How Deportation Fears Are Impacting Mental Health Among Workers in Colorado’s Resort Towns

When Adolfo Román García-Ramírez leaves his job at a grocery store in Silverthorne, Colorado, his mind drifts back to childhood tales from Nicaragua. He remembers adults warning kids about the "Mona Bruja," or "Monkey Witch," a creature that lurks in the dark. Today, García-Ramírez’s fears are different. Now, he worries about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

"Every time I walk down the street, I think about ICE," García-Ramírez, 57, said in Spanish. "You never know when a vehicle might pull up, and they’ll ask for your papers."

He’s lived in Silverthorne for two years, after being released from prison in Nicaragua as part of a deal to resettle over 200 political prisoners in the U.S. under a temporary humanitarian program. Sadly, that program expired in February, leaving him vulnerable to deportation. He had lost his Nicaraguan citizenship upon arriving in the U.S. and is still waiting on an asylum application submitted over a year ago.

“I can’t say I feel safe right now,” he said. “It’s a constant state of stress.”

Although Silverthorne is near popular ski resorts like Breckenridge and Vail, life for those who work in tourism can be tough. The communities here deal with high rates of suicide and substance abuse, largely due to the stress of irregular incomes.

Latino residents are especially affected. A recent survey revealed that over 80% of Latinos in the Western Slope region are seriously concerned about substance use—significantly more than in other parts of Colorado. Mental health issues have also spiked among Latinos, with more than 75% acknowledging it as a serious problem in 2023, compared to less than half in 2020. Barriers like language, stigma, and socioeconomic challenges complicate access to care.

Dr. Asad Asad, a sociology professor at Stanford, explained, "Many immigrant workers don’t get regular medical care. Long hours prevent them from focusing on health."

The political environment has only added to the anxiety. While some areas haven’t seen immigration raids, fear still looms. In Routt County, a few people were detained, causing unrest among the Latino community. Social media rumors about ICE further exacerbate these fears.

Yirka Díaz Platt, a social worker from Peru, noted how this climate of fear has pushed many Latinos into hiding. They avoid applying for services that require sharing personal information and have canceled meetings. Workers even held a nationwide "day without immigrants," showing how deep this fear runs.

Juana Amaya, a seasoned house cleaner from Honduras, is well-acquainted with resilience. She highlights the difficulty many Latinos face when it comes to mental health. “We don’t like admitting when we’re stressed,” she said. This reluctance to talk about mental health may stem from cultural backgrounds where such discussions are taboo.

Asad’s research supports this, showing that fears about deportation affect not only noncitizens but also U.S.-born Latinos. His study found that the stress of a parent’s immigration status can deeply impact their children’s education and well-being.

Despite these challenges, many in the Latino community are finding ways to come together. Local organizations offer support and mental health workshops. Vail Health is set to open a new inpatient psychiatric facility, aiming to provide better care options.

García-Ramírez continues to navigate his new life, one day at a time. “If they deport me, I’d go right back to Nicaragua,” he said. “I don’t think I’d survive for even a day there."

Each evening, he makes his way home, focusing on the ground beneath his feet. “Rain, shine, or snow, I walk,” he said, illustrating both his resilience and the heavy burden he carries in a land that feels both familiar and foreign.

For a deeper dive into the mental health issues facing immigrant communities, see this comprehensive report from the Kaiser Family Foundation.

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Mental Health, Children, Research, Stress, Walking