The recent immigration enforcement raids across Los Angeles County have left a lasting emotional toll, especially in Latino-majority communities like East L.A. and Boyle Heights. Families are grappling with heightened anxiety, depression and isolation. Many avoid leaving their homes out of fear of encountering ICE agents.
Boyle Heights Beat conducted a community survey to better understand what residents needed most. More than 200 residents responded:
- 53% said the immigration raids were affecting their well-being
- 27% asked for more mental health support
In response, Boyle Heights Beat, part of the L.A. Local News Initiative, hosted a special event panel: “From Fear to Care: Navigating Mental Health Amid ICE Raids” on Wednesday, July 30, 2025. The conversation centered on mental health healing, resource sharing and culturally-grounded care.
Watch in English:
Moderated by Boyle Heights Beat Editor Jessica Perez, the panel featured trauma-informed therapists and cultural healers to unpack the toll of the raids on families, frontline responders and the community as a whole.
- Adriana Alejandre, a trauma therapist and founder of Latinx Therapy, a directory connecting Latinx therapists with those in search of culturally-oriented therapy services.
- Dr. Yanira Hernandez, a licensed clinical social worker and founder of Pa’lante Therapy, which provides trauma-informed and non-colonial healing in English and Spanish.
- Guillermo Ruiz Hernandez (Tata G), a P’urhépecha elder and founder of the Xangari Institute, a healing space rooted in Indigenous knowledge for BIPOC communities.
The panel was presented in partnership with L.A. TACO, CALÓ News and Los Angeles Public Press, all media partners of the L.A. Local News Initiative.
This story was originally published on July 22, 2025.