Stories – Borderless Magazine NFP

Mustafa Rfat stands for a photo on the campus of the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s Grace Abbott School of Social Work. Rfat is an assistant professor of social work at the university.

Rebecca Gratz for Borderless Magazine

Environment and Health Featured Labor and Economics

Refugees With Disabilities Are About to Lose an Important Lifeline. Here’s What Illinois Advocates Are Doing to Help.

Illinois refugees will lose Medicaid access in October as part of federal funding cuts.

Chelsea VerstegenSeptember 29, 2026

On a rainy day, Lorenzo Espinoza (left) presents the trophy to Omar Ayala (right) after Morelia’s 2-0 win against Atlético Nacional on September 20, 2026.

Photo by Jonathan Torres

Arts & Culture Top Stories

Some Of Chicago’s Oldest Latino Soccer Clubs Now In A League Of Their Own

CLASA Elite — founded and operated by 10 Latino soccer clubs with Chicago ties going back decades — concluded its inaugural season in Englewood Sunday.

Jonathan TorresSeptember 25, 2026

A middle-aged woman speaks to a judge who puts his hands on his head in frustration as there are no court room interpreters.

Illustration by Grace Herzog for Medill School of Journalism/Borderless Magazine

Enforcement and Courts Immigration Policy Top Stories

When Immigration Court Interpreters Get It Wrong, Asylum Cases Are At Risk

From mistranslated words to unavailable interpreters, language barriers can undermine immigrants’ cases — affecting whether or not they stay in the U.S.

Grace Herzog and Sarah SerotaSeptember 24, 2026

Dr. Melissa Argüelles (left) and EMT Marta Green (right) look over paperwork inside the CARE (Crisis Assistance Response and Engagement) van before heading out for a shift on Sept. 14, 2026.

Camilla Forte/Borderless Magazine/Catchlight Local/Report for America

Environment and Health Resources

More Chicagoans are Getting Mental Health Help Through 911

Borderless sat down with the head of Chicago’s Crisis Assistance Response and Engagement program to explain the non-police service.

F. Amanda TugadeSeptember 22, 2026

Federal agents wearing masks use pepper spray on protesters outside the Broadview immigration processing facility on Sept. 19, 2026.

Courtesy of Robert Held

Immigration Policy Latest

Agents Pepper Spray Protesters Near Broadview ICE Site On Anniversary Of First Violent Clash

The protest took place on the one-year anniversary of the first violent clash between protesters and agents at the suburban facility during Operation Midway Blitz.

Charles Thrush, Block Club ChicagoSeptember 21, 2026

Brian Nazario, stands on Lawrence avenue, in the neighborhood where he grew up, Albany Park.

Camilla Forte/Borderless Magazine/Catchlight Local/Report for America

Arts & Culture Latest Neighborhood Guide

A Tattoo Artist’s Guide to Albany Park

From a lively pool hall to a bakery selling traditional Mexican sweet breads, tattoo artist Brian Nazario shares the spots that he believes makes Albany Park unique.

Camilla ForteSeptember 18, 2026

Abdinasir Kahim poses for a portrait outside of the Somali restaurant Bismilahi on the near north side.

Photo by Alyssa Schukar

Enforcement and Courts Immigration Policy Latest

Somali Asylum Seekers Face Fast-Tracked Immigration Court Cases in Chicago

A Borderless Magazine investigation found that Somali immigrants’ asylum cases were fast-tracked, making it harder for some of them to gather the corroborating evidence to prepare for their hearings.

Ben LaurenSeptember 17, 2026

Alex Garcia/Investigative Project on Race and Equity

Immigration Policy Labor and Economics Latest

From ‘Blitz’ to Bust: ICE Cost Businesses $1.2B in Losses

A new report from UIC says 12 months of immigration enforcement discouraged Cook County shoppers from spending.

Jose Abonce, Investigative Project on Race and EquitySeptember 16, 2026

Press Announcements

BorderlessLive! Brings Chicago Immigration Leaders, Journalists and Community Voices Together October 8

The inaugural symposium and fundraiser will bring together Chicago journalists, civic leaders, artists and immigrant community voices for conversations on immigration, identity and belonging.

Diane Bou KhalilSeptember 16, 2026

Mayor Brandon Johnson, surrounded by allies, speaks to reporters during a press conference about protecting immigrant Chicagoans in October 2025. After months of delay, the mayors office has opened applications for people interested in serving on the school board's noncitizen advisory board.

Reema Amin / Chalkbeat

Education Latest

After Delay, Chicago Mayor’s Office Opens Applications for the School Board’s Noncitizen Advisory Panel

Advocates say they pushed for the advisory board as a way to give a more formal voice to noncitizens, who cannot vote in Chicago’s school board elections.

Reema Amin, Chalkbeat ChicagoSeptember 15, 2026

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