

A. The Latino presence in the United States continues to grow. We’ve reached a crucial point in which the Latino vote carries a decisive weight. Especially in the swing states, we’ll be the ones who make the difference and decide which way the result leans. This is evident in places such as Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, Georgia, and, most notably, in Arizona.

Q. You’ve promoted La Mentirota — a project done in collaboration with the portal Factchequeado — which analyzes viral disinformation. Why is it important to carry out this type of analysis?

A. It’s crucial because Democrats risk losing the Latino vote. What I initially thought would be surefire support for Kamala Harris has changed due to the spread of lies and misinformation, especially targeting Latinos in Spanish. When speaking to voters, I’ve noticed with concern how many Latinos — who previously supported a pro-immigrant agenda — are now considering voting for Donald Trump. I’m surprised by how many people believe in Trump’s image as a good negotiator and think that the economy and [public safety] are in crisis, while blaming migrants for these problems. On the other hand, it’s been fascinating to observe how the Republican Party — under Trump’s leadership — has persisted in capturing the Latino vote by using and repeating lies.

Q. Can you elaborate on the lies being told by the Republican Party?

A. Donald Trump isn’t the great dealmaker he claims to be. He’s gone bankrupt at least four times or more. He doesn’t personally manage his businesses, but his name is what gives them value; he gets his name placed on hotels and gets paid by those who use it… but that doesn’t mean he knows how to run a business. The economy during his term was largely impacted by the pandemic. Some well-off people were able to acquire property and enjoy their free time, which left them with good memories. However, the reality is that Trump left the country in economic disarray. As for public safety, the data also belies his claims. According to the FBI, violent crime has decreased by 50% over the last 30 years, which contradicts the narrative of chaos and danger that he promotes.

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