Mass Worksite Enforcement Immigration Surges in 2025

Introduction: A Turning Point in Worksite Enforcement (Harming Economy & Communities)

On September 4, 2025, federal agents carried out the largest single-site worksite immigration raid in U.S. history, detaining about 475 workers—most of them South Korean nationals—at a Hyundai battery-plant construction site in Ellabell, Georgia, near Savannah (Associated Press). The operation, widely covered for its scale and diplomatic fallout, signaled a deliberate shift toward mass worksite enforcement that now reverberates across industries, supply chains, and immigrant communities (Reuters). Mass worksite immigration enforcement has increased significantly since early 2025, marking a return to large-scale mass worksite enforcement actions after being halted in 2021. Since 2024, there has been a sharp increase in mass worksite immigration enforcement, reversing the halt on large-scale raids instituted by the Biden administration in 2021. These mass raids have had a negative impact on the local economy, leading to reduced business activity and job losses in affected communities.

The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and other advocates warn that such tactics instill fear rather than promote lawful compliance, eroding trust between employers, workers, and government institutions (AILA – Policy Briefs).

**Immigration Lawyer Richard Herman: “**The Georgia Hyundai raid is the largest single-site worksite raid on record, with about 475 detentions, most of them South Korean nationals—an unprecedented flashpoint with foreign-relations implications as well as local economic shock”

What Is Worksite Enforcement — and Why It’s Escalating

Worksite enforcement comprises several tools the government uses to deter unauthorized employment:

• Mass raids and arrests at factories, farms, and construction sites (ICE – Worksite Enforcement Investigations)
• I-9 audits and inspections to check employer verification practices (USCIS – Form I-9)
• Employers can correct minor violations within 10 days to avoid fines after an I-9 audit.
• E-Verify enrollment and checks comparing I-9 data to government records (USCIS – E-Verify)
• Criminal probes and civil fines targeting suspected employer violations (ICE – Worksite Enforcement Feature Page)

ICE raids primarily target unauthorized workers and enforce immigration laws. The Department of Homeland Security states that enforcement of immigration laws is critical for national security and public safety.

Employers are required to complete and retain a Form I-9 for each individual they hire. They must also verify the authenticity and validity of employment documents and the documents workers present as proof of identity and work authorization. Reviewing these employment documents is essential for legal compliance, but in some cases, employers conduct only a cursory review, which can lead to compliance issues and facilitate the use of false documents.

Historically, interior enforcement was handled by the former INS, later reorganized into DHS/ICE in 2003. Over time, highly visible raids—such as the 2006 Swift raids—set a template for large, public operations. Today’s approach amplifies those tactics with sustained media promotion and deterrence messaging (Migration Policy Institute – Worksite Enforcement Topic). Expanded enforcement is focusing on larger companies in key sectors, including retail and healthcare, in addition to traditional targets like construction and agriculture. Expanded enforcement actions have resulted in a documented decrease in total workforce participation, including among non-citizens.

2025 Surge: A Nationwide Escalation

Key Worksite Immigration Raids & Patterns

• Georgia (Hyundai site): ~475 detentions at a battery-plant construction site, making it the largest known single-site raid.
• Alabama: 53 workers arrested at an automotive parts facility.
• Florida: Two simultaneous raids with 33 and over 100 arrests, respectively.
• Louisiana: 15 arrested at a construction project.
• Massachusetts: 11 workers at a roofing business detained.
• Other states (Texas, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, South Dakota) also saw elevated enforcement.
• Tallahassee, Florida: In May 2025, over 100 workers were detained during a raid at a construction site.

In the Southeast alone, six immigration raids were reported within a three-month period, underscoring the intensity and frequency of these enforcement actions.

ICE’s own statements indicate that worksite enforcement investigations have already doubled year-over-year.

These operations are increasingly coordinated and resourced by the expanded ICE budget authorized under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA).

Economic and Labor Impact

1. Labor Shortages, Undocumented Workers & Absenteeism

In the wake of massive raids, employers across sectors report dramatic absenteeism. In agriculture, some operations saw up to 70% of workers stop showing up after threats or rumor of raids. California farmers have expressed that immigration raids interfere with food production and create instability. Attempts to address labor shortages through the guest worker visa program have faced criticism for being insufficient and overly complex, leaving many farms unable to meet their workforce needs. Immigration enforcement actions can lead to job turnover without significant changes in the employment rate. When workers vanish:

• Crops spoil in fields
• Food processing lines shut down
• Restaurants and services lose staff
• Farms increasingly rely on contracted workers and contracted workers plant arrangements to fill gaps left by enforcement pressures

The loss of essential farm employees threatens the stability of food production, as these workers are crucial to maintaining agricultural operations.

In Oxnard, California, a 2025 econometric study estimated a 20–40% reduction in agricultural labor, contributing to $3–7 billion in crop losses and 5–12% produce price inflation. The fear created by worksite enforcement has led to increased rates of low birth weight among infants born to Hispanic mothers in affected communities.

(CalMatters – What Really Happens After Raids).

2. Price Inflation & Downstream Effects

The Agriculture sector, operating on tight margins, is acutely vulnerable to workforce disruptions. As production drops, costs are passed on to consumers via price hikes. When enforcement actions target food processing plants, shutdowns of processing lines can cause significant supply chain disruptions, leading to further price inflation.

Additionally, immigrant households—facing fear and instability—pull back on spending, further reducing local economic demand.

(Economic Policy Institute – Immigration & Workplace Enforcement).

3. Business Instability & Compliance Costs

Even fully lawful employers now face:

• Legal and HR costs to respond to raids or audits
• Confusion over shifting policy signals
• Potential investigations of H-1B visa usage under new enforcement priorities

ICE has stepped up scrutiny on employers using H-1B workers—potentially chilling vital innovation and growth in sectors reliant on global talent.

(Brookings-style assessment often cited; see EPI’s broader economic analysis). Additionally, studies and commentary from the federal reserve bank have highlighted how mass worksite enforcement can disrupt local economies, increase compliance costs, and impact employment trends.

The Spread of Fear: Enforcement Beyond the Worksite

Outside Worksite Tactics

Reports from legal advocates document federal agents arresting people:

• At parking lots
• At bus stops
• At transit hubs
• On the way to or from work

In addition to these locations, there have been instances where border patrol conducted operations in agricultural areas and local communities, demonstrating that enforcement extends well beyond the immediate workplace.

The Supreme Court’s 2025 decision in U.S. v. Los Angeles County expanded federal power to detain individuals “commuting to or from employment,” effectively sanctioning broader detentions.

Even legally present workers or those with asylum claims report avoiding transit, hearings, or everyday travel. After a raid, people in affected communities may refrain from driving and going to school, leading to economic hardship.

(SCOTUS Order (Noem v. Vasquez Perdomo), Sept. 8, 2025). The ACLU of Southern California summarized the effect of the Court’s stay as removing a temporary block that had limited such operations in LA County (ACLU SoCal – Press Release).

Psychological and Community Trauma

Raids disrupt households. Immigrant families, including children and spouses, are directly impacted by these actions, often experiencing significant disruption and trauma. Some children come home to find a parent missing. Schools often deal with the aftermath of raids, as children may return home to find their parents detained. Community institutions—churches, clinics, schools—report steep declines in participation. Social workers describe collective trauma: anxiety, depression, and deteriorated trust. Some families compare the fear and aftermath of immigration raids to the impacts of hurricanes or war. Absences, suspensions, expulsions and rates of substance abuse increased among Latino students in a town that was raided, even among students whose families were not directly impacted.

Victims of abuse or wage theft increasingly avoid law enforcement, fearing immigration consequences.

Policy Contradictions, Confusion & Legal Risk

1. Mixed Messaging & Enforcement Reversals

Under political pressure, the administration has at times announced enforcement “pauses” in agriculture or hospitality, only to reverse those directives within days. Businesses and workers are left guessing whether any sector is truly safe.

These mixed signals follow the precedent set by the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown, which was marked by aggressive worksite raids and shifting enforcement priorities, leading to ongoing policy confusion.

(ICE – Release Highlighting Sector Focus).

2. Work Authorization Chaos

In 2025, DHS terminated or failed to timely renew Temporary Protected Status** (TPS)** for nations including Haiti, Afghanistan, Venezuela, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua, Cameroon, and Syria.

Statutorily, such designations should be renewed 60 days in advance, but many notices came after that deadline, creating confusion about the validity of Employment Authorization Documents (EADs).

Simultaneously, the revocation of Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan, and Venezuelan (CHNV) parole in March 2025 immediately stripped authorized status from thousands.

This regulatory whiplash forces employers and workers to interpret ambiguous legal standing with no reliable guidance. The instability highlights the limitations of the current immigration program in providing a stable and effective long-term solution for both workers and employers.

3. Constitutional and Legal Risk

Many raids rest on administrative warrants rather than judicial oversight. Agents sometimes use “knock-and-talk” coercion or “hot pursuit” entries, bypassing established protections under the Fourth Amendment and Supreme Court precedent (e.g. INS v. Delgado).

Thousands of complaints allege overreach, abuse, and misidentification (including U.S. citizens). Oversight mechanisms such as ICE’s Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) exist, but critics argue they lack sufficient independence or enforcement authority.

Data Snapshot: Enforcement Trends

These figures are drawn from ICE and DHS reports, and analyses by the Economic Policy Institute. The sharp increase in recent years reflects a trend toward large-scale immigration raids, which have had significant social and economic impacts on affected communities.

Community, Trust & Public Safety Consequences

Erosion of Community Trust

Immigrant communities increasingly avoid contact with law enforcement, even to report serious crimes — fear of arrest outweighs safety needs.

Local police across states such as Georgia and Florida report surges in unreported crime and declining cooperation. While some studies found that property crime dropped in certain communities following large-scale immigration raids, these outcomes are complex, as other categories like violent crime sometimes increased, reflecting the nuanced social impacts of such enforcement actions.

Economic Displacement & Fiscal Loss

Detained workers mean lost income, reduced consumption, and shrinking tax bases. When immigration enforcement actions raid employees, those workers often experience sudden job loss and economic hardship, which further contributes to the broader fiscal impact on the community. A recent study from the Center for American Progress estimates mass deportations may cost the U.S. economy up to $9.2 billion annually in lost GDP.

Small rural towns relying on immigrant labor are especially vulnerable to such shocks.

Legal and Constitutional Concerns

Advocates and scholars warn that heavy reliance on administrative warrants, “knock-and-talk” entries, and warrantless incursions into non-public areas risks Fourth Amendment violations. The Supreme Court’s stay in the LA case demonstrates how quickly enforcement parameters can expand when injunctions are lifted, reshaping everyday risk for workers and bystanders (SCOTUS – Stay Order, Sept. 8, 2025). In official and political discourse, the term ‘illegal aliens’ is frequently used to frame these enforcement actions, often emphasizing the perceived societal and economic consequences.

At the same time, empirical assessments show worksite raids rarely result in significant employer punishment, raising doubts about whether spectacle is substituting for accountability (Economic Policy Institute – Enforcement & the Workplace).

Community Safety and Public Trust

Local law-enforcement agencies and community groups report declines in crime reporting and cooperation in enforcement-heavy regions. People forgo contacting authorities—even when they are victims of wage theft or violence—out of fear of immigration consequences, a pattern documented across multiple states during enforcement spikes (CalMatters – Community Impact Analysis). Raids create a climate of fear that discourages workers from asserting their legal rights, leading to mental health consequences such as depression and anxiety. The experiences of workers during these raids highlight tensions between enforcement priorities and the needs of local communities, as workers highlight tensions between strict immigration enforcement and the economic and social well-being of the areas where they live and work.

Recommendations: Restore Law, Fairness, and Stability

1) Re-center Due Process and Transparency

• Require judicial warrants for entry into non-public workplace areas (USCIS – I-9 Rules Frame Employer/Employee Rights).
• Publish clear SOPs on planning, executing, and reviewing operations (ICE – Worksite Enforcement Overview).
• Ensure customs enforcement agencies play an active role in verifying compliance and conducting workplace inspections to uphold lawful and transparent operations.
• Provide counsel access and public after-action reports to improve accountability (ICE – HSI Investigative Mission).

2) Minimize Collateral Harm

• Avoid operations near schools, hospitals, and places of worship; coordinate with local agencies to protect dependents during actions (ACLU SoCal – LA Raids Case Summary).
• Establish humanitarian protocols for family care and rapid status-checking to prevent wrongful detentions (USCIS – I-9 Central).

3) Target Genuine Bad Actors

• Prioritize cases involving trafficking, wage theft, or egregious employer fraud, shifting resources from mass roundups to data-driven investigations (ICE – Targets Employment Law Violators). Employers who knowingly hire workers without proper authorization should be held accountable to deter illegal employment practices.
• Coordinate with labor agencies and prosecutors to ensure labor-standards enforcement happens alongside immigration enforcement (EPI – Threatening Migrants, Shortchanging Workers).

4) Simplify Employer Compliance

• Provide timely public guidance on TPS, parole, and EAD validity when policy or litigation changes affect authorization (USCIS – Form I-9).
• Address the use of false social security numbers in the hiring process, as these fraudulent documents present significant challenges for employer compliance during I-9 audits and document verification.
• Expand IMAGE participation and training as a cooperative path to compliance (ICE – IMAGE Program).

5) Strengthen Oversight and Accountability

• Resource oversight functions (e.g., OIG/CRCL) to audit worksite operations and conditions; lapses during shutdowns illustrate why oversight matters (Washington Post – Oversight Furlough & Surge).
• Require annual public reporting on outcomes (employer sanctions vs. worker arrests) to measure effectiveness and civil-rights impact (DHS – Budget in Brief Portal). For example, during major enforcement actions, federal agents ultimately arrested hundreds of individuals, highlighting the significant impact of these operations on workers and communities.

Role of HSI in Worksite Investigations

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) plays a pivotal role in the federal government’s efforts to enforce immigration laws at the workplace. As the investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security, HSI leads worksite enforcement investigations designed to identify and apprehend undocumented immigrants and to hold employers accountable for hiring unauthorized workers. In recent years, especially under the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown, HSI has ramped up its focus on conducting immigration raids and targeting businesses suspected of employing undocumented workers.

HSI’s strategy involves a combination of high-profile immigration raids, detailed audits of employment records, and undercover operations to uncover illegal hiring practices. By investigating employers who knowingly hire unauthorized workers, HSI aims to disrupt the networks that enable undocumented labor and to deter future violations. These efforts are not only about apprehending undocumented immigrants but also about protecting the integrity of the nation’s immigration system and ensuring that lawful workforce opportunities are preserved for authorized employees. Through these actions, HSI seeks to reduce the demand for illegal employment and reinforce the message that compliance with immigration laws is essential for all businesses.

Employer Preparation and Compliance

Employers facing the possibility of worksite immigration enforcement must take proactive steps to ensure they are fully compliant with federal immigration laws. The foundation of compliance is verifying the employment eligibility of every worker, which means accurately completing and maintaining Form I-9 records for all employees. Utilizing federal immigration verification tools such as E-Verify can provide an additional layer of assurance that your workforce is authorized to work in the United States.

Regular internal audits of I-9 forms and employment records are essential to identify and correct any discrepancies before they become enforcement issues. Employers should also develop a comprehensive worksite enforcement plan, which includes designating a response team, training staff on how to interact with immigration agents, and establishing clear procedures for handling document requests and employee questioning during enforcement actions. By preparing in advance and fostering a culture of compliance, employers can minimize the risk of costly enforcement actions and demonstrate good-faith efforts to follow immigration laws and regulations.

Best Practices for Navigating Worksite Enforcement

When faced with worksite enforcement actions, preparation and knowledge are key to minimizing disruption and protecting both your business and your employees. Employers should have a clear plan in place, including a designated response team trained to handle interactions with immigration agents. It’s crucial to remain calm and professional during any encounter, and to ensure that all staff understand their rights and obligations.

Upon the arrival of immigration agents, employers should verify the agents’ identities and credentials, and request to see a valid judicial warrant before granting access to non-public areas of the workplace. Employees should be informed of their right to remain silent and their right to request legal representation. Employers must also take care to protect employee rights, ensuring that no one is coerced or intimidated into providing information. By following these best practices and maintaining open communication, employers can navigate worksite enforcement actions more effectively, safeguard their workforce, and reduce the risk of business disruption.

Conclusion: Enforcement Should Uphold—Not Undermine—Justice

Mass worksite raids do not advance public safety. They destabilize industries, shatter families, and erode constitutional norms. Evidence indicates they seldom deliver meaningful employer accountability, but they do generate fear that drives workers—and abuses—underground (EPI – Enforcement & the Workplace). Recent enforcement actions are approaching the scale of the largest mass deportation event in U.S. history, raising concerns about repeating past harms.

A smarter model is available: target the real bad actors, support cooperative compliance, and rebuild trust through due process and transparency

Frequently Asked Questions about Mass Immigration Worksite Raids

1. What is a “mass worksite raid,” and why has this tactic increased under DHS?

A mass worksite raid refers to large-scale enforcement operations where federal agents enter a workplace (factory, farm, warehouse, etc.) to detain or arrest multiple employees suspected of lacking legal work authorization.
These operations have surged under recent DHS policy shifts prioritizing interior enforcement, largely fueled by increases in ICE funding and directives emphasizing deterrence over selective targeting.

2. What legal authority supports worksite raids?

DHS and ICE rely on statutes under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) that prohibit unauthorized employment (e.g. INA § 274A) and allow interior enforcement.
They often execute administrative or judicial warrants, carry out I-9 inspections, and coordinate with local law enforcement. The ICE Mutual Agreement Program (IMAGE) is also used to promote voluntary employer compliance.

3. How do worksite raids affect workers, both authorized and unauthorized?

• Unauthorized workers face detention and potential deportation.
• Even lawful or visa-holding employees may avoid work out of fear.
• Outside-site detentions (e.g. in parking lots or transit) have been reported, undermining mobility and safety.
• Many families suffer trauma from separation, fear, and economic disruption.

4. Which sectors are most commonly targeted in raids?

Industries heavily reliant on immigrant labor are frequent targets, including:

• Agriculture and food processing
• Construction and manufacturing
• Hospitality and retail
• Warehousing and logistics

Some raids also impact high-visibility manufacturing plants, especially when foreign nationals are involved.

5. Do raids free up jobs for U.S. citizens?

No. Evidence shows that raids lead to labor shortages, not job vacancies filled by citizens. In many affected communities, productivity declines and operations slow or shut down. Economic analyses have found that raids often depress rather than reallocate employment.

6. What are common tactics used by enforcement agents during raids?

Common methods include:

• Sealing exits, cornering workers, and sweeping arresting in groups
• Presentation in tactical gear to intimidate
• Seizing records, computers, and employee files
• “Knock-and-talk” entries and use of administrative warrants
  These tactics heighten fear and amplify deterrence beyond actual arrests.

7. How do raids impact local economies and communities?

• Decreases in consumption and business revenue
• Reduced tax receipts for local government
• Disrupted supply chains and production loss
• Flight of workers and community instability
  In farming regions, labor loss can translate into billions in lost crop value and price increases for consumers.

8. Are employers held accountable in raids?

Employers may face civil fines, loss of eligibility for contracts, or criminal charges if fraud or willful violations are found. However, in many raids, focus remains on detaining workers, not pursuing employer liability. Compliance tools such as IMAGE are also used to incentivize voluntary cooperation.

9. What rights do workers have during a raid?

• The right to remain silent
• The right to refuse entry without a warrant
• The right to inspect any warrant offered by agents
• The right to legal representation
• The right not to sign documents without understanding them

Some states also limit cooperation by local police with federal immigration enforcement.

10. Can DHS conduct raids at private property near workplaces—e.g. streets or parking lots?

Yes, under recent court interpretations, DHS claims authority to detain individuals commuting to or from workplaces. This effectively expands the reach of enforcement beyond the worksite itself, increasing risk for workers even off premises.

11. Does DHS notify state or local authorities before a raid?

Sometimes, DHS notifies state or local agencies for coordination, especially concerning security or public disruption. But often, operations are executed without prior public notice to maximize surprise and minimize avoidance.

12. How do status changes (e.g. ending Temporary Protected Status) relate to raids?

When DHS revokes or lets expire status programs (e.g. TPS or humanitarian parole), many employees lose work authorization. These shifts create legal uncertainty, and some authorities use them to justify increased enforcement pressures, including raids.

13. Are there limits on enforcement near sensitive locations?

Prior guidelines discouraged raids at schools, hospitals, places of worship, but enforcement priorities have shifted. Some new policies no longer treat these as protected zones, consequently increasing the risk in sensitive areas.

14. How do mass raids challenge constitutional protections?

• Fourth Amendment: warrantless entries and seizures
• Fifth Amendment: due process (lack of individualized assessments)
• Equal protection: potential bias in targeting communities of color
• Administrative warrants and coercive tactics often skirt judicial oversight.

15. What is the deterrent logic behind mass raids—does it work?

The enforcement theory assumes punitive spectacle deters unauthorized employment. But real-world results show limited compliance benefit and substantial collateral harm: economic drag, traumatized communities, and loss of trust in institutions.

16. What enforcement metrics or quotas drive raids?

Internal DHS documents suggest field offices may be evaluated by number of arrests or removals rather than severity of violations. This can incentivize indiscriminate actions rather than targeted, high-impact cases.

17. How do raids influence reporting of labor abuses or crimes?

Fear of deportation discourages victims from reporting wage theft, assault, or labor violations. Workers may avoid police or government agencies, reducing accountability and increasing exploitation.

18. Are large-scale raids a recent phenomenon or have parallels in U.S. history?

No. Historical precedents include:

• Swift raids (2006) — a coordinated sweep of meatpacking plants
• 2018 Southeastern Provisions raid — a meat processing plant sweep
  These earlier raids foreshadow current patterns of using workplaces as enforcement fronts.

19. What can employers do to prepare or respond to a raid?

Best practices include:

• Ensuring I-9 compliance and document audits
• Training HR staff on “Know Your Rights” protocols
• Having legal counsel ready for rapid response
• Avoiding voluntary collaboration before due legal review
  Preparedness minimizes disruption and legal exposure.

20. What policy reforms are proposed to counter excessive raids?

Advocacy groups often propose:

• Requiring judicial warrants for entries
• Restricting enforcement near sensitive locations
• Prioritizing serious employer fraud over mass saturation raids
• Clear guidance and transition periods for status changes
• Enhanced oversight, transparency, and accountability
• Safe-harbor protections for good-faith compliance

Need Answers About DHS Worksite Raids? Don’t Face It Alone — Call Richard T. Herman Today.

If your workplace, employees, or family have been affected by mass immigration worksite raids by DHS or ICE, time is critical. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is the primary agency responsible for conducting workplace raids, enforcing immigration laws, and ensuring compliance with employment eligibility verification. These enforcement actions can lead to arrests, detention, heavy fines, and devastating community disruption — even for employers who believe they have complied with the law.

For more than 30 years, Attorney Richard T. Herman has represented individuals, families, and businesses facing the most complex immigration enforcement cases in America. He is the co-author of Immigrant, Inc.: Why Immigrant Entrepreneurs Are Driving the New Economy (available on Amazon) and a passionate advocate for the economic and social benefits of welcoming immigrants.

Through the Herman Legal Group – The Law Firm for Immigrants, Richard and his nationwide team provide legal defense and strategic guidance in:

·        ICE worksite investigations and raids

·        I-9 audits and employer compliance

·        Detention defense and bond hearings

·        Family reunification and humanitarian relief

Employers should conduct regular internal I-9 audits to ensure ongoing compliance with immigration laws.

·        I-9 audits and employer compliance

·        Detention defense and bond hearings

·        Family reunification and humanitarian relief

They know how to protect your rights, your workforce, and your business reputation while helping you navigate federal agencies effectively and safely. Maintaining a communication plan informs employees of their rights and prevents discrimination based on immigration status.

If you’ve been targeted — or fear you could be — don’t wait until agents arrive. Contact an experienced immigration attorney now.

📞 Call the Herman Legal Group at (800) 808-4013💻 Or schedule a confidential consultation at LawFirm4Immigrants.com/book-consultation

Herman Legal Group – The Law Firm for ImmigrantsTrusted for 30 years. Nationally recognized. Dedicated to defending your future and America’s immigrant communities.

MORE RESOURCES

Federal Enforcement, Oversight & Official Guidance

• ICE — Worksite Enforcement Program (overview of workplace investigations, audits, and raids) — ICE
• ICE — HSI Worksite Enforcement Investigations (how Homeland Security Investigations builds cases) — ICE
• ICE — IMAGE (Mutual Agreement Between Government and Employers) (voluntary employer compliance program) — ICE
• USCIS — I-9 Central (official hub for Form I-9 completion and verification) — USCIS
• USCIS — Handbook for Employers (M-274) (authoritative I-9 manual) — USCIS
• E-Verify (employment eligibility verification for participating employers) — E-Verify
• DOJ — Immigrant and Employee Rights (IER) Section (anti-discrimination in hiring, document abuse, retaliation) — DOJ
• DOL — Wage and Hour Division (Immigration-Related Protections) (pay, retaliation, H-1B/H-2 programs) — DOL
• OSHA — Worker Rights (safety/retaliation protections including for immigrant workers) — OSHA
• DHS — Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL) (complaints about civil rights/civil liberties violations) — DHS
• DHS — Office of Inspector General (OIG) (independent oversight; report misconduct) — DHS OIG
• DHS — Budget & Performance (enforcement spending trends and priorities) — DHS
• ICE — Budget & Planning (program and operations funding detail) — ICE

Employer Rights, Compliance & Rapid-Response Guides

• NILC — “What to Do if Immigration Comes to Your Workplace” (practical employer response guide) — NILC
• SHRM — Worksite Immigration Enforcement: Employer Readiness (HR-focused steps for audits/raids) — SHRM
• Littler — I-9 Compliance & Employer Strategy (legal analysis and preparedness checklists) — Littler
• Jackson Lewis — Immigration Compliance & Audits (policy updates and employer tools) — Jackson Lewis
• Morgan Lewis — ICE Enforcement Actions: Employer Rights & Obligations (what to do when agents arrive) — Morgan Lewis
• Ogletree Deakins — Employer I-9 & Worksite Enforcement Resources (risk mitigation guides) — Ogletree
• Fragomen — Preparing for ICE Worksite Enforcement (alerts and readiness guidance) — Fragomen
• Norton Rose Fulbright — Employer Guidance on ICE Actions (legal triage and planning) — Norton Rose Fulbright
• Harter Secrest & Emery — Employer Rights During Raids (entry warrants, consent, scope) — HSE Law

Employee & Worker Rights (Know-Your-Rights)

• NILC — Workplace Raids: Know Your Rights (workers’ rights during enforcement) — NILC
• ACLU — Immigration Enforcement: Know Your Rights (what to do if approached by agents) — ACLU
• United We Dream — Know Your Rights Toolkit (multilingual guides/cards for communities) — United We Dream
• NLRB — Employee Rights Under the NLRA (organizing, concerted activity protections) — NLRB
• EEOC — Immigrants and EEO Law (discrimination protections regardless of status) — EEOC
• OSHA — Whistleblower Protection (retaliation complaints for safety issues) — OSHA Whistleblower
• U.S. DOL — Retaliation & Wage Protections for Vulnerable Workers (complaints irrespective of status) — DOL

Economic, Labor Market & Immigration Data Hubs

• Migration Policy Institute — Migration Data Hub (deportations, workforce, demographics) — MPI
• MPI — Employment & the Economy (research on immigrant labor market outcomes) — MPI
• Economic Policy Institute — Immigration Research (labor, wages, enforcement impacts) — EPI
• Bureau of Labor Statistics — Foreign-Born Workers (annual workforce report and tables) — BLS
• USDA ERS — Farm Labor (agricultural labor supply, wages, and trends) — USDA ERS
• Congressional Budget Office — Immigration Topic (macroeconomic effects, fiscal impacts) — CBO
• DHS — Enforcement & Removal Statistics (arrests, removals, detention data) — DHS
• ICE — Enforcement & Removal Operations Data (program activity and outcomes) — ICE
• TRAC Immigration (Syracuse University) (court backlogs, prosecutions, detention) — TRAC
• Pew Research Center — Immigration & Migration (public opinion, demographics, trends) — Pew Research

Professional Associations, Policy Research & Advocacy

• AILA — American Immigration Lawyers Association (policy briefs, practice resources, attorney finder) — AILA
• American Immigration Council (legal research, impact litigation, data) — American Immigration Council
• Migration Policy Institute (nonpartisan analysis on immigration policy) — MPI
• Economic Policy Institute (labor-focused immigration research) — EPI
• National Immigration Law Center (low-income immigrant rights; policy & litigation) — NILC
• National Immigration Forum (workforce needs, integration, bipartisan policy) — National Immigration Forum
• New American Economy / American Immigration Council Research (economic contributions) — Research
• Brookings — Immigration (economic, legal, and policy analysis) — Brookings

Media Reporting Hubs (Enforcement & Worksite Coverage)

• Reuters — U.S. Immigration (national enforcement and policy developments) — Reuters
• Associated Press — Immigration (breaking news and investigations) — AP News
• NPR — Immigration (policy explainers and on-the-ground reporting) — NPR
• The New York Times — Immigration & Emigration (policy and enterprise reporting) — NYT
• The Wall Street Journal — Immigration (business impacts, enforcement) — WSJ

Pro Bono, Hotlines & Lawyer Locators

• AILA — Find an Immigration Lawyer (national directory of vetted attorneys) — AILA Lawyer Search
• ImmigrationLawHelp.org (nationwide directory of nonprofit immigration legal services) — ImmigrationLawHelp
• Freedom for Immigrants — National Immigration Detention Hotline (support for people in detention) — Freedom for Immigrants
• Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC) — Legal Services Directory (community-based legal aid providers) — CLINIC

State & Local Worker Protections (Examples to Model)

• California Labor Commissioner — Immigration Status Protections (retaliation and wage protections irrespective of status) — CA DIR
• New York State DOL — Immigrant Worker Protections (language access, retaliation protections) — NY DOL
• Illinois — Worker Protection Unit (AG) (labor exploitation and workplace rights) — Illinois AG
• Washington State L&I — Workplace Rights (wage, safety, retaliation resources) — WA L&I