Companies Add ICE Raid Preparedness to Extreme Weather, Violence Plans

Key Takeaways

• Since January 2025, ICE increased workplace raids nationwide with thousands of operations targeting all industries.
• Employers must maintain accurate I-9 forms, use E-Verify, have ICE raid response plans, and consult legal counsel.
• Over 100,000 people detained since 2025, including some U.S. citizens and residents wrongly caught in raids.

As of July 10, 2025, the United States 🇺🇸 has seen a sharp increase in workplace enforcement actions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under the Trump administration. This new wave of ICE raids has changed the way many companies think about risk management. Alongside plans for extreme weather and workplace violence, businesses are now preparing for the possibility of sudden ICE inspections. Here’s a detailed update on what has changed, who is affected, what actions are required, and what these developments mean for employers, workers, and pending immigration matters.

Summary of What Changed

Since President Trump resumed office in January 2025, ICE has launched a major enforcement surge targeting workplaces across the United States 🇺🇸. The number and intensity of ICE raids have increased, with thousands of operations reported nationwide in just the first half of the year. These actions are not limited to any one industry or region. Instead, they reflect a return to—and expansion of—the aggressive immigration enforcement policies seen during the 2017–2021 Trump administration, now with even greater use of technology and data analysis.

Who Is Affected

• Employers: All businesses, especially those in agriculture, construction, hospitality, and food processing, face increased scrutiny. However, no industry is completely safe from ICE attention.
• Workers: Both undocumented and documented employees are at risk. Over 100,000 people have been detained since January 2025, including some U.S. citizens and lawful residents mistakenly caught up in raids.
• Immigrant Communities: Families and communities with large immigrant populations are experiencing heightened fear and uncertainty.
• State and Local Governments: Cities and states, especially those with sanctuary policies, have seen increased federal enforcement and, in some cases, the deployment of National Guard and Marines.

Effective Dates

• The current surge in ICE raids began in January 2025 and is ongoing as of July 10, 2025.
• There is no announced end date, and enforcement is expected to remain high throughout the year.

Required Actions for Employers

Given the current environment, employers must take immediate and ongoing steps to reduce legal risks and protect their operations. Here’s what companies should do:

1. Maintain Accurate I-9 Records

• I-9 Form Compliance: Employers must keep up-to-date and accurate Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, for every employee. This form proves that workers are authorized to work in the United States 🇺🇸. The official Form I-9 and instructions are available on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website.
• Internal Audits: Regularly review and audit I-9 forms to catch and correct errors before an ICE inspection.

2. Use E-Verify Proactively

• E-Verify: This is an online system that checks employee information against government records to confirm work eligibility. While not required for all employers, using E-Verify can show good faith compliance if ICE investigates.

3. Develop an ICE Raid Response Plan

• Written Playbook: Create a step-by-step plan for what to do if ICE agents arrive. This should include:
  • Who will interact with ICE agents
  • How to verify warrants
  • Which areas of the workplace ICE can access
  • How to communicate with employees during and after a raid

4. Train Staff and Designate a Company Representative

• Staff Training: Make sure managers and front-line staff know what to do if ICE arrives. Only trained representatives should speak with ICE agents.
• Know Your Rights: Employers have the right to ask ICE for a warrant before allowing access to non-public areas. They can also limit the scope of ICE’s search to what is specified in the warrant.

5. Respond Quickly to Notices of Inspection (NOIs)

• Short Deadlines: ICE often gives only three days to provide I-9 forms and related documents after issuing a Notice of Inspection. Be ready to respond quickly to avoid penalties.

6. Consult Legal Counsel

• Legal Support: Work with attorneys or compliance consultants who specialize in immigration law. They can help prepare for audits, respond to raids, and handle any legal fallout.

7. Communicate with Employees

• Post-Raid Protocols: After a raid, stabilize operations and provide clear information to employees. Offer support and connect affected workers with legal resources.

Implications for Pending Applications and Ongoing Operations

The current ICE enforcement surge has several important effects on both pending immigration applications and day-to-day business operations:

• Delays and Disruptions: Raids can halt production, disrupt schedules, and create confusion among staff. This can lead to missed deadlines for immigration filings or other business obligations.
• Legal Risks: Employers found to have knowingly hired unauthorized workers face criminal charges under 8 U.S.C. §1324(a)(3)(A), with penalties including fines and up to five years in prison. Even unintentional mistakes, such as incomplete I-9 forms, can result in costly fines.
• Employee Morale: Fear of raids can lower morale and productivity, especially in industries with large immigrant workforces.
• Mistaken Detentions: Some U.S. citizens and lawful residents have been wrongly detained during raids, highlighting the need for careful review and legal support.
• Community Impact: Families may be separated, and communities may lose access to essential workers, especially in sectors like agriculture and food processing.

What Employers Should Do Now

To protect their businesses and employees, employers should take the following steps immediately:

• Review and update all I-9 forms for current and past employees.
• Conduct an internal audit of hiring and verification practices.
• Implement or update an ICE raid response plan and train staff accordingly.
• Establish a relationship with an immigration attorney or compliance expert.
• Communicate clearly with employees about their rights and what to expect if ICE visits the workplace.
• Monitor official government updates on immigration enforcement and workplace compliance. The ICE Worksite Enforcement page provides current information and resources.

Historical and Policy Context

The current enforcement surge is not happening in a vacuum. It builds on policies from President Trump’s earlier term (2017–2021), which saw a sharp rise in workplace audits and high-profile raids, such as the 2018 Tennessee meatpacking plant operation. The Trump administration’s approach focuses on deterring unauthorized employment through strict enforcement and publicized raids.

What’s different in 2025 is the use of advanced technology. ICE now uses data analytics to cross-check employment records, E-Verify results, and tax filings. This makes it easier for ICE to identify businesses that may be employing unauthorized workers, even if those businesses have never been raided before.

Separation from Labor Standards Enforcement

It’s important to note that ICE raids focus only on immigration law. They do not address other workplace issues like wage theft or unsafe working conditions. These problems are handled by different agencies, which often lack the resources to investigate. As a result, some workers may be deported before they can report labor abuses, and some employers may avoid accountability for non-immigration violations.

Stakeholder Perspectives

• ICE and DHS: Officials say the goal is to enforce immigration laws and deter unauthorized employment. The Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) division leads these efforts.
• Employers: Many businesses feel caught in the middle, trying to comply with complex laws while maintaining a stable workforce. Legal and compliance services are in high demand.
• Workers and Advocates: Immigrant communities are worried about wrongful detentions and lack of access to legal help. Advocacy groups are stepping up efforts to educate and support affected workers.
• State and Local Governments: Some states and cities, especially those with sanctuary policies, have protested the raids. In some cases, federal forces have been deployed to enforce immigration laws, leading to tensions between local and federal authorities.

Practical Guidance for Workers

If you are a worker, especially in a high-risk industry or area, here are some steps you can take:

• Know Your Rights: You have the right to remain silent and to ask for a lawyer. You do not have to sign any documents without legal advice.
• Keep Important Documents Safe: Store copies of work permits, green cards, or other legal papers in a secure place.
• Connect with Community Organizations: Groups like CAIR-WA and other local organizations offer updates and legal guidance for immigrant communities.
• Stay Informed: Follow trusted news sources and official updates to know about changes in enforcement or your rights.

Legal and Compliance Resources

Several organizations and law firms now offer specialized services to help employers and workers deal with ICE raids and compliance risks:

• EMP Trust Solutions: Provides compliance tools and audit readiness services.
• Epstein Becker Green: Offers legal guidance and podcasts on ICE raid preparation.
• Hanson Bridgett LLP: Publishes legal alerts and employer guidance on interacting with ICE.
• Ballard Spahr LLP: Provides toolkits on employer liabilities and compliance during ICE raids.
• Sheppard Mullin: Offers legal advice on responding to ICE enforcement actions.
• Community Organizations: CAIR-WA and others provide updates and support for immigrant communities.

Future Outlook

Looking ahead, ICE enforcement is expected to stay high throughout 2025. Employers should expect continued scrutiny, more audits, and ongoing raids. Policy debates and legal challenges are likely to grow, especially around the limits of ICE authority, worker protections, and employer responsibilities.

Community organizations and legal aid groups are increasing their efforts to educate both workers and employers. This includes workshops, legal clinics, and distribution of know-your-rights materials.

Implications for Pending Immigration Applications

If you or your employees have pending immigration applications, be aware that ICE raids can cause delays and complications. Detention or deportation during the application process can halt or cancel cases. It’s important to:

• Keep copies of all application receipts and notices
• Inform your attorney immediately if you or an employee is detained
• Stay in contact with the agency handling your case

Key Takeaways and Next Steps

• ICE raids are now a major risk for all U.S. 🇺🇸 employers, not just those in traditional high-risk industries.
• Employers must maintain accurate I-9 records, use E-Verify, and have a clear ICE raid response plan.
• Legal counsel and compliance services are more important than ever.
• Workers should know their rights and connect with community organizations for support.
• Pending immigration applications may be affected by enforcement actions, so keep all documentation and legal contacts up to date.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, the current enforcement climate demands that both employers and workers stay alert, informed, and prepared. For the latest official guidance and resources, visit the ICE Worksite Enforcement page.

By taking these steps, businesses and workers can better protect themselves in this challenging environment shaped by increased ICE raids, the Trump administration’s policies, and ongoing concerns about workplace violence and other risks.

Learn Today

ICE → U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, enforcing immigration laws and conducting workplace raids.
I-9 Form → Document verifying an employee’s eligibility to work legally in the United States.
E-Verify → Online government system confirming workers’ eligibility to work in the U.S.
Notice of Inspection → Official notification from ICE requesting employment verification documents and records.
HSI → Homeland Security Investigations division of ICE, leading immigration enforcement efforts.

This Article in a Nutshell

The U.S. faces a surge in ICE workplace raids under Trump since January 2025. Businesses must quickly strengthen I-9 compliance, prepare ICE response plans, and safeguard workers’ rights amid increased detentions and disruptions. Legal guidance is essential to navigate this escalating enforcement and protect operations throughout 2025.
— By VisaVerge.com