ICE fears reshape D.C. households — and turn employers into advocates

State of play: D.C. organizers for Hand in Hand, a national network of domestic employers, are hosting "Sanctuary Homes" trainings to teach practical ways to support immigrant domestic workers, from flexible schedules to emergency planning.

• The virtual and in-person sessions include "know your rights" basics, such as the difference between administrative and judicial warrants, which affects when ICE can legally enter a home.
• And they tackle thorny questions around pay, documentation and immigration status.

What they're saying: "It's about establishing safety and dignity for a worker, starting in the home," D.C. organizer Paola Henríquez tells Axios.

Between the lines: The trainings reflect a broader shift — employers taking a more active role in worker protections inside private homes, a largely unregulated workplace.

• Employers are "feeling prepared and ready to exercise those rights in their own home, and build more trust with workers," Henríquez says.

What's next: Hand in Hand plans to expand the type of training sessions, including a virtual session on May 7.

• Because many households share workers, they're encouraging small "kitchen table" networks to spread what employers learn.