Melissa Sanchez is a reporter at ProPublica. She joined ProPublica in 2017 and is focused on immigrants and low-wage workers. Her work de ella here examining Chicago's punitive ticketing and debt collection system helped prompt major reforms, including changes to state law and an end to driver's license suspensions over ticket debt. She previously worked for The Chicago Reporter, Catalyst Chicago, el Nuevo Herald in Miami and the Yakima (Wash.) Herald-Republic, and has received numerous local and national awards for her reporting. She lives in Chicago with her husband, their two young children and two cats. She is the daughter of immigrants from Mexico and El Salvador, and she speaks Spanish. Melissa Sanchez is a reporter for ProPublica. She joined the team in 2017 and focuses on stories about immigrants and low-income workers. Reporting of her examining Chicago's traffic ticket system prompted major reforms, including new state laws that removed the rule that suspended driver's licenses for traffic debts. Previously, Melissa worked for The Chicago Reporter, Catalyst Chicago, El Nuevo Herald in Miami, and the Yakima Herald-Republic in Washington state. She has received several local and national awards for her reporting. She lives in Chicago with her husband, two young children, and two spoiled cats. She is the daughter of immigrants from Mexico and El Salvador and speaks Spanish.