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Saleha Soadat interviews former Afghan district governor Salima Mazari on a couch in her current home

Michelle Kanaar/Borderless Magazine

Borderless Magazine’s Favorite Stories of 2022 Trending

Borderless Magazine’s Favorite Stories of 2022

A female Afghan governor-turned-refugee, a Bangladeshi community builder working behind bars, a Mexican American woman who turned love-letter writing into a family tradition, here are some of the people whose stories we helped tell in 2022.

Diane Bou KhalilJanuary 12, 2023

mutual aid store front casa Hernandez

Michelle Kanaar/Borderless Magazine

The Essential Guide to Mutual Aid Groups in Chicago Organizing Resources Trending

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

Yasir Syed wearing striped shirt puts a lunchbox into his blue backpack

Michelle Kanaar/Borderless Magazine

Illinois Students Struggle to Find Halal Food Education Health Trending

Illinois Students Struggle to Find Halal Food

Despite a growing Muslim population in the Chicago area, few public schools offer students halal food options.

Tasmiha KhanNovember 16, 2022

coats over various colors hang on a rack

Michelle Kanaar/Borderless Magazine

Where To Find Free or Cheap Winter Coats In Chicago Resources Trending Where to find

Where To Find Free or Cheap Winter Coats In Chicago

From coat drives to free stores to resale shops, here are places to get inexpensive or free coats and jackets in the Chicago area.

Diane Bou KhalilNovember 10, 2022

A woman in a red hijab votes

Michelle Kanaar/Borderless Magazine

How to Vote in Illinois this Election Day Labor Resources Trending

How to Vote in Illinois this Election Day

From what to bring to who can vote, we answer your questions about voting in the midterm elections in Illinois.

Jillian MeleroNovember 4, 2022

Photo courtesy of Javier Zamora

‘Solito’ by Javier Zamora: An Excerpt from the Best-Selling Memoir Arts & Culture Immigration Policy Trending

‘Solito’ by Javier Zamora: An Excerpt from the Best-Selling Memoir

Poet Javier Zamora took a three-thousand mile journey from El Salvador to the United States as a boy to reunite with his parents.

Borderless Magazine StaffNovember 3, 2022

Max Herman for Borderless Magazine

Artist Remembers Migrants Who Died on Their Journey North Arts & Culture As Told To Trending

Artist Remembers Migrants Who Died on Their Journey North

Arizona artist Alvaro Enciso has spent years of his life leaving crosses in the desert for migrants who died while traveling to the United States.

Max HermanOctober 27, 2022

A word cloud in the shape of a globe with words such as human, refugee, asylum. immigration, application, request, U.S.C.I.S., backlog, proceedings, U.S., pending, request, affirmative, representation, cases, interview, fear, country, border, persecution

Michelle Kanaar/Borderless Magazine

Who Are Asylum Seekers and What Is Asylum? Immigration Policy Resources Trending

Who Are Asylum Seekers and What Is Asylum?

We answer your questions about asylum rules and the differences between asylum seekers, refugees, migrants and more.

Diane Bou KhalilOctober 20, 2022

Frank Sandoval wearing a gray jacket and blue dot tie in front of various framed awards and certificates in his office

Michelle Kanaar/Borderless Magazine

An Overwhelmed Immigration System is Facing a Shortage of Attorneys Amid a Growing Backlog of Cases Immigration Policy Trending

An Overwhelmed Immigration System is Facing a Shortage of Attorneys Amid a Growing Backlog of Cases

The arrivals of more than two thousand migrants sent to Chicago from Texas are exacerbating the need for attorneys who handle asylum cases.

Chelsea VerstegenOctober 13, 2022

Erika Sanchez wearing red lipstick and a red top, blue background

Photo by Adriana Diaz

Chicago Writer Erika L. Sánchez Gets Personal in New Memoir Arts & Culture Trending

Chicago Writer Erika L. Sánchez Gets Personal in New Memoir

The DePaul University professor and daughter of Mexican immigrants talks about mental health and healing through writing.

Jillian MeleroOctober 6, 2022

A woman looks back over her shoulder and a blue bird faces her

Illustration by Anna Mielniczuk for Borderless Magazine

She Fought to Get An Education in Afghanistan. Now This Student is Finding Hope at DePaul University. As Told To Broken-Winged Birds: Afghans in Exile Trending

She Fought to Get An Education in Afghanistan. Now This Student is Finding Hope at DePaul University.

Sara and 147 other female students were evacuated from Kabul University after the Taliban took over the Afghan government in August 2021.

Saleha SoadatSeptember 28, 2022

A woman with a green jacket and a butterfly is dancing

Illustration by Anna Mielniczuk for Borderless Magazine

Fleeing Suicide Attacks, an Afghan Student Finds Freedom in Chicago As Told To Broken-Winged Birds: Afghans in Exile Trending

Fleeing Suicide Attacks, an Afghan Student Finds Freedom in Chicago

Maryam and 147 other female students waited at the Kabul airport for days before they could escape Afghanistan.

Saleha SoadatSeptember 27, 2022

LRS, or Lakeshore Recycling Systems, white building in West Chicago

Michelle Kanaar/Borderless Magazine

West Chicago Receives Application for Second Trash Station Amid Concerns About Pollution Environment Organizing Trending

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

Migrants hub by a bus after being sent to Chicago from Texas by Gov. Greg Abbott

Jesus J. Montero for Borderless Magazine

As Texas Governor Sends More Buses of Migrants to Chicago, Jobs and Housing Help Needed Immigration Policy Trending

As Texas Governor Sends More Buses of Migrants to Chicago, Jobs and Housing Help Needed

As buses continue to arrive in Chicago carrying migrants from Texas, advocates are concerned about long-term housing and employment support.

Diane Bou Khalil and Jesus J. MonteroSeptember 13, 2022

People walk toward Little Village's Discount Mall, in the center a man plays the guitar; there are several people with strollers

Camilla Forte/Borderless Magazine

These Borderless Stories Had Big Impact – and Got Nominated for Awards Trending

These Borderless Stories Had Big Impact – and Got Nominated for Awards

Our visual reporting on the Little Village Discount Mall and bilingual coverage of the Afghan community receives national recognition.

Borderless Magazine StaffSeptember 7, 2022

Viet Thanh Nguyen in Ha Long Bay on a red boat wearing a blue hat

Photo courtesy of Viet Thanh Nguyen

Author Viet Thanh Nguyen on Being a Refugee and Storyteller Arts & Culture Trending

Author Viet Thanh Nguyen on Being a Refugee and Storyteller

The Pulitzer Prize-winning author of “The Sympathizer” will receive an award from the American Writers Museum in Chicago this month.

Diane Bou KhalilAugust 30, 2022

J Saxon swings a disco ball dressed in a traditional pink Bolivian suit

Jonathan Aguilar/Borderless Magazine

This Queer Bolivian American Wants To Be Chicago’s Next Mayor As Told To Labor Trending Visuals

This Queer Bolivian American Wants To Be Chicago’s Next Mayor

J Saxon says their mixed identities represent Chicagoans who don’t always have a say in politics.

Youcef O. BounabAugust 24, 2022

Saleha Soadat interviews former Afghan district governor Salima Mazari on a couch

Michelle Kanaar/Borderless Magazine

One Year After Evacuating Kabul, Afghan Journalist Reflects on Life as a Refugee Broken-Winged Birds: Afghans in Exile Trending

One Year After Evacuating Kabul, Afghan Journalist Reflects on Life as a Refugee

After fleeing Afghanistan in August 2021, Borderless Pathways Fellow Saleha Soadat reflects on her first year in the U.S.

Diane Bou KhalilAugust 18, 2022

"Nobody is protected: how the border patrol became the most dangerous police force in the United Sates" book cover

Courtesy of Counterpoint Press

How the Border Patrol Became America’s “Most Dangerous Police Force” Arts & Culture Immigration Policy Trending

How the Border Patrol Became America’s “Most Dangerous Police Force”

In his new book, Reece Jones traces the Border Patrol’s growth into a militarized force that operates in large swaths of the United States.

Borderless Magazine StaffAugust 10, 2022

illustration of Al-Amin Porosh wearing a blue colared shirt

Illustration courtesy of Organized Communities Against Deportation

When Illinois Shut Down Detention Centers, One Detainee Made Sure Fellow Immigrants Got Help Immigration Policy Trending

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

Diana Solis in her home with paintings and chess set

Jonathan Aguilar/Borderless Magazine

Through COVID and Gentrification, Diana Solís Captures Pilsen’s Resilience As Told To Trending

Through COVID and Gentrification, Diana Solís Captures Pilsen’s Resilience

The longtime Pilsen resident will release a new, bilingual photography book this fall.

Michelle KanaarJuly 28, 2022

May Thach holds a red sign that reads "#bansoffourbodies" "abortion is heathcare" "napawf"

Photo courtesy of NAPAWF

End of Roe v. Wade brings new challenges for AAPI community Health Trending

End of Roe v. Wade brings new challenges for AAPI community

Reproductive justice advocate Joy Pettigrew talks about barriers to abortion for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

Youcef O. BounabJuly 20, 2022

A person in full body white suit helmet and yellow boots in a pit behind a fence with a sign that reads "danger, no trespassing"

Photo by Erika Bartlett

FAQ: The Kerr-McGee Factory’s Radioactive Legacy in West Chicago Environment Trending

FAQ: The Kerr-McGee Factory’s Radioactive Legacy in West Chicago

We answer your questions about thorium and health hazards related to the Rare Earths Facility.

Liuan HuskaJuly 12, 2022

Sandra and Jesse Arzola in front of Sandra's family’s house in West Chicago

Jonathan Aguilar/Borderless Magazine

West Chicago is Cleaning Up the Last of its Nuclear Contamination. Residents Exposed to Radiation Say ‘It’s Not Over’ Environment Investigation Staff pick Trending

West Chicago is Cleaning Up the Last of its Nuclear Contamination. Residents Exposed to Radiation Say ‘It’s Not Over’

A local factory was once the largest producer of thorium in the world. This fall, the “radioactive capital of the Midwest” is doing one last cleanup.

Liuan HuskaJuly 12, 2022

Salima Mazari looking out the window of her current home

Michelle Kanaar/Borderless Magazine

This Female Afghan Governor Fought Against the Taliban As Told To Broken-Winged Birds: Afghans in Exile Staff pick Trending

This Female Afghan Governor Fought Against the Taliban

Salima Mazari was one of just three women serving as a district governor in Afghanistan before the Taliban took over.

Saleha SoadatJuly 7, 2022

Naheed Farid with a red scarf and trees behind her

Photo by Shuran Huang For Borderless Magazine

An Exiled Afghan Politician Keeps Fighting for Women As Told To Broken-Winged Birds: Afghans in Exile Trending

An Exiled Afghan Politician Keeps Fighting for Women

Naheed Farid was elected to the Afghan House of Representatives as one of its youngest members. Now exiled in Maryland, she continues to advocate for women in Afghanistan.

Saleha SoadatJune 28, 2022

group of soccer players on a field; most wearing red jerseys

Jonathan Aguilar/Borderless Magazine

A Mini World Cup Celebrates Refugees in Chicago Arts & Culture Trending

A Mini World Cup Celebrates Refugees in Chicago

Refugees from over 15 countries played in a soccer tournament at World Refugee Day Chicago.

Youcef O. BounabJune 23, 2022

Mohammad Aimal puts a bike helmet on his nephew, Yahya Nazari

Emily Soto for Borderless Magazine

Afghan Refugees are Getting Donated Bikes Thanks to Volunteers Trending Visuals

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.

Emily Soto and Sofia LealJune 14, 2022

Members of the Communities Not Cages Indiana Coalition in front of the Clay County Courthouse breaking a symbolic chain

Photo courtesy of Mariposa Legal

Lawsuit: Indiana Jail Neglects Immigrants While Using ICE Funds as ‘Cash Cow’ Immigration Policy Investigation Trending

Lawsuit: Indiana Jail Neglects Immigrants While Using ICE Funds as ‘Cash Cow’

A National Immigrant Justice Center lawsuit alleges that detained immigrants are being held in inhumane conditions, while Clay County misuses the money they receive from ICE to care for detainees.

Chelsea VerstegenJune 8, 2022

Shuran Huang for Borderless Magazine

An Afghan Lawmaker Fights for Justice While Exiled in the U.S. As Told To Broken-Winged Birds: Afghans in Exile Trending

An Afghan Lawmaker Fights for Justice While Exiled in the U.S.

Mahdi Rasikh went from weaving carpets in a refugee camp to representing his hometown in Afghanistan’s Parliament. But after the Taliban took over, Rasikh had to escape to the U.S.

Saleha SoadatJune 2, 2022

Youngrae Kim for Borderless Magazine

Asian Americans in Chicago Are Mobilizing to Protect Each Other Organizing Trending

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

Michelle Kanaar/Borderless Magazine

Using Education to Overcome Health Care Barriers for Immigrants Health Resources Trending

Using Education to Overcome Health Care Barriers for Immigrants

The Immigrant Health Academy is helping Chicago area immigrants navigate the health care system and access funding for their medical bills.

Leslie HurtadoMay 19, 2022

Michelle Kanaar/Borderless Magazine

North Side’s East African Businesses Struggling with Rising Costs, COVID Health Labor Trending

North Side’s East African Businesses Struggling with Rising Costs, COVID

Despite financial challenges, these Chicago shops are surviving with help from Ethiopian, Somali and other East African immigrant communities.

Sayou CooperMay 11, 2022

woman standing at computer shaking hands with someone

Shutterstock

How to Find an Immigration Lawyer Resources Trending

How to Find an Immigration Lawyer

When do you need an immigration lawyer? How can you find free legal help for your immigration case? We answer your questions.

Diane Bou KhalilApril 21, 2022

Phillip and Jacky hand a plastic bag with tea to a client

Michelle Kanaar/Borderless Magazine

Chicago’s Herbalists Are Filling Gaps in Health Care Access During COVID Arts & Culture Health Trending

Chicago’s Herbalists Are Filling Gaps in Health Care Access During COVID

As misinformation about natural cures soars during the pandemic, trained herbalists in Chicago are educating vulnerable immigrant communities.

Leslie HurtadoApril 6, 2022

Photo by Bjorn Normann Jr.

An Afghan Journalist’s Escape from the Taliban Broken-Winged Birds: Afghans in Exile Trending

An Afghan Journalist’s Escape from the Taliban

Last August, after U.S. troops withdrew from Afghanistan, journalist Saleha Soadat was forced to leave her life in Kabul and seek safety abroad.

Saleha SoadatMarch 30, 2022

a female journalist recording a rally with her phone and wearing a mask

Camilla Forte/Borderless Magazine

We’re Building an Anti-Racist News Industry Trending

We’re Building an Anti-Racist News Industry

Borderless Magazine is mentoring and training a new generation of journalists from immigrant communities to combat racist coverage.

Nissa RheeMarch 29, 2022

Little Village, discount, mall, shopping, Mexican, Chicago

Photo by Camilla Forte/Borderless Magazine

Future of Little Village’s Discount Mall Still Uncertain, One Year After Sale Arts & Culture Investigation Trending

Future of Little Village’s Discount Mall Still Uncertain, One Year After Sale

Latinx business owners worry about the fate of their stores at the iconic Discount Mall in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood.

Adriana RezalSeptember 14, 2021

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