January 2025

Nicasa Behavioral Health Services voices our deepest concern in regard to recent immigration raids and mass deportation efforts as they affect both our undocumented and documented communities. We do not support or condone any instances of fearmongering, misinformation, hate, racism, stereotypes, and/or inflammatory and xenophobic political rhetoric against these individuals, families, and their allies. We recognize that this is part of a larger system against all immigrants, particularly those who comprise communities of color, and we are committed to standing up with the immigrant community in support of their identity, culture, belonging, respect, safety, and well-being. We also know that silence is complicit in these actions, and we want the community to know we are a safe space in which anyone can be served and receive help.

As a trusted provider among the immigrant community, especially the Latino and Spanish-speaking populations, Nicasa Behavioral Health Services will ensure the provision of bilingual and bicultural care to those in need throughout Lake County. Our staff will continue to provide bilingual and bicultural counseling and assist in connecting people with resources so they can learn about their rights, build upon their strengths, and work towards rebuilding their trust.

For those who are afraid to continue their treatment, are not ready to seek help, or are afraid to leave their homes, we encourage you to contact Nicasa Behavioral Health Services for virtual services. We encourage you to learn about your rights and how to protect yourself and reach out to your family and friends for support, to not isolate yourself or remain alone, and talk to children about ways that the community is working to keep them safe and connected with their families and focus on small, daily tasks.

For any instances of overwhelming symptoms, contact local crisis hotlines, 988 (call, chat, or text), 211 (call or text your zip code to 898211), call the 24/7 Crisis Line of Lake County 847-377-8088, call 911 or visit your nearest emergency room/urgent care center.

We practice and encourage everyone to denounce anti-immigrant actions and behaviors by:

• Learning how individuals and organizations can protect immigrant rights and share information;
• Standing up against anti-immigrant attacks, both physical and verbal;
• Including everyone’s voices and views in a safe and constructive manner;
• Creating communities of hope that are based on love, inclusion, and mutual support; and
• Taking concrete actions by reporting anti-immigrant incidents, checking in on friends, family, and co-workers, extending compassion and grace to others, and continuing open and positive conversations to work towards systemic change.

We know these difficult times affect the mental health and well-being of our communities. We must come together as a collective purpose to help those who need it most and to fight against the unjust systems that plague the individuals and families we serve, and our communities. In these times of crisis, Nicasa Behavioral Health Services encourages everyone to come together and build strong communities. Take time out of your day and check in on your co-workers, friends, family, and neighbors. Engage in educational, constructive, and respectful conversations about what is happening in our society. Offer trust and an open space so that all may feel safe and everyone has the freedom to thrive in their own skin and identities. We encourage you to join us and stand in solidarity with our immigrant, Latinx, indigenous, AAPI, African American, and LGBTQIAA+ communities.

Resources: 

• Illinois Immigration Information https://www.illinoisimmigrationinfo.org/
• Mano a Mano Family Resource Center – Know Your Rights and Rapid Response https://mamfrc.org/rapid-response/
• Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights https://www.icirr.org/resources
• Centro de Información https://centrodeinformacion.org
• The Resurrection Project Immigrant Justice has Printable Know Your Rights Cards, Handouts, Trainings https://www.trpimmigrantjustice.org/resourcehub
• DHS New Americans Initiative Referral List https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1R3mcryL3Ktn2YSWpD6DinoXy2Sxs64fo/edit?amp%3Bouid=115757219686162401278&amp%3Brtpof=true&amp%3Bsd=true&gid=1820221193#gid=1820221193
• Organized Communities Against Deportations. They are a group of undocumented, unapologetic, and unafraid organizers building a resistance movement against deportations and the criminalization of immigrants and people of color in Chicago and surrounding areas. https://www.organizedcommunities.org
• National Immigrant Justice Center https://immigrantjustice.org
• Palenque LSNA is a catalyst for Black, Brown, Indigenous, and Immigrant communities and allies to take care of one another and take strategic action for systemic change and a just, resilient, and joyful future. https://www.palenquelsna.org/immigration
• Enlace Chicago convenes, organizes, and builds the capacity of Little Village stakeholders to confront systemic inequities and barriers to economic and social access. https://www.enlacechicago.org
• To get a passport card – https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/need-passport/card.html
• Online Detainee Locator System: https://locator.ice.gov/odls/#/search