Simón Rios is an award-winning reporter, covering immigration, politics and local enterprise stories for WBUR.
He joined the station in 2015 after two years at The Standard-Times in New Bedford. His first assignment at WBUR was to cover “Snowmaggedon,” the blizzards that led to the snowiest winter in Boston’s history. More recently he has covered the impact of immigration enforcement on local communities.
Over a decade at WBUR, Simón’s coverage areas have ranged from housing to politics. His radio and print stories have garnered multiple awards, including for a three part series in 2024, tracing a Haitian family’s journey to Massachusetts and through the state shelter system.
Originally from Boston’s Jamaica Plain neighborhood, Simón graduated from Emerson College in 2005. Before journalism, his job titles included barroom musician, carpenter’s helper and cab driver.
Simón is fluent in Spanish. He also speaks basic Portuguese — or “Portuñol” to be more precise. He makes furniture and music in his free time.
Recently published
The vast majority of men in ICE custody in Mass. are classified as 'no threat'
About 85% of federal detainees held by ICE in Plymouth County this year have been classified as “no ICE threat” by the agency. That category began exploding by the last...
He led one of the largest immigration raids in U.S. history. Here’s what he thinks 18 years later
One of the ICE agents behind the high-profile New Bedford raid spoke to WBUR's All Things Considered about where the immigration system stands almost two decades later.
Video shows Haverhill man calling for help during struggle with police before his death
The Essex County district attorney's office released a video compiling the final hours in 43-year-old Francis Gigliotti's life. He died July 11 after seven Haverhill police officers pinned him to...
How Trump’s big law impacts Massachusetts
From health insurance to immigration enforcement and higher ed taxes, the WBUR newsroom took a look at how some key provisions may have an impact on residents and programs in...
Trump fires immigration judges while adding billions of dollars for ICE
Trump's massive spending packing is adding tens of billions for immigration enforcement and deportations. But immigration lawyers say it’s hard to imagine how that’ll happen with fewer judges on the...
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As Mass. closes shelter hotels, state funds for rent subsidies run out
Massachusetts is shuttering dozens of hotel shelters and grappling with how to house people. Meanwhile, the program used to provide rental subsidies for those exiting shelters has run out of...
Fearing family separation, local immigrants assign 'caregivers' to take in children
Advocates say a growing number of immigrants are seeking ways to grant privileges to family or friends willing to care for their children in case families are separated.
Milford High student released from ICE detention, and congressmen tour controversial Burlington facility
After his release, the teen described having to stay in the Burlington office facility for six days, sleeping on a concrete floor with a mylar blanket, in an open room...
Human rights organizations sue El Salvador over migrants held in secretive prison
Julio Henríquez, a human rights and immigration lawyer at Boston university, joined WBUR's All Things Considered to discuss the lawsuit.
ICE, U.S. Attorney say 1,500 arrested in Mass. during immigration enforcement in May
Of that group, ICE Boston's Patricia Hyde said 790 had what she called "significant criminality" either in the U.S. or in their home countries.