Resources Archives – Borderless Magazine NFP

Daniel Powell/ZUMA Press Wire/Alamy and Camilla Forte/Borderless Magazine/Catchlight Local/Report for America

Immigration Policy Resources Top Stories

From Pepper Spray to Tear Gas: Here’s How to Spot the Difference When They’re Dispersed

Amid frequent escalating protests and aggressive tactics by federal agents, Borderless compiled a guide to understand what substances agents are using — and how to stay protected in case of potential exposure.

Tara MobasherOctober 17, 2025

Photo illustration by Max Herman/Borderless Magazine

Environment and Health Resources

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.

Lucy Baptiste and Tara MobasherJuly 22, 2025

Katrina Pham/Borderless Magazine

Resources

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.

Tara MobasherJune 3, 2025

Illustration by Mike Centeno for Borderless Magazine

Enforcement and Courts Immigration Policy Resources

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.

Tara MobasherApril 29, 2025

Max Herman/Borderless Magazine

Immigration Policy Resources

Immigration Attorneys Share Tips for Seeking Legal Assistance During Uncertain Times

With immigration policies rapidly shifting, attorneys say it's important to stay informed about how recent changes may affect your legal status.

Aydali CampaMarch 25, 2025

Christian K. Lee/Chalkbeat

Education Resources

Five Things to Know About Immigration Policy and Illinois Schools

President Donald Trump is using executive orders to roll back rights for immigrants. Here is what to know about Illinois’ and Chicago’s immigration policies and how they relate to schools.

Samantha Smylie and Reema Amin, Chalkbeat ChicagoJanuary 29, 2025

Oscar Gomez/Borderless Magazine

Education Resources

What Immigrant Communities Should Know About Their Rights

All immigrants in the U.S. have rights, including the right to remain silent. Here’s what you should know if you encounter federal immigration agents.

Katrina Pham and Tara MobasherJanuary 17, 2025

Molly Devore/Block Club Chicago

Resources

Where to Find Turkey Giveaways This Thanksgiving

If you need food this Thanksgiving, here is a guide to upcoming turkey giveaways in Chicago.

Fiona WuNovember 20, 2024

coats over various colors hang on a rack

Michelle Kanaar/Borderless Magazine

Resources

Where To Find Free or Cheap Winter Coats In Chicago

From coat drives to free stores to resale shops, here are places to get free or low-cost coats and jackets this winter in the Chicago area.

Diane Bou KhalilNovember 7, 2024

Oscar Gomez/Borderless Magazine

Education Resources

Where to Find Free English Language Classes in Chicago

City Colleges of Chicago, Chicago Public Libraries and other local organizations that offer free English classes for adults across the city.

Tara MobasherOctober 10, 2024

Photo illustration and photo by Max Herman/Borderless Magazine

Resources

What Immigrants Should Know About Buying a Home in Chicago

Immigration status can complicate a person's path to homeownership. Still, there are ways to prepare for home-buying, such as improving your credit and getting an ITIN number.

Andrea FloresSeptember 17, 2024

Photo illustration by Max Herman/Borderless Magazine. Source image: Maxim Gertsen / Alamy Stock

Labor and Economics Resources

Looking to Buy a Home? These Groups Offer Homeownership Counseling in Chicago

Whether you want to buy a house, a townhouse, or a condo, these organizations can help you get your new home.

Mauricio PeñaSeptember 17, 2024

Borderless Magazine

Immigration Policy Resources

How to Vote in Illinois This Election

From how to register to vote to who can vote, we answer your questions about voting in the presidential election.

Tara MobasherSeptember 15, 2024

Abel Uribe for Borderless Magazine

Environment and Health Labor and Economics Organizing Resources

5 Things To Know About Your Rights As a Day Laborer in Illinois

From wage theft to unsafe work sites, how to navigate your rights as a day laborer regardless of immigration status in Illinois.

Stephen FranklinJuly 30, 2024

Michelle Kanaar/Borderless Magazine

Education Resources

How to Apply for Financial Assistance as an Undocumented Student

Undocumented students entering college can’t apply for federal financial aid, but some local and national scholarships and assistance attempt to bridge this gap.

Tara MobasherJune 25, 2024

Oscar Gomez for Borderless Magazine

Environment and Health Resources

Where to Find Cooling Centers During Chicago’s Heatwave

How to stay cool and avoid heatstroke in the city and suburbs during the “heat dome.”

Diane Bou KhalilJune 17, 2024

Illustration by Edel Rodriguez, special to ProPublica

Labor and Economics Resources

What You Need to Know If You’re Hurt While Working on a Wisconsin Dairy Farm

ProPublica spoke to lawyers, health care providers, government officials and others to help workers understand their rights if they’re injured on the job.

Maryam Jameel, ProPublica and Melissa Sanchez, ProPublicaJune 17, 2024

Photo illustration by Max Herman/Borderless Magazine. Photo by TongRo Images / Alamy Stock Photo. Map from Open Street Map

Environment and Health Resources

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

Photo illustration by Max Herman/Borderless Magazine. Photo by Underwood Archives, Inc / Alamy Stock Photo

Enforcement and Courts Resources

5 Things to Know When Preparing For Immigration Court Without a Lawyer

Getting an attorney can be expensive and hard to find. Here are tips curated by Borderless on how to navigate immigration court.

Katrina PhamMay 14, 2024

Illustration by Mike Centeno for Borderless Magazine

Environment and Health Resources

Resource Guides for Immigrants in Chicago

From food assistance to mental health support, we compiled all of our resource guides in one place.

Borderless Magazine StaffApril 15, 2024

Photo illustration by Borderless Magazine

Resources

7 Things Migrants Should Know About Upcoming Shelter Evictions

Chicago’s 60-day shelter limits will kick in soon. Borderless answers questions on how to access community, city and state resources.

Katrina PhamMarch 5, 2024

Illustration by Mike Centeno for Borderless Magazine

Environment and Health Resources

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

Samantha Cabrera Friend for Borderless Magazine

Environment and Health Resources

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.

Katrina Pham and Diane Bou KhalilJanuary 16, 2024

Michelle Kanaar/Borderless Magazine

Resources

Where To Find Free or Cheap Winter Coats In Chicago

From coat drives to free stores to resale shops, here are places to get free or low-cost coats and jackets this winter in the Chicago area.

Diane Bou KhalilNovember 10, 2023

Sebastián Hidalgo for Borderless Magazine

Resources

Where to get free food by neighborhood in Chicago

Here are a few food pantries where you can receive groceries or a hot meal in each of Chicago’s 77 community areas.

Katrina PhamOctober 17, 2023

Oscar Gomez for Borderless Magazine

Resources

How to access food benefits programs and free groceries in Chicago

Chicagoans can access free food through food stamps and local food pantries, but eligibility requirements vary. Here’s how you can get food regardless of your immigration or citizenship status in Chicago.

Katrina PhamOctober 17, 2023

Migrants walk to a city bus after being sent to Chicago from Texas by Gov. Greg Abbott

Jesus J. Montero for Borderless Magazine

Resources

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.

Diane Bou Khalil and Katrina PhamSeptember 21, 2023

Efrain Soriano/Borderless Magazine

Environment and Health Resources

How to apply for FEMA assistance regardless of immigration status

Mixed immigration status families in Cicero and other Chicago-area towns can still apply for federal assistance if they were impacted by the July storms.

Diane Bou KhalilSeptember 15, 2023

Efrain Soriano/Borderless Magazine

Resources

Locally Made App Puts Interpreter in Immigrants’ Pockets

Joel Arzu and his brother Regis are the brains behind CoVoice, an app people can use to be connected with an interpreter in real-time.

Maia McDonaldSeptember 8, 2023

Jesus J. Montero for Borderless Magazine

Resources

How to Help Migrants Coming to Chicago

Where to donate food, clothing, money and more to help immigrants being bused to Chicago as part of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s political stunt.

Borderless Magazine StaffMay 2, 2023

Michelle Kanaar | Borderless Magazine

Resources

Introducing Borderless Magazine’s Field Canvasser Playbook

A guide to using community organizing techniques to bring journalists closer to their audiences

Nissa RheeMarch 14, 2023

2D91W08 Modern textured digital illustration of abstract human heads and personal data infographics. Concept of collecting internet activities information.

Anatolii Babii / Alamy Stock Photo

Resources

Is My Personal Information For Sale and What Can I Do About It?

LexisNexis, a data brokerage firm, is being sued by Illinois activists for the collection and sale of immigrant data to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. What data is legal or illegal to sell? Who can access it? And what can they do with it?

Chelsea VerstegenMarch 2, 2023

Image courtesy of Illinois Secretary of State Office

Resources

What ID Do You Need to Travel or Register to Vote?

From a driver’s license to a REAL ID card to CityKey ID, here’s how to get an ID if you’re an immigrant or an undocumented person.

Diane Bou KhalilFebruary 2, 2023

Michelle Kanaar/Borderless Magazine

Organizing Resources

The Essential Guide to Mutual Aid Groups in Chicago

From Little Village to Rogers Park, where to give and get help from your neighbors this holiday season in Chicago and its suburbs.

Diane Bou KhalilNovember 21, 2022

Michelle Kanaar/Borderless Magazine

Resources

Where To Find Free or Cheap Winter Coats In Chicago

From coat drives to free stores to resale shops, here are places to get inexpensive or free coats and jackets in the Chicago area.

Diane Bou KhalilNovember 10, 2022

Michelle Kanaar/Borderless Magazine

Immigration Policy Resources

How to Vote in Illinois this Election Day

From what to bring to who can vote, we answer your questions about voting in the midterm elections in Illinois.

Jillian MeleroNovember 4, 2022

A word cloud in the shape of a globe with words such as human, refugee, asylum. immigration, application, request, U.S.C.I.S., backlog, proceedings, U.S., pending, request, affirmative, representation, cases, interview, fear, country, border, persecution

Michelle Kanaar/Borderless Magazine

Resources

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

Michelle Kanaar/Borderless Magazine

Environment and Health Resources

Using Education to Overcome Health Care Barriers for Immigrants

The Immigrant Health Academy is helping Chicago area immigrants navigate the health care system and access funding for their medical bills.

Leslie HurtadoMay 19, 2022

woman standing at computer shaking hands with someone

Shutterstock

Resources

How to Find an Immigration Lawyer

When do you need an immigration lawyer? How can you find free legal help for your immigration case? We answer your questions.

Diane Bou KhalilApril 21, 2022

Chicagoans rally against Russian invasion of Ukraine

Photo by Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago

Organizing Resources

How to Support Ukrainians

A running list of events held by Chicagoans to build solidarity with and awareness of the ongoing war in Ukraine

Borderless Magazine StaffFebruary 24, 2022

Photo by Michelle Kanaar/Borderless Magazine

Resources

La guía esencial para los grupos de ayuda mutua en Chicago

Desde La Villita hasta Rogers Park, lugares para dar y recibir ayuda de sus vecinos en esta temporada navideña en Chicago y sus suburbios.

Diane Bou KhalilNovember 22, 2021

Photo by Michelle Kanaar/Borderless Magazine

Resources

Dónde encontrar pruebas gratuitas de COVID-19 en Chicago

Las pruebas rápidas y de PCR están disponibles en toda el área de Chicago. Manténte al tanto de tu salud y encuentra un sitio de pruebas en tu vecindario.

Diane Bou KhalilNovember 4, 2021

Photo by Michelle Kanaar/Borderless Magazine

Environment and Health Resources

Where to Find Free COVID-19 Tests in Chicago

PCR and rapid testing is available throughout the Chicago area. Stay on top of your health and find a testing site in your neighborhood.

Diane Bou KhalilNovember 1, 2021

Environment and Health Resources

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

Illustration by Cha Pornea

Resources

Cómo ayudar a los refugiados afganos en Chicago y en otros lugares

Dona dinero o sé voluntario para ayudar a las familias de refugiados afganos que escapan de los talibanes

Claire VoonSeptember 1, 2021

African, food, restaurant, Yassa, Chicago

Photo courtesy of Yassa African Restaurant

Arts & Culture Resources

La guía definitiva de comida africana en Chicago

¿Se te antoja la comida etíope, egipcia, ghanesa o somalí? Lo tenemos todo solucionado con nuestra lista detallada de los restaurantes africanos que debes probar en Chicago.

Diane Bou KhalilAugust 26, 2021

Illustration by Cha Pornea

Resources

How to Help Afghan Refugees in Chicago and Beyond

Donate money or volunteer to support in-need Afghan refugee families escaping the Taliban

Claire VoonAugust 20, 2021

Photo courtesy of Yassa African Restaurant

Arts & Culture Resources

The Ultimate Guide to African Food in Chicago

Craving Ethiopian, Egyptian, Ghanaian or Somali food? We’ve got you covered with our exhaustive list of Chicago’s must-try African restaurants.

Diane Bou KhalilAugust 18, 2021

domestic, violence, immigration, Apna, Ghar, Borderless, women, abuse, gender

Resources

How to Confront Domestic Violence

Apna Ghar’s Maha Waseem on how immigrants are particularly vulnerable to domestic violence and what we can do to support survivors.

Diane Bou Khalil and Claire VoonApril 20, 2021

immigration, tips, lawyer, noncitizen, criminal court, deportation, courts

Photo by April Alonso for Borderless Magazine/Catchlight Local

Resources

Ask a lawyer: 5 tips for noncitizens in criminal court

Hena Mansori, the head of the new immigration unit at the Cook County Public Defender's Office, offers advice for noncitizens who come into contact with the justice system.

Rita OcegueraApril 1, 2021

immigrants, conviction, court, criminalization, deportation, defender, attorney, courts, representation

Photo by April Alonso for Borderless Magazine/Catchlight Local

Resources

Cook County aims to disrupt the conviction-to-deportation pipeline

A new unit within the Cook County public defender's office wants better representation for noncitizens clients at risk of being deported.

Carlos BallesterosMarch 31, 2021

Education Resources

LGBTQ detainees can get free books with Chicago program

Books for Migrants provides LGBTQ migrants in detention a book of their choice every month.

Ata YounanMarch 17, 2021

vaccine, Chicago, coronavirus, resource, pandemic, health

Environment and Health Resources

Here’s How You Can Get Vaccinated Against Coronavirus In Chicago

Here's where, how and when you can get vaccinated against COVID-19 in Chicago.

Kelly BauerMarch 10, 2021

grants, Little Village, Chicago, resources, pandemic, Latinx, business

Environment and Health Resources

Little Village Businesses Can Apply For Up To $3,000 Micro-Grants

Along with financial assistance, the Road to Recovery program offers technical help for businesses struggling during the pandemic.

Mauricio PeñaMarch 9, 2021

Asian, harassment, bystander, training, intervention, Chicago

Environment and Health Organizing Resources

With Anti-Asian Attacks On The Rise, Webinar Teaches Bystanders How To Help

During the past few months, Catherine Shieh has been leading bystander intervention trainings over Zoom to help stem the rise in anti-Asian attacks throughout the country.

Esther Yoon-Ji KangMarch 2, 2021

Max Herman / CatchLight Local Chicago

Arts & Culture Labor and Economics Resources

The South Side Mutual Aid Group Fighting Food Insecurity with Meals that Feed the Soul

Farm, Food, Familias partners with diverse chefs to bring dishes with cultural specificity to Black and Latinx communities in need.

Chelsea VerstegenFebruary 10, 2021

Resources

Ten Things to Watch and Read about Immigration this Winter

From stories about undocumented immigrants to comedies about first-generation families, here are some of our favorite things to watch and read about immigration.

Claudia HernándezDecember 22, 2020

Resources

Where to Find Turkey Giveaways This Thanksgiving

Community organizations throughout Chicago are giving out food and clothing to families in need this holiday season.

Diane Bou KhalilNovember 19, 2020

Resources

How to Get Help Voting in Illinois

Wondering how to register to vote? How to vote by mail? ¿Quieres saber cómo registrarte para votar? ¿Cómo votar por correo?

Diane Bou Khalil and Nissa RheeOctober 23, 2020

Resources

After Court Ruling, What’s Next for TPS?

Temporary Protected Status, or TPS, helps 300,000 people work and live in the United States. But a recent court ruling threatens to end the humanitarian program.

Diane Bou KhalilSeptember 28, 2020

Resources

What You Need to Know About the New Restrictions on Work Visas

How Trump’s new executive order impacts American companies and immigrants who work or want to work in the United States.

Claudia HernándezJuly 8, 2020

Photo by Michelle Kanaar

Resources

Immigration Judges Sue Over Censorship

The National Association of Immigration Judges' Samuel Cole talks about a Trump administration rule that he says muzzles judges.

Diane Bou KhalilJuly 8, 2020

Resources

Should I Apply for DACA? Can I Renew? Lawyer Answers DACA Recipients’ Questions

Vanessa Esparza-López, a supervising attorney with the National Immigrant Justice Center’s Immigrant Legal Defense Project, explains how the Supreme Court's ruling will impact DACA recipients.

Diane Bou Khalil and Cassidy JacksonJune 29, 2020

DACA immigration Mexico Dreamers Supreme Court Illustration

Grae Rosa for Borderless Magazine

Resources

Supreme Court Protects DACA: Understanding the Court’s Decision and the Obama-era immigration policy

The Supreme Court rejected President Trump's termination of DACA today. The policy has allowed over 825,000 immigrants to work and go to school in the United States since 2012.

Francisco VelazquezJune 18, 2020

Resources

A People’s Guide to Fighting Racism

Six Black and Latinx community leaders share what we need to do to address structural racism.

Diane Bou Khalil and Nissa RheeJune 11, 2020

Environment and Health Resources

Six immigrant organizations that need your help during the coronavirus outbreak

As COVID-19 continues to spread in Illinois, immigrant organizations are looking to protect their oldest, most vulnerable community members.

Leslie HurtadoMarch 18, 2020

News that puts power under the spotlight and communities at the center.

Resources