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Immigration Policy

Beatriz Ponce de Leon, Deputy Mayor for Immigration, Migrant and Refugee Rights, speaks as protesters and local officials filled the lobby at City Hall Jan. 13, 2025 to rally in support of the city's Welcoming City ordinance in the face of Ald. Raymond Lopez (15th) and Ald. Silvana Tabares (23rd)’s proposed changes to the ordinance.Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago
Trump Deportations Could Start In Chicago Tuesday, Reports Say. The City’s Immigrants Are Preparing Immigration Policy

Trump Deportations Could Start In Chicago Tuesday, Reports Say. The City’s Immigrants Are Preparing

As many as 200 ICE officers will be sent to Chicago next week, according to national reports. Chicago leaders are doubling down on efforts to support immigrants amid fears.
and January 18, 2025
Saleha Soadat for Borderless Magazine
Borderless Magazine’s Favorite Stories of 2024 Arts & CultureBroken-Winged Birds: Afghans in ExileEnvironmentEspañolHealthImmigration PolicyInvestigationLaborStaff pickVisuals

Borderless Magazine’s Favorite Stories of 2024

An Afghan refugee seeking his pilot license, backlog and attorney shortages in immigration court, Latino residents pushing for more green space on the Southwest Side and more stories Borderless reported on Chicago’s immigrant communities.
December 23, 2024
Photo illustration by Max Herman/Borderless Magazine. Photo by Max Herman
Illinois Makes Housing Discrimination Based on Immigration Status a Civil Rights Violation Immigration PolicyTrending

Illinois Makes Housing Discrimination Based on Immigration Status a Civil Rights Violation

The state-expanded protections prohibit housing providers from discriminating against a person based on actual or perceived immigration status. A real estate attorney breaks down what this expanded law means.
July 15, 2024
Photo illustration by Max Herman/Borderless Magazine. Photo by Max Herman / additional photo from Canva
Buying a Home is Hard. It’s Even More Difficult When You’re Undocumented. Immigration PolicyStaff pickTrending

Buying a Home is Hard. It’s Even More Difficult When You’re Undocumented.

Undocumented immigrants have long faced a narrow path to homeownership, but in recent years, some local community banks are slowly expanding lending options to help noncitizens realize their dream of owning a home.
July 2, 2024
Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago
Lost in translation: Migrant kids struggle in segregated Chicago schools EducationImmigration PolicyTrendingVisuals

Lost in translation: Migrant kids struggle in segregated Chicago schools

Two years after busloads of migrant children began arriving in Chicago, many have landed in schools where most don’t speak Spanish. Custodians and kindergarten teachers are taking on the role of translator, but students are still falling behind.
and May 21, 2024
Max Herman/Borderless Magazine
After Decades of Disinvestment, Black and Latino Leaders Want ‘Profound Transformation’ Amid Migrant Crisis HealthImmigration PolicyOrganizingStaff pickTrendingUncategorized

After Decades of Disinvestment, Black and Latino Leaders Want ‘Profound Transformation’ Amid Migrant Crisis

Although tensions have flared throughout the humanitarian crisis, Black and Brown leaders see an opportunity to unite and advocate for Chicago’s South and West Sides.
April 29, 2024
Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago
Migrants Navigate State’s Apartment Program On Their Own As Evictions Loom and Help Runs Dry Immigration PolicyTrending

Migrants Navigate State’s Apartment Program On Their Own As Evictions Loom and Help Runs Dry

The Asylum Seeker Emergency Rental Assistance Program has helped 4,600 households move into apartments. But some migrants supported by the program could lose their homes if they can’t find work.
, and March 18, 2024
Mauricio Peña/Borderless Magazine
Investigation: Chicago Ignored Dozens of Warnings of Migrant Shelter Conditions Before Child’s Death HealthImmigration PolicyInvestigationTrending

Investigation: Chicago Ignored Dozens of Warnings of Migrant Shelter Conditions Before Child’s Death

Despite warnings, numerous hospitalizations and dozens of reports, Chicago officials continuously funneled thousands of migrants into an industrial warehouse that was never meant to house people.
, and February 27, 2024
Mauricio Peña/Borderless Magazine
Investigation: Migrants Describe Inhumane Conditions at Chicago’s Largest Shelter EnvironmentHealthImmigration PolicyInvestigation

Investigation: Migrants Describe Inhumane Conditions at Chicago’s Largest Shelter

Just days after Illinois Gov. Pritzker shut down a proposed shelter due to health concerns, Venezuelan migrants living in the Pilsen shelter say they are being treated “like dogs.’’
, and December 14, 2023
Migrants walk to a city bus after being sent to Chicago from Texas by Gov. Greg AbbottJesus J. Montero for Borderless Magazine
Newly-arrived Venezuelan migrants can now apply for TPS protections. Here’s How. Immigration PolicyResourcesTrending

Newly-arrived Venezuelan migrants can now apply for TPS protections. Here’s How.

The Department of Homeland Security announced Wednesday they would be extending and redesignating Temporary Protected Status for Venezuela, allowing Venezuelan immigrants to receive temporary permissions to live and work in the United States.
and September 21, 2023
Gonzalo Guzman for Borderless Magazine
Here’s How to Access Immigrant Health Benefits Programs in Illinois Before The Enrollment Pause HealthImmigration PolicyTrending

Here’s How to Access Immigrant Health Benefits Programs in Illinois Before The Enrollment Pause

Starting July 1, Illinois will limit access to programs that provide medical coverage for undocumented immigrants and low-income lawful permanent residents. Here’s what those programs do and how to enroll.
June 29, 2023
Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago
As Lightfoot Departs, A ‘Woefully Unprepared’ Chicago Leaves Migrants In ‘Inhumane’ Conditions For Weeks — With No Plan In Sight Immigration PolicyTrending

As Lightfoot Departs, A ‘Woefully Unprepared’ Chicago Leaves Migrants In ‘Inhumane’ Conditions For Weeks — With No Plan In Sight

Around 3,100 migrants are in temporary shelters, relying on donated clothes and food as Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson inherits the crisis. “We don’t have beds. Children are sleeping on the floor," one man said.
, , , and May 9, 2023