With immigration perpetually at the forefront of U.S. political discourse, it’s more important than ever for journalists to know how to cut through the noise and report with accuracy, context, and humanity.
The National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) has addressed this challenge with the newly updated 2025 edition of its Cultural Competence Handbook, a comprehensive resource for covering immigration and the complex identity issues intertwined with it.
First launched in August 2020, the handbook’s goal is to “promote fair, accurate, and inclusive coverage of the Latino community by helping journalists communicate about diverse identities and experiences,” says NAHJ Executive Director Yaneth Guillen.
It provides the vocabulary to navigate diversity issues while avoiding stereotypes, complements existing guides like the AP Stylebook, and is designed as a living resource that will continue to evolve with feedback and changing conversations. For example, earlier this year, in direct response to newsroom requests, the NAHJ published its “Guidelines for Reporting on Immigration Raids” — guidance drawn directly from the principles of the previous handbook.
The 2025 edition builds on this foundation, moving beyond simply describing best practices to offering a sharper, more practical guide for reporters covering an increasingly diverse United States.
The guide is a significant refresh from 2020, reflecting the dynamic nature of language and identity.
A Sharper Focus on Immigration
It offers extensive guidance on framing stories that go beyond politics and border control and instead focus on understanding legal statuses and centering the lived experiences of migrants. A detailed migration glossary provides journalists with precise definitions for terms like “asylum seeker,” “refugee,” and “climate migration.”
Evolving Language and Identity
The handbook incorporates updated demographic data and adds guidance on gender-neutral terms like “Latine.” It also reflects intersecting identities, such as being both LGBTQIA+ and Latino, and provides recommendations for covering multiracial identities and health disparities with cultural competence.
The focus on precise language seeks to encourage journalists to make conscious word choices that respect dignity and complexity, ensuring that their reporting not only informs the public but also reflects the lived realities of the people and communities they cover.
Emphasis on Framing and Agency
A core tenet of the guide is that “Avoiding stereotypes isn’t just about word choice — it’s about sourcing, framing, and showing communities as more than their crises.” It urges journalists to avoid dehumanizing terms like “illegal alien,” explain their word choices to readers, and focus on people’s agency rather than portraying them solely as victims.
A Modern Tool for Modern Newsrooms
In a groundbreaking move that recognizes the demands of modern journalism, the handbook can be queried directly in ChatGPT. This makes it a real-time resource for reporters on deadline, allowing them to ask specific, scenario-based questions.
Imagine a reporter crafting a prompt such as: “I'm covering a breaking story about an ICE enforcement operation at a local workplace. How do I report on this accurately and ethically — without endangering undocumented individuals, spreading panic, repeating law enforcement talking points uncritically, or exposing myself to legal risk?” The handbook is now equipped to provide immediate, ethical guidance.
The response from the journalism community has been overwhelmingly positive. “Members and outside groups, including other journalism organizations, have praised the handbook as a valuable resource that fills a real need in the industry. They’ve highlighted its practicality, clarity, and importance in fostering more accurate and inclusive coverage,” says Guillén.
Looking ahead, NAHJ is committed to expanding the handbook’s reach, with plans to publish a Spanish-language version in 2026.
The 2025 NAHJ Cultural Competence Handbook is available as a free PDF download at NAHJ.org.
