Maya Rao
Reporter
Race and ImmigrationRao wrote for The Press of Atlantic City and The Philadelphia Inquirer before moving to Minnesota in January 2012. She previously covered the federal government for the Star Tribune.
Latest from Maya Rao
News & Politics
2 men found guilty in deadly Minnesota border crossing case
A jury convicted two men on all counts for their roles in a human smuggling network that arranged the passage of a family of four migrants who froze to death as they got lost in a blizzard.
November 22, 2024
Greater Minnesota
Jury to decide fate of two men charged with cold-weather deaths of family found at Canada-Minnesota border
Defense attorneys urged jurors to think critically about testimony and question whether sufficient evidence has been presented in the case.
November 22, 2024
Greater Minnesota
Survivor of harrowing blizzard walk across Canada-Minnesota border testifies in smuggling ring trial
Migrant recalled that after walking five or six hours in the snow, he and only one other person made it to the van that was supposed to pick up all 11 from his group. One family of four did not survive the night.
November 21, 2024
Greater Minnesota
Trial witness describes vast smuggling network that brought migrant family who froze to death to America
A convicted smuggler testified Tuesday that the family called a smuggler in Canada as they struggled to bear the cold weather and were told to come back to be picked up, but no one came.
November 20, 2024
Greater Minnesota
Attorney for one man charged in migrant family’s death on Canada-Minnesota border says he was duped
Lawyer for cab driver said co-defendant was “an unknowing participant” in smuggling enterprise.
November 19, 2024
Greater Minnesota
Trial begins Monday in Fergus Falls, Minn., in case of Indian migrant family who froze to death at border
Two men are accused of participating in a large smuggling ring that brought people into the U.S.
November 17, 2024
Elections
Democrats lost support with Somali Minnesota voters in presidential election
Concerns about the Israel-Gaza war, the economy and not feeling heard contributed to shifting political tide.
November 13, 2024
Elections
Minnesota Muslims are divided over presidential race, with some abandoning Democrats over Gaza
The Abandon Harris movement, which started in Minnesota, is encouraging Muslims to cast a protest vote.
November 1, 2024
Greater Minnesota
Attorney for one man charged in migrant family’s death on Canada-Minnesota border says he was duped
Lawyer for cab driver said co-defendant was “an unknowing participant” in smuggling enterprise.
November 19, 2024
Greater Minnesota
Trial begins Monday in Fergus Falls, Minn., in case of Indian migrant family who froze to death at border
Two men are accused of participating in a large smuggling ring that brought people into the U.S.
November 17, 2024
Elections
Democrats lost support with Somali Minnesota voters in presidential election
Concerns about the Israel-Gaza war, the economy and not feeling heard contributed to shifting political tide.
November 13, 2024
Elections
Minnesota Muslims are divided over presidential race, with some abandoning Democrats over Gaza
The Abandon Harris movement, which started in Minnesota, is encouraging Muslims to cast a protest vote.
November 1, 2024