ICE at work: Increased mental health benefits are critical amidst raids

• Key Insight: Learn why immigration enforcement is forcing employers to rethink workforce mental-health strategies.   
• Expert Quote: "Leaders must reinforce stability and clarity," advises Stephanie Pimentel, CEO, Lumena Global Advisory.   
• Forward Look: Prepare for expanded employer mental-health benefits and immigration-focused clinical support offerings.
  Source: Bullets generated by AI with editorial review

Stories of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids are weighing heavily on employees across the country, and many are looking to their employers for additional support as stress levels climb. 

Under the current Trump administration, ICE arrests and detention levels have reached record highs, with 68,289 people currently in custody as of February 2026, according to data from TRAC Immigration. In January alone, 39,694 new bookings were recorded, including men, women and children. 

"For many employees, these situations are not abstract," says Stephanie Pimentel, founder and CEO of Lumena Global Advisory, a consultancy that helps U.S. companies expand operations into Latin America. "Political debates can feel deeply personal as employees worry about themselves, family members, legal uncertainty or community stability overall. That kind of stress affects psychological safety and trust within the workplace." 

Read more: Whistleblowers allege fraud at ICE detention center

Nearly 40% of U.S. workers stated that increased ICE activity has negatively affected their sense of safety while at work, according to a survey from EMCI Wireless. Survey feedback gathered by equity non-profit KFF showed even immigrants with legal status are worried about drawing attention to themselves or loved ones, with some saying they now only leave the house when necessary — limiting driving or skipping health appointments or recreational activities. 

"I've seen firsthand how external events can ripple through the workforce almost instantly," Pimentel says. "When communities feel pressured and under attack, employees don't leave those emotions at the door when they come to work." 

As an example, Pimentel, who is Latina and oversees a workforce with a large Latinx demographic, shared a situation where an employee was having a crisis because of her immigration status — something that became apparent in the output of her work. The employee's stress and anxiety reached the point where she had to be removed from her client-facing position in order to have the safe space to process her emotions. As ICE raids persist, comprehensive mental health benefits are an increasingly high priority for observant leaders. 

Read more: What employers need to know about ICE raids

Those kinds of experiences are not uncommon, nor unjustified, according to Dr. Jessica Watrous, a licensed psychologist and chief clinical officer at healthcare services provider Modern Health. Current events can have a significant impact on employees' mental health, particularly when there is uncertainty around safety, stability or belonging, making effective mental healthcare one of several important tools leaders should be thinking about long-term. 

"Organizations have a real opportunity to take a more proactive approach and to be a resource for employees when world events and circumstances lead to distress," she says. "When that support is in place upfront, companies are less likely to find themselves frantically reacting to each new global stressor in real time, as they're better prepared to respond."

Psychological safety as a policy

The first step is establishing mental health support that is adaptive to varying needs across a workforce, Dr. Watrous says. This includes various forms of therapy, coaching, digital support for self-guided experiences and access to community resources. More specifically, ensuring that the mental health professionals in an organization's network are certified with areas of focus that include immigration could make a significant difference in helping employees manage stress, anxiety, depression, and trauma. 

Most importantly, Pimentel adds, all of these initiatives need to be paired with transparency and strong communication. 

Read more: Trump's immigration crackdown fails to deliver jobs for US-born workers

"Make sure your policies are clear," Pimentel says. "Ensure support services are visible and accessible, which means sending out emails, doing group chats, hosting town halls and making sure resources are not hidden somewhere in a handbook." 

Failing to act or address current events could also lead to high turnover rates within diverse demographics in the workplace as well as low engagement and productivity. Pimentel urges leaders to recognize that moments of uncertainty reveal the real strength of an organization's culture and leadership, and that the best way to protect their business is to protect their workforce. 

"Leaders cannot continue to ignore reality," Pimentel says. "These communities are experiencing real fear and disruption and it's the responsibility of leadership to reinforce stability, clarity and respect."