Laura Rodríguez Presa

Laura Rodríguez Presa is a bilingual journalist covering the Latino community in the Chicago area. Formerly a multimedia reporter for Hoy, the Tribune’s Spanish-language newspaper, Laura focused on exposing the often untold stories of the Latino community. She aims to write pieces that transcend language, race, age and gender barriers.

Micaela Ortiz Arredondo, known as Ms. Mica, hands out free breakfast to students before class begins at 8:15 a.m. at Hibbard Elementary School on May 2, 2025, in Chicago's Albany Park neighborhood. Ms. Mica is a beloved custodian at the school and a top 10 finalist for the Cintas Custodian of the Year Award. (Audrey Richardson/Chicago Tribune)

CPS custodian finalist in national honor recognizing the often unsung work of school maintenance

May 3, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

Micaela "Mica" Ortiz, who works at Hibbard Elementary School in Albany Park, was recognized as a top 10 finalist for Cintas’ Custodian of the Year Award.

El Taco Azteca owner Martha Garcia at her restaurant in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood on April 11, 2025, following an attack on one of her employees by two women Saturday night. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

After a server at a Pilsen restaurant was attacked, a community wants justice

April 13, 2025 at 1:22 p.m.

As police continue the search for the two aggressors, the images of the beating over a $50 check still haunt some of the other workers at the restaurant.

Venezuelan migrant brothers José Gregorio González, black shirt, and Alfredo Pacheco, with mask, are reunited in Broadview after Gregorio Gonzalez was released from ICE custody to donate a kidney to his brother, April 4, 2025. Pacheco was diagnosed with end-stage kidney failure earlier this year. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

Venezuelan migrant temporarily released from ICE to donate kidney to brother: ‘He will get to save my life’

April 4, 2025 at 5:13 p.m.

Alfredo Pacheco, 37, of Cicero, is facing terminal renal failure. On Wednesday, ICE agreed to release José Gregorio González, 43, to undergo the transplant.

Alfredo Pacheco, a Venezuelan immigrant who earlier this year was diagnosed with end-stage kidney failure, displays a photo of himself and his brother José Gregorio González, March 26, 2025, in Cicero. González, also an immigrant from Venezuela, was set to donate a kidney to his brother but was detained by ICE agents. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

Venezuelan migrant to be temporarily released from ICE to donate kidney to ailing brother, attorney says

April 2, 2025 at 5:25 p.m.

Jose Gregorio Gonzalez, 43, would likely be released this week from detention in Clay County Detention Center in Indiana to donate a kidney to his younger brother.

Man in limbo after brother from Venezuela is detained while trying to donate kidney

April 2, 2025 at 4:46 p.m.

The two are pleading with immigration authorities to release Jose Gregorio González on humanitarian parole to donate the kidney.

A photo of Zulma Daniela Calderon Pacheco, 21, is displayed March 18, 2025, at the offices of Cavanagh Sorich Law Group while her family announced a lawsuit against Mansion Live and a security guard charged in her death. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Family of woman shot at Stone Park nightclub files lawsuit as suspect appears in court

March 18, 2025 at 3:52 p.m.

Zulma Daniela Calderon Pacheco, 21, of Chicago, was fatally shot March 8 at the Mansion Live nightclub in Stone Park by a security guard, officials said.

Yolanda Orozco, wife of Abel Orozco, wipes tears as she speaks during a press conference at the National Immigrant Justice Center on March 17, 2025. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

Families impacted by ICE raids denounce Trump administration’s arrests, file emergency motion

March 18, 2025 at 4:37 a.m.

The National Immigrant Justice Center and American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois filed a motion in Chicago’s U.S. District Court seeking the release of two people still detained.

Francisca, a mother of four who uses a wheelchair, worries about losing access to health care this summer, when people between the ages of 42 and 64 will no longer be covered by an Illinois program that provides taxpayer-funded insurance to immigrants like her who are in the country without legal permission. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)

Immigrant families scramble as state health insurance for some noncitizens faces the axe in Gov. JB Pritzker’s budget plan

March 18, 2025 at 7:23 p.m.

The impact of Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker's plan to eliminate a health insurance program for noncitizen immigrants ages 42 to 64.

Illinois State Rep. Theresa Mah speaks to people attending a “Know Your Rights” gathering organized by immigrant advocates in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood on Nov. 7, 2024. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

Chicago landlord ordered to pay $80,000 for threatening to call ICE on tenants, a first under 2019 state law

March 5, 2025 at 2:08 p.m.

An Illinois circuit court judge ordered a Chicago landlord last month to pay $80,000 to former tenants after threatening to call ICE on them during a verbal dispute in June...

Valentina Xol, 2, plays with her father, Fernando Pec, during a church service for Guatemalan migrants conducted in a native language on Feb. 23, 2025, on the Southwest Side. Valentina's mother, Olga Cuz, is at right. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Rooted in faith, an unseen but growing community of Guatemalans in Chicago defies deportation fears in face of Trump

March 7, 2025 at 1:19 p.m.

In Chicago, the resources available to Guatemalans have not kept pace with their population growth. Few organizations offer resources in Indigenous languages. And most don’t trust government agencies, leading them...

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