The Forum Daily | Tuesday, December 9, 2025https://www.forumtogether.org

As the administration’s immigration crackdown disrupts immigrant livelihoods, the larger American economy also could suffer, reports Lautaro Grinspan of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution [link removed]. 

For Ceudy Gutierrez, coming to the United States meant she and her family could afford a new life. However, when her husband was taken into Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody, she was left as the sole breadwinner and caretaker. 

Recent studies indicate that the economic struggles of families such as the Gutierrezes will spill over into the larger economy as families spend less. 

"Immigrants help increase wealth and prosperity for all Americans," said Nan Wu, director of research at the American Immigration Council, which released a study [link removed] earlier this year on just how much immigrants contribute. 

Elsewhere, as Border Patrol agents spread across the New Orleans area, local restaurants and food suppliers are feeling the impact, report Shannon Sims and Allison McCann of The New York Times [link removed]. 

Restaurant owners and other employers are seeing the fear their employees are experiencing impacting their day-to-day lives no matter their legal status. 

"They’re working legally, but they’re hunkered down and not coming to pick up their paychecks," says Amarys Koenig Herndon, a co-owner of Palm and Pine, an upscale restaurant in the city’s French Quarter. 

The service industry had anticipated challenges, as Jasmine Robinson reported last week in Verite News [link removed]. 

Welcome to Tuesday’s edition of The Forum Daily. I’m Dan Gordon, the Forum’s VP of Strategic Communications, and the great Forum Daily team also includes Masooma Amin, Jillian Clark, Nicci Mattey and Clara Villatoro. If you have a story to share from your own community, please send it to me at [email protected] mailto:[email protected]. 

**CALL FOR COMPASSION** — Sen. John Curtis (R-Utah) is making an appeal for immigration policies that uphold the rule of law while also considering human dignity, reports Cami Mondeaux of the Deseret News [link removed]. "I think we’re really struggling with compassion," Curtis said in an interview with CNN [link removed]. Additionally, Rep. María Elvira Salazar (R-Florida) condemned the administration’s pause on immigration applications for people from Cuba, Haiti, Venezuela and 16 other countries, reports Grethel Aguila of the Miami Herald [link removed]. 

**‘QUITE HELPLESS’** — Afghan nationals and advocates working with the community are unsure where to turn as the president’s actions in the wake of the tragic National Guard shooting make the path to safety more difficult, reports Rebecca Beitsch of The Hill [link removed]. Advocates say there is not much information they can give Afghan families looking for next steps because of the uncertainty of the situation. "There’s 265,000 people that were trying to come here. They are feeling quite helpless," said Shawn VanDiver, president of #AfghanEvac. Sune Engel Rasmussen of The Wall Street Journal [link removed] has more on these allies. 

**UNDERMINING PUBLIC SAFETY** — Experts continue to share concerns that deporting U visa applicants — victims of crime or abuse who are working with police — will discourage them from reporting crimes, reports Lauren Gilger of KJZZ [link removed]. Advocates say the policy shift allowing such deportations undermines public safety and the justice system. Kristin Fitzharris said her organization, Southern Arizona Legal Aid, is seeing fewer people willing to apply for the visas.  

**OFFERING COMFORT **— Lumpkin, Georgia, is home to the Stewart Detention Center, one of the largest such centers in the country. A small house nearby offers detainees' visitors some comfort, report Shannon Heffernan and Julieta Martinelli for The Marshall Project [link removed]. "El Refugio" provides families with beds and food while they visit detained loved ones and sends volunteers to visit detainees whose families cannot come. The work "is a reminder that ‘in the midst of everything, there is something you could do,’" said Executive Director Amilcar Valencia. 

Thanks for reading,  

Dan 

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