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Check FAQAbout Austin
Austin Landis is a video & digital journalist covering migration and Latin America from Colombia, using her experience closely covering the United States' evolving immigration policy for the last four years. Austin spent the last five years reporting on national politics in Washington for Spectrum News and Scripps. She most recently worked as the White House reporter for Spectrum, founding the company’s first-ever membership in the White House press pool and briefing room. She speaks Spanish and is passionate about revealing the human impact of politics and policy. Austin is available for video packages, live hits and analysis, audio stories and digital/text stories. Her background is in broadcast journalism, but she primarily wrote daily and enterprise text stories for Spectrum’s burgeoning digital platforms for the last two-and-a-half years.
English
Spanish
Video Package (Web / Broadcast)
Audio package (Radio / Podcast)
Interview (Video / Broadcast)
Portfolio
Even Before Latest Violence, Thousands of Haitians Fled for US
Prior to the recent surge in violence, thousands of Haitians had already been leaving their country due to economic and political instability. Many initially moved to South America, seeking employment opportunities before attempting to reach the United States. VOA's Austin Landis spoke with a Haitian man at the Colombia-Panama border who was preparing to cross the dangerous Darien Gap.
Even Before Latest Violence, Thousands of Haitians Fled for US
Prior to the recent surge in violence, thousands of Haitians had already been leaving their country due to economic and political instability. Many initially move to South America, seeking employment opportunities before attempting to reach the United States. VOA's Austin Landis spoke with a Haitian man at the Colombia-Panama border who is preparing to cross the dangerous Darien Gap.
Collateral Damage: U.S. Forgoes Condolence Payments In Iraq, Syria I produced this year-long investigation for Scripps/Newsy, revealing civilian compensation is nearly absent in the war against ISIS, even as the U.S. takes blame for unintentional deaths.
Afghan Allies To The U.S. Risk Their Lives But Wait Years For A Visa -- Newsy/Scripps News -- One translator worked for the U.S. for nine years. The Taliban threatened to kill him for it. But it took him three years to get a U.S. visa.
State to state, inflation takes a bite out of $1.2T infrastructure law's value -- Spectrum News/NY1 -- The same inflationary pressures pinching consumers are echoing throughout the building industry, cutting into the value of federal infrastructure funds.
Pressure builds for Biden administration to evacuate Afghans who helped U.S. troops
On-air Reporting Reel - 2023
Biden indicates he'll visit East Palestine derailment site 'at some point'
President Joe Biden plans to visit East Palestine, Ohio, following a train derailment that released toxic chemicals. No date for the visit has been set. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and EPA Administrator Michael Regan have visited the site, addressing health concerns. Ohio Senators JD Vance and Sherrod Brown proposed legislation to improve rail safety. The EPA established an office in East Palestine for air monitoring and cleanup, and federal agencies are conducting door-to-door checks. Norfolk Southern is responsible for the cleanup costs.
Biden meets with Senate Dems on Capitol Hill
President Joe Biden visited the Senate Democrats' weekly lunch on Capitol Hill to rally support amidst GOP legislative roadblocks. He faced the caucus after two Democratic senators voted for a bill he is set to veto. Biden has shifted focus to implementing his agenda with the House under Republican control. He urged House Democrats to promote their accomplishments ahead of the 2024 elections. Biden criticized the GOP for creating a debt ceiling crisis and accused them of planning to cut Medicare and Social Security. He is preparing to release his budget proposal, which will begin negotiations with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
A year into Ukraine war, some in U.S. face expiring status
Ukrainians who fled to the U.S. after the Russian invasion, like Iryna Kramareva's family, are facing the expiration of their temporary humanitarian parole status. Nearly 300,000 Ukrainians have been welcomed, with various programs offering temporary protection. Advocates and organizations are urging the Biden administration and Congress to provide extended support to prevent these individuals from entering legal limbo. Kramareva's family is seeking asylum and may apply for Temporary Protected Status, while receiving limited federal aid and community support. The UN Refugee Agency reports over eight million Ukrainians have fled, with a majority wishing to return, but for some, like Kramareva, returning is not viable due to the destruction of their city and personal circumstances.
New rule would impose narrowest asylum access yet under Biden
The Biden administration announced a new rule to restrict asylum access at the U.S. border, requiring migrants to seek asylum in another country first or use a glitch-prone mobile app, CBP One. Immigration advocates criticized the proposal as a near-total ban on asylum, violating U.S. and international law. The policy is expected to face legal challenges. DHS and Justice Department officials justify the restrictions due to anticipated surges in border crossings once pandemic-related restrictions end. Exceptions to the rule include unaccompanied children and those facing immediate threats. Critics, including the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, argue the rule revives harmful Trump-era policies and fails to recognize the dangers migrants face in transit countries.
New rule would impose narrowest asylum access yet under Biden
The Biden administration announced a new rule to restrict asylum access at the U.S. border, requiring migrants to seek asylum in another country first or use a glitch-prone mobile app, CBP One. Immigration advocates criticized the proposal as a near-total ban on asylum, violating U.S. and international law. The policy is expected to face legal challenges. DHS anticipates a surge in border arrivals once pandemic-related restrictions end, with projections of 11,000-13,000 daily encounters. Exceptions to the rule include unaccompanied children and those facing immediate threats. The rule is set to take effect after a 30-day public comment period and last for two years.
White House: 'We just don't know' what three downed objects are
White House and military officials have not yet identified the three objects shot down over the U.S. since Friday. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Mark Milley confirmed the lack of knowledge about the objects and the miss of one missile in Lake Huron. The intelligence community suspects the objects might be commercial balloons. Recovery operations are ongoing, with debris from a previous Chinese spy balloon incident already recovered. Senators received a classified briefing, with some calling for more public disclosure. Safety protocols were emphasized, and adjustments to radar surveillance were made following the Chinese spy balloon incident.
Takeaways from Biden's State of the Union address
President Joe Biden delivered his second State of the Union address, focusing on bipartisan achievements, economic recovery post-COVID-19, infrastructure progress, and the need to unite and 'finish the job.' He highlighted the reduction of inflation, job growth, and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act's impact. Biden addressed criticism over inflation, touted deficit reduction, and defended Social Security and Medicare against proposed cuts. He also discussed combating fentanyl, cancer research, mental health, and veterans' support. Biden called for police reform, honoring Tyre Nichols, and urged Congress to restore abortion rights and protect LGBTQ+ Americans. He concluded by emphasizing democracy, unity, and optimism for America's future.
At Capitol, top border agents ask for reform, resources
Top border patrol agents testified before U.S. lawmakers for the first time under the Biden administration, describing the surge in arrivals at the southwest border as overwhelming and advocating for resources and reform. Tucson and Rio Grande Valley sector chiefs emphasized the need for a combination of personnel, technology, and physical barriers to secure the border. House Oversight Committee chairman James Comer stated that the Department of Homeland Security initially tried to prevent the agents from testifying. The agents highlighted the challenges they face, including rescuing migrants and managing resources. Democrats criticized Republicans for allegedly villainizing migrants and not offering clear solutions, while the White House accused Republicans of political motives for the hearing.
Biden, Harris tout infrastructure rollout in Philadelphia
President Joe Biden announced a $500 million plan to upgrade Philadelphia's water system and replace lead service lines, funded by the bipartisan infrastructure law. The law has allocated $1.2 billion for 23 states, including Pennsylvania. Vice President Harris discussed the negative impacts of lead-contaminated water on children and announced a new accelerator program for lead pipe removal. Biden and Harris were also scheduled to speak at a Democratic National Committee event in Philadelphia. Biden faces scrutiny from a Republican-led House and criticism over handling of classified documents. He calls for political unity ahead of the State of the Union address, while criticizing the Republican Party's alignment with Trump's 'Make America Great Again' movement.
Biden admin. tackles credit card late fees in latest competition push
The Biden administration announced a new effort to reduce credit card late fees, which could save Americans up to $9 billion annually. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau proposed a rule to cap late fees at $8 and limit them to a quarter of the minimum payment, ending automatic inflation increases. CFPB Director Rohit Chopra emphasized the need to restore competition and reduce junk fees. The proposal is open for public comment for 60 days. President Biden discussed the importance of fairness and restoring faith in government and the private sector. The American Bankers Association criticized the proposal as extreme and potentially harmful to consumers.
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