Immigration

Stories about immigration courts, detention, and enforcement.

A pink-and-blue hued sketch of a young woman in duplicate. On the left side she's smiling, on the right side she has a sad expression.

Illinois DCFS blocks undocumented survivors of child abuse from applying for legal status, records show

By Carlos Ballesteros | February 23, 2023

For years, the child-welfare agency has refused to issue U visa certifications to survivors of child abuse, despite a state law mandating DCFS decide whether victims qualify for one within 90 business days of applying.

Illinois AG investigating Chicago police over handling of U visas

Alderpeople call for hearings on Chicago police U visa certification program following Injustice Watch investigation

Proteger a ancianos indocumentados depende de legisladores estatales y locales, abogan defensores ante paralización del Congreso

With Congress gridlocked, advocates say it’s up to state and local lawmakers to protect the undocumented elderly

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El DCFS de Illinois impide que personas indocumentadas sobrevivientes de abuso infantil soliciten estatus legal, según muestran los registros

By Carlos Ballesteros | February 27, 2023

Durante años, el DCFS se ha negado a emitir certificaciones de visa U a sobrevivientes de abuso infantil, a pesar de una ley estatal que exige que la agencia decida si las víctimas califican para una enlos 90 días hábiles posteriores a la solicitud.

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Illustration of a silhouette with a scene of a man getting stabbed outside his truck. In the background are pages of U visa denials.

La policía de Chicago negó a decenas de indocumentados que fueron víctimas de delitos un camino hacia la ciudadanía

By Carlos Ballesteros | December 12, 2022

Inmigrantes que buscan una visa U están siendo bloqueados por dos sargentos que anteriormente estuvieron cerca de ser despedidos por estar involucrados en tiroteos controversiales, lo cual genera dudas sobre el compromiso de CPD con el programa de visas U.

Immigration

Illustration of two police officers placing U visa applications in a pile labeled “denied.”

Chicago police denied scores of undocumented crime victims a path to citizenship

By Carlos Ballesteros | December 8, 2022

Immigrants seeking a U visa are being blocked by two sergeants who were previously involved in controversial shootings and on the verge of being fired, raising questions about CPD’s commitment to the U visa program.

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People stand in front of a courthouse with paper chains and signs that read

Lawsuit: Indiana jail neglects immigrants while using ICE funds as ‘cash cow’

By Chelsea Verstegen (Borderless Magazine) | June 10, 2022

A lawsuit alleges that detained immigrants are being held in inhumane conditions, while Clay County misuses the money it receives from ICE to house detainees.

Aging in the Shadows

An elderly man with one amputated leg wheels himself on a wheelchair past a dining room table.

Expertos latinos de Chicago analizarán en un panel la serie ‘Envejecer en las sombras’

By Laura Rodríguez Presa (Chicago Tribune) | April 25, 2022

El miércoles al mediodía, acompaña a Laura Rodríguez y a Carlos Ballesteros para una conversación en vivo y español por Facebook, junto con un panel de expertos que ayudarán a diseccionar la serie, su significado y su efecto potencial.

Aging in the Shadows

A man's wrinkled hands count out pills on a paper towel. Seven pill bottles are scattered on the table in front of him.

Injustice Watch and Chicago Tribune host Facebook Live discussion on undocumented seniors

By Laura Rodríguez Presa (Chicago Tribune) | April 19, 2022

In a Facebook Live event Wed., April 20, reporters Carlos Ballesteros and Laura Rodríguez Presa will talk with experts about their series on the challenges facing undocumented seniors.