As Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations have intensified across the United States, immigrants in the Austin area have begun avoiding medical clinics and other essential services out of fear, according to service providers and advocates. Paloma Ramos, a benefits coordinator at Casa Marianella, which provides shelter and supportive services to refugees and asylum seekers, said the shift began “at the start of 2025.” Historically, the benefits clinic had a line of people seeking assistance that “snaked past its entrance from open to close.” Now, she said, sometimes only “one or two people” come in a day.
Healthcare Access Declining
CommUnityCare, one of 1,400 health centers nationally serving uninsured or underinsured populations, operates clinics across Travis County serving low-income residents. Tara Trower, deputy CEO and chief strategy officer, said providers report that some patients say they are “afraid and they’re limiting their visits.” While the health system has expanded telehealth capabilities in recent years, not specifically in response to ICE concerns, Trower said the option has helped patients worried about enforcement. There was no indication that ICE has targeted CommUnityCare facilities, but Trower noted the possibility is “always a thought.”
Ripple Effects on Domestic Violence Reporting
For abuse victims, seeking help carries heightened risk. In January, Austin Police contacted ICE while responding to a domestic disturbance, resulting in the arrest and deportation of Honduran-born Karen Gutiérrez Castellanos and her 5-year-old daughter. Pierre Berastain, CEO of The SAFE Alliance, which serves abuse survivors, said this incident could have a chilling effect on women reporting domestic violence. “Members throughout the community have said, ‘Look … the mother and the child were deported right after reporting domestic violence. … If this happened when they were trying to get help, why would I call the police?’” Berastain said.
Surge in Legal Services Demand
At American Gateways, an immigration legal services nonprofit, client intake has surged since President Donald Trump took office in 2025. Edna Yang, co-executive director, said the increase reflected requests for services and “requests for just accurate information, people not knowing what to do, not knowing what their rights are.” The demand has yet to subside, and the nonprofit’s resources are being strained. Yang noted fear is “the constant in the communities that we serve.”
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://www.kut.org/health/2026-03-10/as-ice-activity-rises-immigrants-avoid-seeking-care-in-austin