When ICE Came to Little Village, Residents Stood Up: ‘We Are in Solidarity’
After back-to-back raids, Southwest Siders show up to warn neighbors and denounce agents' actions.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker Condemns Trump’s Threats of Deploying National Guard to Chicago
The federal government has previously used the National Guard dozens of times for conflicts, and hundreds more for local crises and national emergencies. Illinois leaders say Trump’s plans to deploy the National Guard to Chicago are “unwarranted.”
Tara MobasherAugust 29, 2025
Investigation: MAT Asphalt Complaints Continue Even After Mitigation Technology Installed Last April
Investigation: MAT Asphalt Complaints Continue Even After Mitigation Technology Installed Last April
After hundreds of complaints, citations, and a class-action settlement, city inspectors’ notes show instances where MAT Asphalt continued to generate and emit "strong noxious asphalt odor.”
Aydali CampaJune 16, 2025
May Day Protests Draw Thousands in Chicago, Calling for End to Deportations
Labor and immigrant advocates gathered at Chicago’s Union Park to protest President Trump’s immigration policies and escalating ICE arrests.
Immigrant Rights Advocates ‘Fighting Back Against Fear’ as Trump Administration Marks First 100 Days
Immigrant Rights Advocates ‘Fighting Back Against Fear’ as Trump Administration Marks First 100 Days
As President Donald Trump’s administration marks 100 days, immigrant organizations say they are expanding advocacy efforts and ramping up demonstrations in Chicago.
Donald Trump Stoked Fear Even Before Taking Office
On the eve of his inauguration, Donald Trump’s plans to step up ICE raids and seal the border drummed up worries across Chicago.
Mauricio PeñaJanuary 21, 2025
EPA Officials, Southeast Side Residents Workshop Ideas for Former Acme Coke Plant
Southeast Side residents hope the toxic site will be transformed into a multi-use space that meets community needs, but remediation could take years.
Aydali CampaNovember 12, 2024
DNC Protesters Call For Ceasefire in Gaza, Israel Arms Embargo as Palestinian Death Toll Rises
With all eyes on Chicago for the Democratic National Convention, tens of thousands of protesters marched in solidarity with Palestine.
Isabelle SenechalAugust 19, 2024
‘I Have to Find Work’: Day Laborers Face Steep Competition, Slim Job Prospects
Newly arrived immigrants search for work as day laborers outside home improvement stores across Chicago. Many find few opportunities and precarious work conditions.
5 Things To Know About Your Rights As a Day Laborer in Illinois
From wage theft to unsafe work sites, how to navigate your rights as a day laborer regardless of immigration status in Illinois.
Stephen FranklinJuly 30, 2024
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.
Deborah D. DouglasApril 29, 2024
Chicago’s Longtime Undocumented Immigrants Push Feds for Work Permits: ‘Why Not Us?’
As new arrivals receive federal work authorization, many undocumented immigrants are stepping out of the shadows and demanding work permits after waiting for decades.
Jacqueline CardenasApril 29, 2024
The Revival of Chicago’s Filipino American Rizal Center
After a protracted legal battle over the building's ownership, Filipino immigrants and Filipino Americans have banded together to restore a community center to its former glory.
Katrina PhamApril 8, 2024
Oak Park Volunteers Search For Housing Solutions Amid Migrant Crisis
Chicago shelters house over 15,000 migrants. With eviction notices incoming, Oak Park and local volunteers are looking for solutions.
Katrina PhamFebruary 6, 2024
Two months on, Chicagoans grapple with the devastation of the Gaza war
Local Palestinians and Jewish people are mourning the deaths of people in Israel and Gaza and calling for an end to the war.
Diane Bou KhalilDecember 20, 2023
Chicagoans Protest City’s Handling of Migrant Emergency Aid
Immigrant organizers called for increased funding for community members helping migrants bused to Chicago.
Katrina PhamJuly 25, 2023
Immigrant Advocates Push for Healthy Illinois For All Bill
If passed, the bill would implement universal health insurance for low-income residents, regardless of immigration status.
Adriana Martinez-SmileyMay 19, 2023
As Public Health Emergency Ends, Community Resource Groups Work to Fill the Gap
As Gov. Pritzker declares an end to the public health emergency brought on by the pandemic and subsequent relief funds, four community-led efforts work to make sure their neighbors’ needs are still met.
Chelsea VerstegenMay 17, 2023
Chicago’s Turkish and Syrian Community Members on How to Help Those Affected by the Earthquakes
Local Turkish and Syrian residents talk about the effects of the recent earthquakes on their home countries and about ways you can help.
Diane Bou KhalilFebruary 23, 2023
The Essential Guide to Mutual Aid Groups in Chicago
From Little Village to Rogers Park, where to give and get help from your neighbors this holiday season in Chicago and its suburbs.
Diane Bou KhalilNovember 21, 2022
West Chicago Receives Application for Second Trash Station Amid Concerns About Pollution
West Chicago residents are concerned about the environmental impact of Lakeshore Recycling Systems’ proposed waste transfer station, half a mile from an existing station.
Diane Bou KhalilSeptember 22, 2022
When Illinois Shut Down Detention Centers, One Detainee Made Sure Fellow Immigrants Got Help
Al-Amin Porosh has helped fellow detainees navigate an opaque immigrant detention system – and built a community behind bars.
Youcef O. BounabAugust 4, 2022
Afghan Refugees are Getting Donated Bikes Thanks to Volunteers
A Chicago-area Facebook group is accepting donated bikes, helmets and locks for newly-arrived Afghan refugees.
Asian Americans in Chicago Are Mobilizing to Protect Each Other
With increased violence against Asians, community groups are taking action, from distributing self-defense tools to gathering critical data.
jessica naluptaMay 25, 2022
The Growing Fight Over a Trash Station in West Chicago
Lack of transparency and concerns over environmental racism are fueling backlash to a waste transfer station in majority Latino West Chicago.
Liuan HuskaMarch 23, 2022
The Making and Unmaking of Mexican Chicago
Historian Mike Amezcua examines the origins and anti-gentrification struggles of Latinx Chicago neighborhoods like Pilsen and Little Village.
How to Support Ukrainians
A running list of events held by Chicagoans to build solidarity with and awareness of the ongoing war in Ukraine
Borderless Magazine StaffFebruary 24, 2022
Unfairly Banned from Uber? Chicago Rideshare Drivers May Get a Fighting Chance
Immigrant rideshare drivers are backing a proposed Chicago law that could raise driver pay and give them an appeals process when working for Lyft or Uber.
Josephine StratmanFebruary 23, 2022
Illinois Just Ended ICE Detention. What Happened to the People Detained Here?
Detained immigrants and their families, attorneys, and advocates say what the end of immigration detention in Illinois has meant for them.
Carlos BallesterosFebruary 16, 2022
Keeping the Faith: The Woman Who Started the Sanctuary Movement
Elvira Arellano retells the story of when she took a stand to fight for her son and her work to protect undocumented immigrants.
Leslie HurtadoFebruary 15, 2022
Carlos Barberena’s Prints Are Humanizing Testaments of Immigrant Stories
Ahead of his new exhibition in Milwaukee, the Chicago-based artist talks about his work and the radical democracy of printmaking.
Kerry CardozaDecember 8, 2021
The Sanctuary Movement 15 Years On
Chicago pastor Emma Lozano discusses the movement to keep undocumented immigrants with their families and a related MCA exhibit.
Michelle KanaarNovember 23, 2021
As Afghan Children Come to the US, Disagreements Ignite Over Who Should Care for Them
Organizers are calling for alternatives to facilities for unaccompanied Afghan refugee children run by Chicago nonprofit Heartland Alliance.
Chelsea VerstegenNovember 11, 2021
Chicago’s Immigrants Rally for the Right to Become Citizens in Their Longtime Home
Protestors halted traffic as they called for a pathway to citizenship for 11 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S.
Diane Bou KhalilNovember 4, 2021
Beyond #MeToo and the Atlanta Spa Shootings
How KAN-WIN is helping to end gender-based violence in Chicago’s Asian and Asian American community in a time of increased hate crimes.
Adriana RezalSeptember 22, 2021
As Chicago Schools Reopen, Hispanic Families Seek Support
Remote learning exposed cracks in the CPS system, hurting some students more than others. Are schools prepared for their return?
Adriana RezalAugust 31, 2021
Illinois To End Immigrant Detention with New Bill
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker signed the Illinois Way Forward Act today, which will end immigrant detention in the state in 2022 and expand protections for immigrant communities.
Nissa RheeAugust 2, 2021
Anti-Asian Violence Stirs Conversation on Policing and Abolition in Chicago’s AAPI Communities
Communities of Asian descent reflect on a year of heightened anxiety
New Bond Fund Freeing Immigrants from ICE Detention
The Midwest Immigration Bond Fund Coalition has raised more than $35,000 to bail out detained immigrants from Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and Kentucky.
Alexandra ArriagaJune 9, 2021
What You Should Know About the Situation in Palestine
U.S. Palestinian Community Network’s Souzan Naser on what people need to understand about the recent Israeli airstrikes in Palestine and how to help.
Diane Bou KhalilMay 24, 2021
Bringing the Fight for Undocumented Immigrant Rights to Michigan
Gema Lowe, who migrated from Mexico to America 30 years ago, describes her journey as an advocate for undocumented immigrant in Grand Rapids.
Emma Glassman-HughesApril 21, 2021
Chicagoans Rally to End Violence Against Asians in America
After a year that has seen a rise in attacks against Asian communities in the U.S., local AAPI groups gathered in Chicago's Chinatown to demand action.
With Anti-Asian Attacks On The Rise, Webinar Teaches Bystanders How To Help
During the past few months, Catherine Shieh has been leading bystander intervention trainings over Zoom to help stem the rise in anti-Asian attacks throughout the country.
Esther Yoon-Ji KangMarch 2, 2021
من فلسطين إلى فلسطين الصغيرة في شيكاغو
.منظّم مثليّ سامر عويضة حول كيفية ربط النضالات العالميّة ضدّ الاضطهاد بالتحرّكات المحليّة في سبيل التغيير
Ata YounanJanuary 5, 2021
From Palestine to Chicago’s Little Palestine
Queer organizer Samer Owaida on how to link global struggles against oppression to local movements for change.
Ata YounanJanuary 5, 2021
Chicago Latina Moms Provides Mutual Aid Support to Immigrant Families
The local mom’s group gave out over $50,000 in mutual aid assistance to Chicago families who were unable to get the COVID-19 federal stimulus check.
Amaris E. RodriguezDecember 10, 2020
“We’re Fighting the Same Fight”: African Migrants on End SARS and Black Lives Matter
Black Lives Matter protests and the growing movement to disband Nigeria’s controversial SARS police unit are driving urgent conversations on race and identity among people of the African diaspora.
Sarah LuyengiDecember 2, 2020
Waiting for Presidential Election Results, Chicagoans Show up to Protect their Vote
Less than a day after voting polls closed, immigrant community members rallied in downtown Chicago to defend the election.
إنفجار يهز بيروت تضاف إلى أزمة لبنان المتزايدة
شرحت الأكاديميّة والناشطة كارمن جحا الأزمة الاقتصادية والسياسية في لبنان وكيفَ تعامَل الشباب اللبناني مع دعوات الثورة.
Diane Bou KhalilAugust 5, 2020
Explosions Rock Beirut, Adding to Lebanon’s Growing Crisis
Academic and activist Carmen Geha explains Lebanon’s economic meltdown and how the Lebanese diaspora has taken up the call for revolution.
Diane Bou KhalilAugust 4, 2020
African Writers Stand in Solidarity with Black Lives Matter
African immigrant authors speak out against racist violence and voice support for U.S. protesters seeking justice for George Floyd.
African Authors Sans FrontieresJune 19, 2020
Black And Brown Food Pantry, Solidarity March Show Young Activists Are United For Justice: ‘We Are Family’
It's time for Chicago's Black and Latino communities to organize together, Southwest Side activists say. “We face the same struggles …with unemployment, affordable housing, incarceration."
Mauricio PeñaJune 4, 2020
Hundreds of Venezuelans rally in downtown Chicago
Just hours after Juan Guaidó declared himself president of Venezuela, hundreds of people gathered outside the consulate in Chicago.
Geoff StellfoxJanuary 24, 2019
Hundreds call for the end of ICE
Over 200 Chicagoans marched through Pilsen and Little Village Friday evening during a 90 degree heat wave to call for the abolishment of Immigrations and Customs Enforcement.
Dan RowellJune 30, 2018
The Chicago Dyke March in pictures
Now it it’s 22nd year, the march is a celebration of dyke, queer, bisexual, transgender, and lesbian resilience.
Dan RowellJune 26, 2018
#WomenForSyria shows solidarity with displaced Syrians
Women’s March Illinois organizers hosted a candlelight vigil in downtown Chicago on April 13 to show solidarity with Syrians who have been displaced or suffered because of the civil war in that country.
Alex V. HernandezApril 18, 2017
Muslim Community Center of Chicago opens its doors to neighbors
The Muslim Community Center of Chicago was established in 1969 and is one of the oldest and largest Muslim organizations in the Chicago area.
Alex V. HernandezFebruary 21, 2017
