Chapters Offer Support in Reaction to Increasingly Traumatic ICE Enforcement Raids

Chapters

By Paul R. Pace

Social workers and NASW chapters are responding to the needs of migrants and their families as the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) continues to make immigration raids in cities across the U.S.

The issue reached a tragic point on Jan. 7 when an ICE agent shot and killed Renee Good, a 37-year-old American woman, in Minneapolis. The NASW Minnesota Chapter quickly released a statement that explained the chapter stands with the community in mourning the violent death that occurred. It noted that Good offered no immediate threat to the agent who killed her in her car. Federal authorities claim the agent acted in self-defense in shooting Good. At press time, no government investigation or charges had been filed against the agent.

“The violent incursion of federal agencies into our city is making our clients, our families, and our neighborhoods less safe,” the NASW-Minnesota statement said. “Every Minnesotan deserves to live in a community free from violence and fear. As social workers, we have a responsibility to use our power, our skills, and our voices to protect and defend our communities.”

“From the school social workers on the ground this morning working to bring food and resources to impacted communities to the macro social workers occupying the halls of power demanding change, this moment demands more than mourning, we must speak clearly and collectively for systemic change,” the chapter said.

Texas

While the tragic shooting death in Minneapolis made world headlines, the issue of ICE raids has drawn ongoing criticism in several states.

No where is that more evident than in Texas, which had the most arrests of people suspected of being undocumented immigrants than any other state in 2025.

Will Francis, LMSW, executive director of the NASW Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma chapters, said the Texas chapter has been working closely with a variety of partners that include the Immigrant Services Network of Austin and the Mexican Legal Defense Fund.

“A lot of what we’re seeing is that the fear is keeping people from going to food pantries, going to get gas, going to the grocery store,” he said. “So, (we’re) trying to sort of see what folks can do behind the scenes with those communities to potentially offer resources so that folks don’t have to put themselves in harm’s way.”

The ICE raids also are taking a toll on people’s mental health, Francis said. “We’ve sent out a whole lot of information on (immigration) rights so that social workers can share that with clients as well as be informed on what things look like.”

“We have been trying to get social workers more involved in volunteer opportunities,” he added. “That could be everything from observing court proceedings to making sure that everything is OK in those spaces to seeing what services are potentially needed in communities where they are less likely to go seek services.”

Florida

Just as the Texas chapter is working with others in helping migrants and their families, the NASW Florida Chapter also has been very active, noted Christina Cazanave-McCarthy, MSW, executive director of the NASW Florida and Georgia chapters.

“If we truly believe in social justice, then we must also believe in the fair, lawful and humane treatment of all individuals,” she said. “Many ICE enforcement actions, as currently carried out, are inhumane, aggressive and unlawful.”

The use of excessive force and dangerous tactics creates confusion and panic among individuals who are attempting to comply and protect their families, placing the most vulnerable at even greater risk, Cazanave-McCarthy said.

NASW-Florida has conducted a statewide virtual training on immigration to members and future members with tools to navigate interaction with federal Department of Homeland Security officers, which included talking points, an overview of judicial warrants, and resources to pass out to clients who may be undocumented.

The chapter also conducted a Know Your Rights training with the ACLU of Florida that focused on protesting safety, interaction with state and federal law enforcement, and how to navigate law enforcement if you are undocumented.

The chapter held a student town hall as well, so students could process their feelings, gain support, and connect with community resources.

Illinois

The NASW Illinois Chapter publicly condemned the recent escalation of ICE operations in the Chicago region, including reports of raids, use of chemical agents, and aggressive enforcement tactics in Broadview and downtown.

“These actions have created fear and trauma in our communities and threaten both civil rights and community safety,” the chapter said in a statement.

NASW-Illinois Executive Director Joel Rubin said the chapter has been involved with the Illinois Coalition of Immigrants and Refugee Rights.

“Over the years, they have championed a lot of really important immigrant rights legislation,” he said.

The chapter has conducted Know Your Rights workshops for migrants as information for social workers, and it supports the work of the Coalition for Immigrant Mental Health.

“What I think people overlook a lot of times is the mental health aspects of issues around trauma,” Rubin said.

The trauma that ICE is creating deepens that crisis by destabilizing communities, deterring people from seeking care, and increasing anxiety and fear, the chapter said.

“No one should have to choose between safety and access to essential services. When these operations end, it will fall to Illinois communities, social workers, and local providers to repair the harm that has been done.”

New Mexico/Arizona

As in other states, New Mexico and Arizona have seen their share of ICE raids in the past year.

Lauren Gomez, LCSW, is the executive director of the New Mexico and Arizona chapters. She said she is hearing social workers say their clients are experiencing fear and trauma from the raids. It is important that social workers know how to help clients maintain a level of calm and focus in order to lessen those fears, she said.

Sharing information is key, Gomez pointed out. That includes letting social workers know about the availability of legal aid and immigrant advocacy partners, she said.

It is also vital to provide social workers and case managers with guidance in helping migrants navigate the raids.

“I think that when the ICE raids were happening here, what was really nice is that the community was coming together and posting information on social media where the ICE raids were happening and telling people how they can stay safe,” Gomez said. “I think that our biggest job as social workers during (ICE raids) was being able to provide information as to what everybody’s rights are and pointing them in the right direction for people that could help.”