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Camilla Forte/Borderless Magazine/Catchlight Local/Report for AmericaArts & CultureImmigration PolicyTop StoriesVisuals

Mexican Independence Day Parades Celebrate Heritage, Despite Immigration Pressures

As thousands celebrated their pride during this weekend’s Mexican Independence Day celebrations, many also took a stand against the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement activity in Chicago.
By , and September 16, 2025
Camilla Forte/Borderless Magazine/Catchlight Local/Report for AmericaEducationTop Stories

Shaped by Her Immigrant Family, This Principal’s Mission is to Empower Multilingual Students in the Southwest Side

While growing up in Little Village, Berenice Salas developed an early passion for linguistics and heritage that would eventually guide her career as an educator.
By September 9, 2025
Camilla Forte/Borderless Magazine/Catchlight Local/Report for AmericaHealthOrganizingTop Stories

Meet the Chicago Women on the Frontlines Helping Immigrants Access Health Care on the Southwest Side

As thousands of immigrants lost access to state-funded health care, these community health workers are making sure Little Village residents’ medical needs are met.
By and September 11, 2025

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Black Immigrants Today series

Oscar Gomez/Borderless Magazine
Rwanda Refugee Guides Newcomers Starting New Lives in Chicago: ‘I’m in the Right Place’

Rwanda Refugee Guides Newcomers Starting New Lives in Chicago: ‘I’m in the Right Place’

Martine Séverin for Borderless Magazine
Agnes Kanjinga, azali moto ya mayele

Agnes Kanjinga, azali moto ya mayele

A Eritrean man poses for a photo with his three sons in the Rogers Park neighborhood in Chicago.Gonzalo Guzman for Borderless Magazine
Tsegay Gebreyohanes

Tsegay Gebreyohanes

Martine Séverin for Borderless Magazine
Jean Chrisbene Justin

Jean Chrisbene Justin

Camilla Forte/Borderless Magazine/Catchlight Local/Report for AmericaArts & CultureImmigration PolicyTop StoriesVisuals

Mexican Independence Day Parades Celebrate Heritage, Despite Immigration Pressures

As thousands celebrated their pride during this weekend’s Mexican Independence Day celebrations, many also took a stand against the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement activity in Chicago.
By , and September 16, 2025
Camilla Forte/Borderless Magazine/Catchlight Local/Report for AmericaArts & CultureBusinessConflictEducationEventHistoryImmigration PolicyOrganizingResources

Immigration Agents? National Guard? What to Know About Trump’s Latest Escalation

The Illinois National Guard has not been activated, but federal immigration agents have arrived in Chicago. Now, elected officials and community groups are bolstering Know Your Right efforts across the city.
By , and September 5, 2025
four reporters in front of gray cement wall: Melody wearing a beige blazer Jesus in black jeans a black t-shrit and a jacket, Madison giving a thumbs up and Diane with glasses on her headColin Boyle/Block Club ChicagoAfter the BusesImmigration Policy

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.
By December 15, 2022
Camilla Forte/Borderless Magazine/Catchlight Local/Report for AmericaArts & CultureBusinessConflictEducationEventHistoryImmigration PolicyOrganizingResources

Immigration Agents? National Guard? What to Know About Trump’s Latest Escalation

The Illinois National Guard has not been activated, but federal immigration agents have arrived in Chicago. Now, elected officials and community groups are bolstering Know Your Right efforts across the city.
By , and September 5, 2025
Camilla Forte/Borderless Magazine/Catchlight Local/Report for AmericaArts & CultureImmigration PolicyTrending

How Summer Festival Organizers Leaned into Community Resources to Resist ICE

Some festival organizers have taken proactive measures to train vendors and staff on how to interact with ICE agents ahead of large gatherings with immigrant attendees.
By and September 2, 2025
Photo illustration by Max Herman/Borderless Magazine. Photos by Max Herman and Camilla Forte/Borderless MagazineEducationImmigration PolicyOrganizingTrending

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.”
By August 29, 2025
Photo illustration by Max Herman/Borderless MagazineHealthResourcesTrending

Where to Find Free, Low-Cost Health Coverage Regardless of Status

Thousands of Illinois immigrants have lost health coverage, with the end of the Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults (HBIA) program July 1. Borderless Magazine compiled a guide to explain who’s affected and what options are available.
By and July 22, 2025
Katrina Pham/Borderless MagazineImmigration PolicyResourcesTrending

Illinois and Advocacy Groups Launch Online Resource for Immigrant Families

The immigrant rights resource site provides guidance on Know Your Rights and what to do if one’s loved one is detained.
By June 3, 2025
Illustration by Mike Centeno for Borderless MagazineResourcesTrending

What to Know About Deportation Proceedings

Under Trump, immigration policies are rapidly changing. Borderless Magazine compiled a guide to explain removal proceedings, detainee rights and potential risks.
By April 29, 2025
Colin Boyle/Block Club ChicagoAfter the Buses

After The Buses: Meet The Migrants At The Center Of Texas’ Manufactured Crisis

Block Club Chicago and Borderless Magazine followed 10 of the thousands of Venezuelan migrants sent to Chicago as part of Texas Gov. Abbott’s political stunt this year.
By December 6, 2022
Colin Boyle/Block Club ChicagoAfter the Buses

A Young Venezuelan Had Never Heard Of Chicago. Now, He’s Starting A Life Here.

Jhopsef Stiven spent years hopping countries in search of a better life. He's one of thousands of migrants starting over in Chicago with no family or knowledge of the city.
By December 4, 2022
Maikel wearing a black NVA jacket and smiling with fall leavesColin Boyle/Block Club ChicagoAfter the Buses

Young Venezuelan Struggles To Build A Life And Pay Off Debt Of His Journey To America

Maikel Jose Tineo was hopeful about his new life in Chicago. But since he’s arrived, he's been stiffed by a job and watched his friend rushed to the emergency room. Now, he’s wondering if he should stay.
By December 4, 2022

Staff Picks

Sandra and Jesse Arzola in front of Sandra's family’s house in West ChicagoJonathan Aguilar/Borderless MagazineEnvironmentInvestigationStaff pickTrending

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.
By July 12, 2022
Salima Mazari looking out the window of her current homeMichelle Kanaar/Borderless MagazineAs Told ToBroken-Winged Birds: Afghans in ExileStaff pickTrending

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.
As told to July 7, 2022
Claudia Hernández for Borderless MagazineStaff pick

Read Our Award-Nominated Stories

An investigation into the spread of COVID in immigrant detention centers, our comic book and our reporting on trans asylum seekers
By April 27, 2022
environmental, justice, immigrants, Chicago, youth, racism, Southeast, General, Iron, jobs, clean, health, comicEnvironmentMi barrio me respaldaOrganizingStaff pickVisuals

Reclaiming the Sacrifice Zone

The youth-led campaign for environmental justice on the Southeast Side.
By May 6, 2021