Sebastián Hidalgo for Borderless MagazineChicago struggles with housing for migrants, environmental racism and more stories we will be following in the new year.
Overcrowded shelters, unhoused migrants at police stations, a backlog on temporary protected status applications largely dominated the immigration conversation in 2023.
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Over the past year, city officials have struggled to find homes for thousands of asylum seekers arriving in Chicago since August 2022. Amid the scramble, nonprofits and mutual aid groups have attempted to fill gaps in support for migrants. Borderless covered these stories, along with a flood disaster in Cicero, a long-delayed cleanup in West Chicago, a series highlighting Black immigrants in Chicago, and much more in 2023.
As we start the new year, here are some stories we’ll closely watch in 2024. Your questions, observations, and experiences are critical to our work. Share them with us on social media or via info@borderlessmag.org.
City Struggles to Support Migrants
Chicago and other major cities have struggled to respond to the needs of new arrivals sent by bus and plane from the border. City officials have faced scrutiny following the death of a five-year-old boy who died after becoming sick at the shelter. The death came days after Borderless investigated harsh living conditions described by many migrants. Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration said the city is investigating the boy’s death.
Environmental Racism
Last summer, suburban Cicero saw floods that left scores of families grappling with damaged homes. Months later, many from the majority Latino neighborhood are still working to get their homes back in order. We will continue to report on how climate change and environmental challenges disproportionately impact our Black and Brown communities. With the support of Report for America, Borderless Magazine will hire an environmental reporter in 2024 to cover the intersection of environmental racism and immigration.
2024 Presidential Election
The 2024 Presidential election is gearing up to be a rematch between President Joe Biden and Donald Trump. The former president, who is facing a series of lawsuits, has made immigration a focal point of his campaign, saying he would plan the largest deportation effort in America and station oversees troops at the border. The rhetoric has drawn ire from even staunch supporters. The 2024 election will surely have a lasting impact on immigration policy for decades to come. Borderless will continue to center the voices of immigrants most impacted by the proposed policies.
Bring power to immigrant voices!
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