Immigration Archives

Public Defenders

Pritzker signs bill allowing Cook County public defender’s office to handle deportation cases

But a lack of funding and personnel could drastically limit how many immigrants the county can represent.

by Carlos Ballesteros August 23, 2021January 8, 2024

A mother and three of her children look away from the camera

Left behind: How deportation affects a Chicago mother and her 6 kids

A Chicago mother explains how her husband’s 15-year-old conviction led to three deportations and a family torn apart.

by Rita Oceguera April 27, 2021January 8, 2024

Flyer asking the audience if they know anyone who has been deported after a criminal conviction.

Immigration

Do you know someone who has been deported after a criminal conviction?

Injustice Watch and Borderless Magazine need your help to investigate the consequences noncitizens face after a criminal conviction.

by Rita Oceguera March 9, 2021December 5, 2023

Staff News & Awards

Meet the reporters: A Q&A with new Injustice Watch staff Josh McGhee and Rita Oceguera

In an interview with Editor-in-Chief Adeshina Emmanuel, Josh and Rita discussed what issues they’re covering, and how they’re making sense of 2020.

by Injustice Watch Staff February 4, 2021January 8, 2024

Immigration

Nueva ley interrumpiría proceso de deportación en las cárceles

Un grupo de congresistas demócratas, liderado por el representante de Illinois, Jesús “Chuy” García, está renovando el impulso de una amplia legislación que desmantelaría muchos segmentos del llamado conducto de la prisión, a la deportación.

by Carlos Ballesteros February 1, 2021January 8, 2024

Immigration

The New Way Forward Act could disrupt the prison-to-deportation pipeline

Chicago Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia is leading a push to reverse decades of punitive policies that land thousands of immigrants in detention each year after coming into contact with the criminal justice system.

by Carlos Ballesteros January 27, 2021January 8, 2024

China cabinets

Grief was a China Cabinet And in her neighborhood Everybody ate off plastic Because it was safer for the children

by Glory Blankenship October 1, 2020April 2, 2024

Immigration

Southwest Side construction worker quickly deported to Mexico while awaiting DACA decision

With the Trump administration seeking to kill the Obama-era program for immigrants, Jesus Alberto ‘Beto’ Lopez Gutierrez, 25, was deported after suing ICE.

by Carlos Ballesteros July 3, 2020December 5, 2023

Immigration

Trump administration threatens anew cities, counties over policing immigration

Frustrated by a U.S. District Judge’s blanket order halting federal efforts to punish cities, counties that do not cooperate on immigration policing, the Trump administration has launched a new effort. Cook County, Chicago are among the jurisdictions that could fact cutbacks in funding for law enforcement.

by Jeanne Kuang January 24, 2018December 5, 2023

Get our weekly newsletter