Before joining The Associated Press, Mayes-Osterman covered the Pentagon and national security from Washington, D.C., for USA TODAY. She previously worked as an associate producer for PBS NewsHour and Washington Week.
A New Mexico native, Mayes-Osterman entered journalism as an intern at the Santa Fe Reporter. She holds a degree in English literature, creative writing, and East Asian studies from Barnard College. Outside of work, she sings jazz.
Beat: The impact of federal immigration enforcement
This reporter covers the impact of federal immigration policy on Chicago and other American cities. Chicago was among the first major U.S. cities to experience sustained immigration sweeps throughout the city and suburbs in 2025. This reporter will cover law enforcement, community response, politics, courts and policy with a focus on accountability and solutions reporting.