"People are afraid..."

Just days into the White House's ICE raids across the country, attorney David Leopold tells 21 News that fear he's seeing among the immigrant community is palpable.

"This is not just people who are not citizens, these are citizens, US citizens," said Leopold.

Immigration lawyers like him have been flooded with calls and questions about what the future may hold.
Some of those conversations are unlike any he's ever seen.

"Companies...and this is something that didn't happen during Trump 1, companies, a number of them, big ones, small ones, medium size are reaching out - 'how can we protect our workplace, how can we protect our rights?'"

"We have resources to help families be prepared," says Vicki Vicars, VP of Engagement for Thrive Mahoning Valley. Thrive is among the local organizations providing those resources. OCCHA and the Dorothy Day House are others.

Much like the calls David Leopold has been getting, Vicars says most are calling Thrive from businesses and schools and organizations that employ documented immigrants.

"It's the innocent people that might be victims of profiling, or even undocumented immigrants who have been here for 30 and 40 years and have firm roots established," says Vicars.

She points out that the next steps depend largely on one's immigration status, and that they should have their Green Card, Passport, DACA ID or other materials ready. She urges everyone else to keep educated on the issues and follow the facts, not the rhetoric

"Language is important. Watch our language and how we're talking about actions and individuals."