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.
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
With Trump’s Win, Chicago Immigrants Vow to “Fight Back”
Despite fears about Trump’s immigration policies, immigrant community leaders gathered in Chicago on Wednesday to call for unity.
Donald Trump Defeats Harris in Race for White House
After a contentious campaign, Donald Trump was projected to surpass 270 electoral votes, enough to defeat Vice President Kamala Harris.
How Immigrant Communities Are Feeling as They Cast Their Vote for President
As voters head to the polls, immigrant communities share what’s at stake for them this election.
Where Harris and Trump Stand on the Border and Other Immigration Policies
While Vice President Kamala Harris has shifted her stance on the border to align more closely with Donald Trump, the candidates diverge on DACA, temporary protected status, and deportation.
Katrina PhamOctober 29, 2024
‘The Home I Worked to Make: Voices from the New Syrian Diaspora’
In an excerpt from her new book, Northwestern University Professor Wendy Pearlman draws from interviews of Syrians who were forced to flee their homeland.
Wendy PearlmanOctober 22, 2024
Chicago Will End Troubled Staffing Contract, Merge Homeless, Migrant Systems By 2025
The new system will offer 6,800 beds despite a projected need for 11,000 spaces for all Chicagoans experiencing homelessness.
What to Know About Chicago’s Aim to Merge Migrant, Homeless Shelter Systems
City and state officials rolled out recommendations for the 'One System Initiative,' which would include an intake zone accessible every day of the year for anyone experiencing homelessness.
Katrina PhamOctober 17, 2024
Chicago’s Largest Migrant Shelter Shutters After Troubling Year
City officials' decision to consolidate city-run migrant shelters comes as the number of residents has dwindled and fewer asylum seekers are arriving in Chicago.
Life for Women in Iran: ‘They Want to Own Our Minds’
The Islamic Revolution ushered in a new normal for Iranian women. Some have fled, while others have built a life in the country despite the adversity.
Tara MobasherSeptember 4, 2024
Iranians Face Stringent Screening for a Chance to Study in the U.S.
Many students face canceled visa interview appointments, months-long waits and unexplained rejections, jeopardizing their attendance at American Universities.
Tara MobasherSeptember 3, 2024
How Kamala Harris and Donald Trump Are Talking About Immigration
Former President Trump has continued his anti-immigrant rhetoric and promised mass deportation, while Vice President Harris has shared sparse details on her policy plans.
ISabelle SenechalAugust 22, 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.
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.
Aydali CampaJuly 15, 2024
Leaving Venezuela: Omar and Alejandra’s Search for a Better Life
Over two years ago, migrants from South and Central America started arriving in Chicago by bus and planes. Here are two of their stories.
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.
Aydali CampaJuly 2, 2024
What You Need To Know About The New Protections For Undocumented Spouses of U.S. Citizens
The Biden administration announced a plan to offer protection for noncitizen spouses of U.S. citizens.
Tara MobasherJune 18, 2024
How to Get Free Birth Control Regardless of Immigration Status in Illinois
A state program gives access to temporary coverage for reproductive health services, including birth control and STD testing.
Katrina PhamJune 10, 2024
What You Need to Know About the New Border Restrictions
President Joe Biden’s directive temporarily closes the border to asylum seekers until the seven-day crossing averages decrease.
Tara MobasherJune 5, 2024
ICYMI: Borderless Magazine’s feature stories all in one place [May 2024]
Navigating immigration court alone, a refugee’s escape from Afghanistan and more immigrant stories from Chicago.
Borderless Magazine StaffMay 31, 2024
What You Need to Know About Immigration News This Week
Students say the University of Chicago is withholding their degrees for participating in antiwar encampments, Work Permits for All gets support from the Illinois General Assembly, and more.
Diane Bou KhalilMay 29, 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.
Life in Legal Limbo: Navigating Chicago’s Immigration Court Alone
Fighting for a chance to stay, many immigrants wade alone through backlogs and attorney shortages that plague the immigration court system.
We Are Home: Becoming American in the 21st Century
Journalist Ray Suarez examines immigration policies in the United States while chronicling the lives of new immigrants across the country in his latest book.
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
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
Chicago Approves Weekly Reports On Migrant Shelter Evictions
Under the new ordinance, city departments must make public weekly reports on migrant evictions starting in May.
Katrina PhamApril 17, 2024
Chicago Officials Confirm TB Cases at Migrant Shelters
The cases add to the mounting concerns about health conditions at the city’s migrant shelters following the death of a 5-year-old and an outbreak of measles cases.
Chicago Ordinance Would Require Weekly Reports on Migrant Shelter Evictions
If passed by the full City Council, the measure will require departments to report anonymized data on evicted migrants’ age, gender and length of shelter stay.
Katrina PhamMarch 28, 2024
U.S. Immigration Application Fees Increase Next Month. Here’s What You Should Know
For the first time in seven years, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services is increasing application fees for several individual, family, and employer applications.
Chelsea VerstegenMarch 25, 2024
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.
Investigation: Chicago Ignored Dozens of Warnings of Migrant Shelter Conditions Before Child’s Death
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.
Where to Find Free, or Low-Cost Mental Health Support in Chicago
Borderless compiled a list of organizations across the Chicagoland area that provide free or low-cost mental health support.
Diane Bou KhalilFebruary 20, 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
Chicago Aldermen Push For Accountability Amid Complaints of Mistreatment at Migrant Shelters
Aldermen called for a more transparent grievance process and accountability measures for Favorite Healthcare Staffing to ensure better treatment of migrants at shelters.
Katrina PhamFebruary 1, 2024
Heat Study: Chicago Temperatures Vary as Much as 22 Degrees Between Neighborhoods
The heat mapping study, dubbed Heat Watch Chicago, showed that neighborhoods on the city's South Side were the hottest and residents there were the most vulnerable to extreme weather.
Liuan HuskaJanuary 29, 2024
The Mental Health of Migrants Simmers Below the Surface as the Next Looming Crisis
Support groups are trying to address the obstacles to care, including language barriers and a persistent shortage of mental health workers.
Kristen Schorsch, WBEZJanuary 18, 2024
How to Help Migrants Coming to Chicago
Where to donate food, clothing, money and more to help migrants arriving in Chicago from Texas and other southern states.
We’re Growing! Borderless Wins Report For America Support To Expand Team
The Report for America corps member will cover the intersection of immigration and the environment.
Mauricio PeñaJanuary 11, 2024
Hundreds Of Migrants Sleeping In CTA Buses As City Braces For Winter Storm
More than 10 times the number of migrants were temporarily staying overnight at the city’s landing zone Monday compared to a week ago.
Borderless Magazine’s Top Stories of 2023
A long-delayed radiation cleanup, an all-women mariachi band, Afghans building community through soccer, and more stories Borderless reported on Chicago’s immigrant communities.
Mauricio PeñaDecember 26, 2023
Chicago Mayor, Shelter Officials Respond to Living Conditions Following a Borderless Investigation
The response comes just days after a 5-year-old boy fell sick and died, and others were hospitalized.
5-Year-Old Boy Dies After Falling Ill At Chicago’s Largest Migrant Shelter
The death of the boy comes just days after a Borderless investigation found inhumane living conditions at the shelter in Pilsen.
Mauricio PeñaDecember 18, 2023
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.’’
‘I Cannot Work’: Venezuelan TPS Applicants Face Large Hurdles in Getting Work Permits
Although President Biden expanded temporary protected status for Venezuelans, TPS’ language barriers, long wait times and costly application fees make it difficult for many immigrants to apply.
Katrina PhamDecember 11, 2023
A Chicago faith-based nonprofit furnishes homes for asylum seekers
New Life Centers' New Vecino program, funded by the state, provides asylum seekers with wraparound services and furniture for new apartments.
Sebastian HidalgoDecember 4, 2023
As Chicago’s shelter rule for migrant families takes effect, here are three student rights to know
Homeless children have certain rights aimed at maintaining stability for them at school, including the ability to stay at the school they’ve been attending.
Reema Amin, Chalkbeat ChicagoNovember 28, 2023
What Does The City’s New 60-Day Shelter Limit Mean For Migrants In Chicago?
Volunteers fear the shelter limit is going to create a “new sh-tshow” when folks are forced to leave — and push more people into homelessness.
How the Pilsen Food Pantry Expanded to Serve Venezuelan Migrants
The Pilsen Food Pantry provides essentials, including food, clothing, and sleeping bags, to new migrants living in local police stations and shelters.
Chelsea VerstegenNovember 20, 2023
Illinois bill seeks to bolster language services at state agencies
A language access bill making its way through Springfield would create a new office tasked with bringing interpretation and translation services to state agencies for many non-native English speakers.
Maia McDonaldOctober 30, 2023
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.
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
Illinois Lawmakers and Immigrant Advocates Push to End the Sale of Personal Data to ICE
As a lawsuit against data broker LexisNexis awaits court determination, local advocates and officials look to amend Cook County’s ICE detainer ordinance.
Chelsea VerstegenJuly 11, 2023
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.
Katrina PhamJune 29, 2023
After Five Long Years, a Venezuelan Family Is Reunited
Frank Sandoval had to leave Venezuela to save his life. He became a lawyer to help others seek asylum. After a five-year process, he was reunited with his wife and daughter in Chicago.
Chelsea VerstegenJune 2, 2023
How US Policy Drives, Describes and Denies Black Immigration
Patrice Lawrence of the UndocuBlack Network explains how U.S. policies are impacting Black immigration from Africa, the Caribbean and Latin America.
Jillian MeleroMay 26, 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
Title 42 is Ending. What’s Next for Immigration?
As the Trump-era rule ends Thursday, Biden plans to enact strict immigration policies toward asylum seekers and send more troops to the U.S.-Mexico border.
Reema SalehMay 11, 2023
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.
Lightfoot Plans To Turn Old South Shore High School Into Migrant Shelter As More Buses Arrive
The plan comes after the city's short-notice rollout of a migrant shelter in neighboring Woodlawn sparked months of outrage. Officials will host a meeting on the plan Thursday.
Maxwell EvansMay 2, 2023
Texas Will Start Busing Migrants To Chicago Again Monday, Creating ‘Humanitarian Crisis,’ Lightfoot Says
Mayor Lori Lightfoot has said the city already doesn't have enough space for the migrants who are here — and the answer to problems at the border isn't busing people to Chicago.
Mack LiedermanMay 1, 2023
Migrants Sent On One-Way Flights From Texas Sleeping At O’Hare As City Scrambles To Find Them Shelter
The city is working to support the migrants, but officials said it's been difficult to plan when there is no communication from the states sending people here.
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
Chicagoans Protest Surveillance and Deportation on the 20th Anniversary of ICE
Immigrant demonstrators called for the end of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the detainment and surveillance of immigrants.
Diane Bou KhalilMarch 30, 2023
LexisNexis’ Contract with ICE Allows for Illegal Surveillance of Immigrants, Lawsuit Claims
The Chicago ICE Field Office conducted more than 13,000 searches of the LexisNexis database between March and September 2021.
Chelsea VerstegenMarch 2, 2023
A Chicago Mural Project Becomes a Nationwide Movement
The Mural Movement started as a beautification project but has grown to provide solace and support for community members — generational or recently arrived.
Martha ContrerasFebruary 9, 2023
Chicago Police Denied Scores of Undocumented Crime Victims a Path to Citizenship
Immigrants seeking U visas are being blocked by two sergeants who were previously involved in controversial shootings and on the verge of being fired.
Carlos BallesterosJanuary 17, 2023
Behind the scenes of “After the Buses: Meet The Migrants At The Center Of Texas’ Manufactured Crisis”
Why we worked on these stories, how our collaboration with Block Club Chicago came together and what we learned.
Diane Bou KhalilDecember 15, 2022
What’s Behind Venezuelan Migrants Coming to Chicago?
Illinois Venezuelan Alliance cofounder Ana Gil Garcia explains why 25% of Venezuela’s population has left Venezuela and how Chicagoans are welcoming Venezuelan migrants.
Diane Bou KhalilDecember 1, 2022
‘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
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
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
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.
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
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
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
With Congress gridlocked, advocates say it’s up to state and local lawmakers to protect the undocumented elderly
Advocates say Illinois lawmakers should build welfare programs that mirror those for citizens, like food stamps and unemployment insurance.
Chicago’s Undocumented Seniors Face Slim and Dangerous Housing Options
With a high cost of living and no social safety net, undocumented seniors often depend on families and are at high risk of losing their homes. This is part three in a series with the Chicago Tribune on the growing population of undocumented seniors in Illinois.
Illinois’ New Health Care Program for Undocumented Seniors Leaves Some of the Most Vulnerable Behind
Illinois’ New Health Care Program for Undocumented Seniors Leaves Some of the Most Vulnerable Behind
The program enrolled over 9,000 people in its first year, but doesn’t cover long-term care — a dangerous pitfall for many undocumented seniors.
Aging in the Shadows: A Crisis of Older Undocumented Workers Awaits Illinois
The number of undocumented immigrants ages 65 and over in Illinois is set to grow exponentially. Advocates say it’s a crisis in the making. Injustice Watch and the Chicago Tribune teamed up to report on the challenges facing Illinois’ aging undocumented population.
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
The Lasting Impact of Trump’s Muslim Ban
Five years after President Trump enacted the Muslim travel ban, Chicago immigrants share how their lives were changed by the policy.
Ata YounanFebruary 8, 2022
Remembering the Muslim Travel Ban 5 Years On
A new book by Reece Jones chronicles the aftermath of Trump’s ban on nationals from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.
Borderless Magazine StaffJanuary 25, 2022
McHenry County Will Not Get to Keep Holding ICE Detainees, Chairman Says
The decision comes after the Illinois county fought to keep its contract with the federal immigration organization.
McHenry County Allowed to Keep Holding ICE Detainees for Now, Appeals Court Says
The court's ruling comes after McHenry and Kankakee counties filed a join lawsuit challenging the Illinois Way Forward Act.
Judge Upholds Illinois Way Forward Act, Sealing an End to ICE Detention in the State
A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by two Illinois counties hoping to keep their lucrative ICE detention contracts. Those contracts are now set to be phased out starting Jan. 1.
Carlos BallesterosDecember 7, 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
Lawsuit Could Foil Illinois’ Ban on Immigration Detention
Officials in McHenry and Kankakee counties have sued the state to block implementation of a law that would require them to cancel their ICE detention contracts.
Carlos BallesterosNovember 19, 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
Dozens of Traumatized Afghan Kids Struggle Inside a Shelter That’s Ill-Equipped to Care for Them
Some Afghan children at a Chicago shelter have hurt themselves or others, leaving workers overwhelmed. Employees say the shelter has never experienced this level of chaos and isn’t equipped to provide kids with services they need.
Melissa SanchezOctober 28, 2021
FAQ: What You Need to Know About COVID Vaccines in Immigrant Detention Centers
A confusing rollout has left many immigrants detained by ICE relying on local governments to get a COVID vaccine.
Adriana RezalOctober 13, 2021
What to Know About the U.S. Deportations of Haitians
After photos of Border Patrol agents whipping Haitian asylum seekers were made public, immigrant advocates are calling for an end to Title 42 deportations.
Borderless Magazine StaffSeptember 23, 2021
Immigrant Artists Lose Their Home After Contentious Eviction
The developer who ordered the eviction will demolish the Little Village building that housed the community space La Casa del Inmigrante.
Alexandra ArriagaSeptember 16, 2021
Pritzker Signs Bill Allowing Cook County Public Defender’s Office to Handle Deportation Cases
But a lack of funding and personnel could drastically limit how many immigrants the county can represent.
Carlos BallesterosAugust 30, 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
