Stories – Borderless Magazine NFP

Two customers facing away browse produce at Los Rodriguez Farms at the Uptown Farmer’s Market on May 13, 2026.

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

Featured

What is Illinois’ FRESH Program?

More than 157,000 eligible Illinois residents who lost SNAP benefits may qualify for a one-time $400 payment for food. Here’s what you should know.

F. Amanda TugadeSeptember 1, 2026

Attorney Samuel B. Cole with the ACLU Illinois joins around a dozen fellow immigrant rights leaders to raise awareness about President Trump’s “mega master hearings” happening at Chicago immigration court at 55 E. Monroe during a press conference on July 30, 2026

Max Herman/Borderless Magazine

Immigration Policy Resources

What is a ‘Mega Master’ Hearing?

Illinois officials are demanding an end to “mega master” hearings in Chicago’s immigration court, where hundreds of people are being scheduled for hearings at the same time — often without lawyers. Here’s what immigrants should know.

Tara MobasherAugust 27, 2026

Laura McDermott for Chalkbeat

Education Top Stories

Chicago Board of Education 101: Know the Basics of the Soon-To-Be Elected Board Guiding Chicago Public Schools

After 30 years of mayoral control, the Chicago Board of Education will be fully elected in November. Here’s everything you need to know.

Makiya SemineraAugust 25, 2026

Pabon, a Venezuelan farmer, who came to the U.S. four years ago stands outside on a city street.

R. Taylor Robinson for Medill/Borderless Magazine

Immigration Policy Investigation Top Stories

‘Seems Like a Betrayal’: They Fled Violence, Followed U.S. Asylum Rules — and Still Faced Deportation

President Donald Trump’s administration is using a little-known legal motion to remove asylum-seekers without a hearing to unfamiliar, third countries like Ecuador and Uganda.

R. Taylor RobinsonAugust 20, 2026

An illustration shows an immigration attorney holding paperwork seated next to a child.

Illustration by Jesse Renee Kennedy for Medill/Borderless Magazine

Immigration Policy Latest

Chicago Nonprofits Serving Unaccompanied Minors Face Federal Funding Cuts After Months of Accelerated Court Hearings

This summer, Chicago-based legal representatives for unaccompanied minors confront slashed budgets after the federal government let a contract lapse — a move that comes after months of fast-tracked immigration hearings.

Julian GonzalezAugust 18, 2026

Dayanne Figueroa speaks as elected officials, attorneys, community leaders, and victims from Operation Midway Blitz hold a press conference on Aug. 10, 2026 outside the Chicago Police Department at 2452 W. Belmont Ave. in North Center ahead of filing police reports with the Chicago Police Department that allege crimes committed by ICE agents.

Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago

Immigration Policy Latest

Chicagoans Alleging Crimes by ICE Agents Seek Police Help After Feds ‘Fail To Act’

A coalition of alleged victims and immigration advocates filed nine police reports Monday against federal agents linked to last fall’s Operation Midway Blitz.

Kade HeatherAugust 14, 2026

Alejandro Quiroz poses for a portrait on a path in McKinley Park’s natural reserve on May 30, 2026.

Camilla Forte/Borderless Magazine/Catchlight Local/Borderless Magazine

Arts & Culture Latest Neighborhood Guide

An Artist’s Guide to McKinley Park

From a DIY skate park to restaurant favorites, artist and curator Alejandro Quiroz shares the spaces that reflect the spirit of the McKinley Park community.

Camilla ForteAugust 13, 2026

Max Herman/Borderless Magazine

As Told To Education Latest

He Watched His Mother Advocate For Special Ed Support in CPS. Now, He’s Voting for Change

As Chicagoans prepare to elect its school board, first-generation Chicago Public Schools’ alum Froylan Suarez is voting to advocate for more bilingual resources for immigrant families like his.

Samantha MonjeAugust 11, 2026

A participant stands up among a large crowd while speaking during a public education meeting.

U.S. Department of Education / CC BY 2.0

Education Latest

The biggest misconception about Local School Councils? They don’t do anything.

Local School Councils remain the most direct way West Side residents can influence decisions at their neighborhood schools. But participation remains a challenge.

Nel AfenyaAugust 6, 2026

Four immigration judges, looking confused and upset, walk towards the exit in a courtroom in an illustration.

Illustration by Kailey Ryan for Borderless Magazine

Enforcement and Courts Immigration Policy Investigation Latest

Immigration Courts Were Never Independent. Why the President Is Testing the Limits

Immigration judges are Justice Department employees. The Trump administration is using that system to fire judges, set new priorities and reshape the court at an unprecedented scale.

Molly A. WallaceAugust 4, 2026

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