Updated (Feb. 13): This story has been updated to include additional events, including a Legal and Clinic Day on Feb. 15, sponsored by Denver Health and other organizations, as well as a separate Know Your Rights event in Denver.
Editor’s note: In interviews conducted in Spanish, quotes are published in their original language to maintain the integrity of the conversations, followed by an English translation.
Concerns over immigration enforcement and deportations have resurfaced in Colorado’s immigrant communities after Trump executive orders expanded ICE’s powers. Reports of arrests in homes, workplaces and courthouses — along with the rollback of protections for “sensitive locations” like schools and hospitals — have fueled fear and uncertainty. Misinformation on social media has only heightened the panic.
“There has been a lot of activity with the new presidential administration, and they are using language that is clearly meant to cause fear and concern for families about what will happen next,” said attorney Violeta Chapin, a law professor and immigration rights expert at the University of Colorado Boulder.
“The goal of this rhetoric is to make people panic, but the best thing I can tell people is to stay informed and avoid unnecessary fear,” she added. “Learn what is actually happening, understand your rights, and don’t act based on rumors.”
For many, the fear is already affecting daily life. Here’s what you need to know — and how to help.
When fear hits home: Helping families navigate immigration uncertainty
A Boulder mother, who asked to remain anonymous for safety reasons, described a heartbreaking moment with her young son after school.
“Mi hijo llegó a casa casi llorando. Me abrazó y me dijo: ‘Mamá, si ICE te lleva a ti y a papá, mi mejor amigo dice que puedo vivir con su familia y que seremos como hermanos’,” dijo ella. “No supe qué decir. Tenía que ser fuerte para él, pero por dentro me sentí con el corazón destrozado.”
English translation:
“My son came home almost crying. He hugged me and said, ‘Mom, if ICE takes you and Dad away, my best friend says I can live with his family and we’ll be like brothers,’” she said. “I didn’t know what to say. I had to be strong for him, but inside, I felt heartbroken.”
Many families feel powerless in the face of changing policies. Advocates and legal experts say it is essential for families to understand their rights and avoid acting on rumors. Being prepared can make all the difference.
What to do if ICE shows up
One of the most common fears is the possibility of an ICE raid at home. Chapin said families have legal protections in such situations:
“ICE agents often show up with administrative warrants, which are not signed by a judge. These do not give them the right to enter a private home,” she said. “People have the right to see the warrant and refuse entry if it is not a judicially signed warrant.”
From the ACLU’s Know Your Rights — If ICE arrives at your home:
- Do not open the door unless ICE presents a warrant signed by a judge.
- Ask to see the warrant — it can be viewed through a window or slid under the door.
- You have the right to remain silent — you are not required to answer questions about your immigration status.
- Do not sign anything without consulting an attorney.
If ICE stops you in public:
- You have the right to remain silent.
- You do not have to answer questions about where you were born or how you entered the country.
- You do not have to show ID unless required by state law.
- Ask if you are free to leave — if the officer says yes, walk away calmly.
- If detained, request a lawyer immediately and avoid signing anything.
If ICE raids your workplace:
- Employers are not required to let ICE into private areas without a valid judicial warrant.
- Employees have the right to remain silent.
- Do not run — this could be used against you.
What’s changed: Shifting policies raise new concerns
For years, immigration enforcement guidelines discouraged ICE agents from conducting operations at schools, churches and hospitals — “sensitive locations.” That policy has now been rescinded.
“Meaning that, theoretically, ICE agents can show up at schools,” Chapin said. “This has raised serious concerns in our community.”
Advocates worry this fear could prevent people from seeking medical care, attending school events or calling law enforcement when needed.
Chapin stressed that in Colorado, state laws limit local police from cooperating with ICE.
“There is a difference between immigration enforcement and local law enforcement. In Colorado, we have laws that prevent state and local police from inquiring about immigration status,” she said. “People need to know that calling the police for help should not put them at risk of deportation.”
However, misinformation continues to spread, making many fearful of engaging with authorities — even when they have done nothing wrong.
“Me pone muy triste escuchar eso. La gente tiene miedo, incluso quienes tienen documentos, porque sienten que si su piel es más oscura o si caminan en ciertos lugares, pueden ser detenidos,” dijo Chapin.
English translation:
“It makes me very sad to hear that. People are afraid, even those who have legal documents, because they feel that if their skin is darker or if they walk in certain areas, they could be detained,” Chapin said.
Chapin also acknowledged the deep-rooted fears many immigrants have about law enforcement.
“Nosotros todavía tenemos una relación muy complicada con la policía. Pero al mismo tiempo, también hay policías que nos protegen y que necesitamos. Entiendo el miedo de la comunidad inmigrante, pero debemos recordar que el miedo no puede paralizarnos,” dijo ella.
English translation:
“We still have a very complicated relationship with the police. But at the same time, there are officers who protect us and whom we need. I understand the fear in the immigrant community, but we must remember that fear cannot paralyze us,” she said.
Access to legal support remains a challenge
One of the biggest hurdles for undocumented immigrants facing legal challenges is finding affordable representation.
“We don’t have public defenders for immigrants in this country,” Chapin said. “Legal help is often limited to what people can afford, which leaves many without representation.”
She encouraged families to seek out community-based legal resources and, if possible, to prepare a power of attorney for their children in case of an emergency.
Local immigration legal resources:
- Immigration Defense Clinic at Colorado Law – Free legal representation for noncitizen clients, run by Chapin.
- Immigrant Legal Center of Boulder County – Family-based immigration assistance and document translation. (immigrationadvocates.org)
- Battan Alpert Hutchings LLP – Specializes in visas, green cards and asylum applications.
- Murad Immigration Law – Focuses on deportation defense, humanitarian relief and family-based petitions. (muradimmigration.com)
- Maris Immigration Law – Represents clients before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), ICE and immigration courts.
- Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network (RMIAN) – Previously offered pro bono legal representation for detained immigrants but is currently under a stop-work order.
- McKinley Law Group, LLC – Offers Spanish, English and Chinese legal guidance to help clients navigate complex cases.
Read: DACA uncertainty and ICE crackdowns leave CU Boulder’s undocumented students in limbo
Community conversation on immigration and allyship
For those seeking more information and guidance, Chapin, who directs the Immigration Clinic at the CU Law School, will host a Feb. 14 community conversation titled “Immigration, Allyship, and the Road Ahead.“ The discussion will cover recent executive orders, asylum policies and sanctuary cities, as well as how community members can help. Register here.
“It’s important to stay informed, connected and calm,” she said. “We can’t control everything, but we can prepare for different scenarios and make sure we know our rights. The more we support each other, the stronger we are as a community.”
Other events include a Legal and Clinic Day on Feb. 15, sponsored by Denver Health and other organizations, as well as a separate Know Your Rights event in Denver.
For the Boulder mother whose son feared losing his family, the uncertainty remains overwhelming.
“Tratamos de no hablar de eso frente a los niños,” dijo. “Pero ellos ven todo. Escuchan cosas en la escuela. ¿Cómo le explicas a un niño que no sabes qué va a pasar?”
Luego agregó: “Si sucede, nos iremos de regreso y solo los veremos crecer lejos de nosotros. ¿Qué más podemos hacer?”
English translation:
“We try not to talk about it in front of the kids,” she said. “But they see everything. They hear things at school. How do you explain to a child that you don’t know what will happen?”
She added, “If it happens, we will go back and just see them growing away from us. What else can we do?”