We shouldn’t have to write this. But here we are…
At Intelligent DataWorks, our mission is to build tools that help small and mid-sized businesses do more with less – by simplifying complex HR processes through AI. Most of our content reflects that purpose: empowering organizations, optimizing hiring, and making work better for everyone.
But today’s post is different.
Like many growing companies, we rely on a diverse, talented, and hardworking team that includes student interns here legally on educational visas, and green card holders who’ve committed to building a life and career in this country. These individuals are not just part of our company – they are integral to it. They contribute ideas, solve problems, support development, and move us forward every day.
And yet, like thousands of others across the U.S., many of them now live with a heavy sense of unease.
In recent months, we’ve watched lawful residents – students and workers – be detained, deported, or held in remote facilities without warning. Some have had their visas canceled with no notice or recourse. Others have been pulled from their homes, jobs, or public spaces and transported to detention centers across the country. In certain cases, they’ve been deported to nations they don’t call home or even imprisoned abroad – all without due process or the ability to alert friends, family, or employers.
We’re not immigration lawyers or policy makers. But we are a company with a conscience. And we know we’re not alone. Many startups, established corporations, nonprofits, and research institutions alike rely on global talent — and now find themselves uncertain about how to protect the people who help build their business every day.
This post is about what we can do, now, as individuals, as employers, and as a community because silence isn’t an option.
Part 1: What Individuals Can Do to Prepare
For those living and working in the U.S. on visas or awaiting permanent residency, the current climate can feel unpredictable. While we recognize that no checklist can guarantee protection, there are steps individuals can take to prepare for the worst while hoping for the best.
First and foremost: have a plan. If you are in the U.S. on a visa, even if you are fully compliant with all immigration laws, you need to prepare as though you may be temporarily unreachable – because unfortunately, that has become a reality for many.
It starts with documentation. Keep copies of your legal paperwork (visa, I-94, work authorization, passport, etc.) in more than one location. Ensure a trusted friend or coworker has access to those documents if something happens.
Share your emergency contacts with someone at your workplace. This may include family members, a legal representative, or an immigration attorney. Provide clear instructions about who should be contacted and what steps to take if you go missing or are unreachable for an extended period.
Consider using apps or services that allow for automated check-ins, or that alert your chosen contacts if you don’t check in at expected intervals. In some cases, you may want to set up a digital “dead man’s switch” – a tool that sends a message or alert if you don’t interact with it within a set time frame.
If possible, identify legal support in advance. Many organizations provide free or low-cost legal services to immigrants and international students. Have their contact information written down and stored safely – don’t rely solely on your phone as that is one of the first things taken away if detained.
Most importantly, don’t isolate. Talk to your team. Let them know what you’re feeling. If your workplace is supportive (and we hope it is), they want to help. But they can’t help if they don’t know you’re worried. Be proactive and let them know your typical schedule. If you stop showing up for work and they can’t reach you – these people may be the first ones to alert your contact and raise a red flag.
Part 2: What Employers Can Do to Support Their Team
Businesses, startups, and nonprofit organizations often pride themselves on being close-knit. That closeness should extend to how we support our people in times of uncertainty.
Start by recognizing that this is a very real issue – not a hypothetical one. Don’t wait until someone disappears to begin caring. Ask yourself: do we know which of our employees or interns might be at risk? Do we have emergency contact information for them? Are we aware of their visa status – not to micromanage, but to prepare?
If not, this is the time to gently and respectfully open that door. Let your team know that you want to be part of their safety net, and that you’re willing to support them in being prepared.
Create space for these conversations to happen confidentially and compassionately. Your role is not to offer legal advice, but to be present, informed, and proactive.
You can also help by identifying trusted immigration lawyers or advocacy groups and sharing those resources with your team. If someone goes missing, knowing who to call and how to act can make a world of difference.
Additionally, businesses can advocate — quietly or publicly — on behalf of the people they employ. That might mean signing a petition, supporting local legislation, or simply sharing stories of the immigrant employees who help make your business run.
Beyond the immediate crisis response, think long-term. Make mental health resources available. Offer flexibility where possible. And remind your team – especially those far from home – that they are not alone.
Where We Go From Here
In the coming weeks, we’ll be exploring how to create a public resource hub for other SMBs and HR leaders navigating similar situations. We want to collect tools, templates, and legal support referrals that businesses can use to better protect their people and plan for the unknown.
We’ll also be looking to feature conversations with legal experts, immigrant workers, and other employers who are facing this challenge head-on.
Because here’s the hard truth: we can’t fix a broken system, but we can support the people caught in it. And maybe, just maybe, we can raise enough awareness to be part of a larger solution.
To our interns, contractors, colleagues, and employees: we see you. We value you. And we’re committed to doing everything we can to keep you safe, supported, and informed – because you’re more than just part of the team. You’re part of our story.
Keywords: immigration support in SMBs, HR response to visa concerns, employee detention preparedness, small business immigration help, legal visa rights in the workplace, AI and HR support, supporting international interns, green card employee protection, employer resources for immigration risk, HR tools for SMB resilience
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