How Destination Madison Supported Its Workforce Through Immigration Uncertainty

Destination Madison partnered with Downtown Madison, Inc. and Madison’s Central BID to address member concerns about immigration and potential ICE raids. Based on feedback, we hosted a secure, invitation-only webinar on immigration rights, strategies for handling unannounced ICE appearances, and key community resources. The partner organizations helped shape the theme of the panel and invited their memberships to attend as guests.  

The panel included the Dane County Immigration Affairs supervisor, the Executive Director of Centro Hispano, and a leading immigration attorney. The session provided attendees with the option to remain anonymous, creating a safe space for them to share concerns and gather actionable insights.

Dane County Immigration Affairs official Fabiola Hamdan discussed the importance of accessing accurate information through official channels to ensure reliability and reduce the spread of misinformation found on social media. She also outlined actionable steps employers could take regarding work permits, legal filings, and compliance.  

Immigration attorney Jennifer Johnson gave practical advice for businesses to prepare lawful responses for ICE interactions. She suggested assigning an ICE liaison within businesses, establishing clear consent protocols, crafting effective front-line communication strategies, and connecting businesses with immigration attorneys.  

Centro Hispano’s executive director Karen Menedez Coller focused on the worker resources offered by the organization for employees, families, and community members. She emphasized the inclusive nature of their services for families and individuals. And she provided a guideline for how to access their resources online and in-person. 

Collaboration across local organizations amplifies impact. Many small businesses lack the capacity to address complex issues like immigration on their own. Providing vetted, local resources strengthens Destination Madison’s reputation as a trusted community leader and deepens engagement beyond traditional “heads in beds” metrics.

“The panel was a reminder for me of how important it is to elevate this relationship at this time. In many ways through Destination Madison, we are bridging community - yes, the business sector but also the families who are the backbone of the business sector.” - Karen Menendez Coller, Executive Director, Centro Hispano.

In subsequent meetings with local elected officials, Destination Madison has pointed to the webinar as an example of how our work goes beyond tourism and into the very fabric of our community. As a result, several elected officials have expressed interest in collaborating with Destination Madison on helping to build and strengthen the hospitality workforce.