Residents urge DuPage County to form ad hoc response as ICE enforcement prompts calls for mental-health, legal and outreach supports

Public comment at the DuPage County Board’s Sept. 23 meeting was dominated by calls for a county-led response after multiple speakers described recent immigration-enforcement activity they say has traumatized families, driven people from public programs and hurt local businesses.

“Trauma-informed counseling and clear referral pathways reduce long-term harm,” Ruby Cesaris told the board, urging the formation of an ad hoc committee of county officials, health experts and community partners to coordinate mental-health response, service protection and economic stabilization. Multiple speakers described volunteers patrolling neighborhoods, limited local resources and widespread fear that keeps people from seeking services or going to work.

Several speakers linked the effects of enforcement to public-health outcomes. Dr. Lily Burciaga, president and founder of Alliance of Latinos Motivating Action in the Suburbs (ADONAS) and a licensed clinical professional…