News

Who is Jorge Ramos, Univision Anchor?

by April Siese

Donald Trump got more than he bargained for during a news conference in Iowa, when a Univision broadcaster was ejected after repeatedly asking questions about his immigration policy. The journalist was forcibly removed after refusing to sit down, prompting a wave of questions from members of the media about the ousting. Who is Jorge Ramos, the Univision anchor who was kicked out of Trump's event? He's a legend among the Spanish-speaking media, and has been asking hard-hitting questions about immigration reform for years.

The Noticiero Univision anchor and Al Punto host holds a communications degree from Ibero-American University, as well as a Master's Degree in international studies from the University of Miami. At 28, he became one of the youngest national news anchors in North America, after signing on to helm Noticiero Univision, and he has been doing so since 1986.

Ramos has won countless awards for his dogged reporting, including a Lifetime of Achievement in Hispanic Television, multiple Emmys, and a Journalist of the Year award from the Latin Business Club of America. The anchor is also a prolific author, and has written in great detail about his experiences as an immigrant, as well as the difficulties still faced by those seeking a better life in the United States. His autobiography No Borders: A Journalist’s Search for Home and book A Country for All: An Immigrant Manifesto provide revelatory looks at the issue from a man who's truly lived with its consequences and inefficiencies.

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images News/Getty Images

Ramos came to America a little over three decades ago, after quitting a Mexico City broadcasting job over the company's alleged censoring of one of his segments on Mexico's government. He has since thrived in the United States, taking a job with Los Angeles' KMEX-TV while also enrolled in a UCLA extended study journalism program. Ramos' candid style and tenacity has paved the way for deeper, more honest conversations about the rising Hispanic population. Regarding U.S. politics, he was especially critical of the last presidential election's lack of Latin representation when it came to debate moderation. He has been just as critical of the pageantry around the 2016 election, as well as how candidates are handling issues of immigration.

JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images

Given Trump's current lawsuit against Univision over its cancellation of its contract to broadcast the Miss USA pageant, it's unsurprising that the two would verbally spar. Ramos' questions for the candidate included asking if he was "spreading hate" with his at-times incredibly offensive comments about Mexican immigrants.

Following Ramos' removal from the room, Trump answered a few questions about the incident. He then allowed the journalist to return, reportedly telling Ramos, "I have a bigger heart than you do." Univision CEO Isaac Lee has defended Ramos' behavior, and is requesting a sit-down interview between the two. If Ramos were to land an interview with Trump, both his profile and the plight of immigrants everywhere would undoubtedly be elevated even further.