Stories – Borderless Magazine NFP

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

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 Top Stories

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 Neighborhood Guide Top Stories

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

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

As Told To Education Latest

As Chicago Elects Its School Board, This Parent is Advocating for Safer Schools

Inspired by her mother’s involvement in her education in Mexico, Maria Leticia Toribio is advocating for the safety and support of immigrant families in Chicago Public Schools.

Samantha MonjeSeptember 15, 2026

Organizers with Hijas del Pueblo, Casa Du Page and the Resurrection Project hold up a large painted portrait of Silverio Villegas González on canvas outside the Franklin Park Police Department at 9451 W. Belmont Ave. on Aug. 17, 2026.

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

Enforcement and Courts Immigration Policy Latest

A Year of Flowers, Candles and Memories: The Vigil of Silverio Villegas-Gonzalez

Franklin Park residents say the roadside memorial to a father shot by ICE has become a gathering place for grief and resistance to immigration enforcement.

Tara MobasherSeptember 11, 2026

Photo Illustration by Verónica Martinez/Injustice Watch. Photos via Adobe Stock

Enforcement and Courts Immigration Policy Latest

The County Prosecutors Who Became ICE Informants

Illinois prosecutors shared defendants’ personal data with federal immigration agents without criminal warrants, public disclosure, or legislative oversight.

Aura Bogado, Injustice WatchSeptember 10, 2026

Latest Articles

More Chicagoans are Getting Mental Health Help Through 911

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

A Tattoo Artist’s Guide to Albany Park

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

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

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

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

As Chicago Elects Its School Board, This Parent is Advocating for Safer Schools

A Year of Flowers, Candles and Memories: The Vigil of Silverio Villegas-Gonzalez

The County Prosecutors Who Became ICE Informants

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