Leaving Venezuela: ‘The Only Option for Us Was the United States’
Six migrant families shared their journey from Central and South America to start a new life in Chicago.
City Contractor ‘Failed’ Clients as Migrant Shelter Complaints Mounted, Staffers Say
Chicago is phasing out Favorite Healthcare Staffing after paying the agency $342 million to oversee its shelter system. Records show that Favorite had a poor track record of resolving complaints.
Emeline PosnerNovember 19, 2024
Chicago Parks Offer a Glimpse of Migrant Trails with ‘A Welcoming Place’
After two years of traveling alongside asylum seekers, two photographers share their work to expand conversations on immigration.
Max HermanNovember 15, 2024
The Faces of Immigrant-Owned Small Businesses in Chicago
Jonathan Castillo’s photography breaks stereotypes and honors immigrant-owned businesses in Chicago and nearby suburbs.
Max HermanAugust 13, 2024
Afghan Refugee Recalls Surviving a Bomb and Fleeing Afghanistan
Nekbahkt, a Hazara Afghan woman and double amputee, was forced to flee Afghanistan leaving behind her husband and disabled brother. She now awaits to be reunited with her husband.
Diane Bou KhalilMay 28, 2024
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.
Agnes Kanjinga, azali moto ya mayele
A longwe na Congo mpo na kokima mobulu oyo ezali kokoba. Mpo na koluka ndako ya libateli mpo na bana na ye, ayaki na Chicago mpe a zwaki lisanga na ye.
Sayou CooperMay 14, 2024
Federal Judge Approves $12 Million Settlement Over Botched Hilco Implosion
Despite the settlement, Little Village residents still worry about the long-term health impacts of the implosion and the diesel trucks coming from the new warehouse.
Aydali CampaApril 22, 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
Harmony in Hardship: Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Refugees Bring Immigrant Stories to Life with Music
For one night, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Chicago Refugee Coalition turned inspirational immigrant stories into a musical journey to bring awareness of the current migrant crisis.
Chelsea VerstegenApril 1, 2024
Borderless Magazine’s Favorite Photos of 2023 — and the Stories Behind Them
From a Venezuelan family’s long-awaited reunion to our Black Immigrants Today series, Borderless Magazine’s visual journalists amplified the stories of Chicago’s immigrant communities.
Little Amal Comes to Chicago With a Message of Hope for Refugees
The 12-foot-tall puppet tells the story of a 10-year-old Syrian refugee separated from her family.
Diane Bou KhalilOctober 6, 2023
Pushing Boundaries: How a Pakistani African American Drag King Burst into Chicago’s Drag Scene
D’Cameron May stepped onto the drag stage four years ago. Now, they have a home among Chicago’s queer immigrant scene.
Katrina PhamSeptember 19, 2023
Sheltered in a Chicago Fieldhouse, Migrants Dream of Better Future
Inside a temporary shelter in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood, six migrant families share their memories of home, hopes for the future and what it is like living in tight quarters with 200 people.
Efrain SorianoAugust 30, 2023
These Chicago Afghans Have Built a Community on the Soccer Field
After fleeing the Taliban, a group of Afghans in Chicago have found each other – and strength – through playing soccer.
Saleha SoadatJuly 18, 2023
South Asia Institute Holds Its First Desi Queer Open Mic Night
Organizers say the event was a first for the institute, but hope it will promote more inclusivity while celebrating Desi queer stories and creativity.
Efrain SorianoJuly 3, 2023
Woodlawn Church Welcomes New Migrant Neighbors with Banquet
More than 200 migrants came together to enjoy a free dinner and live music at the First Presbyterian Church of Chicago.
Jonathan AguilarApril 21, 2023
Borderless Magazine’s Favorite Photos and Illustrations of 2022
From fleeing Afghanistan to starting a sanctuary movement, Borderless Magazine’s visual journalists continued to amplify the stories of people from Chicago’s immigrant communities.
Michelle KanaarJanuary 5, 2023
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
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.
Borderless Magazine’s Photos and Illustrations of the Year
From building a community garden to trying on a Quince dress, Borderless Magazine’s visual journalists told the stories of our immigrant communities this year.
Borderless Magazine StaffDecember 22, 2021
Portraits of Chicago Street Vendors After a Year of Crisis
Photographer Natalie Garcia visits immigrant-run street vendors on Chicago’s Northwest Side that have persisted through the pandemic.
Natalie GarciaAugust 12, 2021
Meet the Youth Behind the General Iron Campaign
Meet the youth behind the campaign against General Iron and the makers of our new comic book, “Reclaiming the Sacrifice Zone.”
Borderless Magazine StaffJune 8, 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
Reclaiming the Sacrifice Zone
The youth-led campaign for environmental justice on the Southeast Side.
Maria MaynezMay 6, 2021
Behind the Story with the Code-Switched Cast
Watch the director and cast of Code-Switched discuss their hit indie show about five South Asian friends in an exclusive event.
Diane Bou KhalilFebruary 16, 2021
Inside the Lives of Immigrant Teens Working Dangerous Night Shifts in Suburban Factories
During the day, immigrant teenagers attend high school. At night, they work in factories to pay debts to smugglers and send money to family. The authorities aren’t surprised by child labor. They’re also not doing much about it.
Melissa SanchezNovember 23, 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.
Rohingya Americans on Voting for the First Time in US Election
About 15 Rohingya Refugees gathered at Warren Park to vote for the first time after being denied that right in their native Myanmar.
Chasing the American Dream in the Gig Economy
Guatemalan immigrant storyteller Nestor Gomez shares his experiences as an Uber and Lyft driver in his new book, “Your Driver Has Arrived.”
Diane Bou KhalilOctober 5, 2020
Dispatches from COVID-19: A 72-year-old Filipina essential worker tries to stay healthy while taking care of her patients
“I am always wearing a mask at work. I only remove it when I’m sleeping.”
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
A taste of Mexico
Families from across Illinois gathered in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood this weekend for the fourth annual Taste of Mexico festival.
The father of three bracing for deportation
Felix Garcia, a Guatemalan immigrant, is scheduled to be deported today. This is his story.
Syrian photographer Omar Imam’s work examines dreams, nightmares
Eleven black-and-white, surrealist photographs exploring the mental state of Syrian refugees in Lebanon debuted in Chicago this month.
Chicagoans tell us: What is the role of immigrants in America?
Borderless teamed up with The Point magazine on March 14 for a special panel discussion about immigration.
Sarah ConwayMarch 21, 2017
Little Village ‘Montooneros’: The political power of cartoons
Nearly 40 political cartoonists from Mexico and the United States expressed their views on President Trump’s immigration policy for a new exhibition that opened this week in Chicago.
Nine-year-old Rosnah on being a Rohingya refugee
Born in Malaysia, Rosnah came to the United States when she was three years old.
RosnahFebruary 24, 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
