When Ice Knocks: Immigration Enforcement In The New Administration
By Kurt R. Erskine, J.D.
Jeffrey S. Bell, J.D.
Polsinelli, PC
Since President Trump’s inauguration, the administration has underscored its commitment to prioritizing immigration enforcement. This shift includes an increase in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) raids and the rescission of previous policies that restricted federal immigration authorities from conducting enforcement actions in sensitive
locations such as schools, churches, and hospitals. Given the new enforcement landscape, it is crucial for employers to be prepared for potential ICE raids or other immigration audits.
Preparing for an ICE Raid
An ICE raid is an unannounced operation conducted by ICE agents at businesses or homes to apprehend individuals suspected of violating federal immigration law. During a raid, ICE agents may question individuals present and detain or arrest specific persons. However, their authority to search private space is limited without a judicial warrant.
Specifically, ICE agents can enter public areas of a business, such as parking lots or lobbies, without restriction. However, they cannot access nonpublic areas without consent or a valid judicial warrant. A judicial warrant, issued by a federal or state court and signed by a judge, specifies
the search’s scope and location. Employees must allow access to areas specified in the warrant but can refuse entry to nonpublic areas beyond the warrant’s authorizing scope.
In contrast, an administrative warrant, which is not issued by a judge, does not authorize ICE agents to enter private spaces without permission. It directs law enforcement to arrest or detain specific individuals suspected of immigration violations but does not impose a legal duty to comply with ICE demands.
If ICE agents present a warrant, company management should request a copy, verify its type and validity, and proceed accordingly. Legal counsel should be contacted immediately if there is any doubt about the warrant
or its validity. It is also important not to interfere with ICE officers or impede their investigation in any way, as obstructing an investigation may result in significant criminal and civil sanctions.
To prepare for a potential enforcement action, employees should be trained on how to interact with ICE agents and who to contact if agents arrive. Employees should be counseled on their rights during an enforcement action. Employers should designate a point of contact knowledgeable about employers’ rights and trained to communicate with agents and legal counsel. Nonpublic areas should be
see Legal Matters ...page 13
Mental Health
TMS: How Specialized Magnets Relieve Medication-Resistant Depression
By Naveed Khokhar, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, UT Southwestern Medical Center
Brain imaging – taking pictures of brain tissue – was invented in the 1890s. Imaging technology started becoming readily available to clinicians and researchers in the 1970s. With the ability to better visualize the brain, doctors began using imaging methods to study chronic mental health conditions such as unipolar depression (major depressive disorder, or MDD), bipolar affective disorder, schizophrenia, and cognitive disorders.
Since then, a brain imaging revolution has swept the field of psychiatry, steering away from solely observation-based diagnoses and toward imaging-guided treatment plans. Sophisticated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) imaging helped us better understand brain
anatomy. Further advances in brain imaging, such as functional MRI, positron emission tomography (PET) scans, and single-photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) scans, have helped us understand the etiology of psychiatric illnesses better, leading to novel, noninvasive interventions in psychiatry.
These evolving interventions are rapidly becoming the standard of care for treatment-resistant depression –when antidepressants don’t adequately control symptoms – which affects about 30%-40% of people with depression. In addition, neuromodulation is being used with targeted stimulation, such as electric or magnetic pulses, to modify the activity of specific neurons (nerve cells) that are interconnected in the brain’s complex circuits. Modifying activity in certain circuits allows normalization of activities in other brain regions, leading to improvement in mood, anxiety, and thinking.
One of the latest neuro-
modulation therapies available at UTSW’s Peter O’Donnell Jr. Brain Institute is transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). This therapy uses external magnets and coils to depolarize affected neurons, “resetting” the connected networks to restore normal function.
TMS was approved by the Food
and Drug Administration in 2008 for MDD, and subsequently for other conditions including obsessive-compulsive disorder, addiction, and migraine with aura. It is currently under study for post-traumatic stress disorder. It
Oncology Research
Spending Time in the Great Outdoors When You Have Cancer
By L. Andy Chen, M.D., Ph.D., Texas Oncology
Think about the last time you were outdoors. Did you feel happier, calmer, a sense of peace? Studies have shown being outside can benefit your health and wellbeing, offering opportunities for physical activity while also reducing stress and improving mental health.
For cancer patients, a compromised immune system often requires them to be more cautious of activities that may expose them to a lot of people or possible infections. For many, that results in staying at home and limiting time spent with others, which can lead
to feelings of isolation and depression.
However, spending time outside can be a safe option. Feeling the sun on your skin, appreciating local plants or animals, or just taking a few deep breaths of fresh air may provide a brief and comforting escape from the daily stresses of cancer for both patients and caregivers.
Benefits of Spending Time Outside
Research has shown that spending time outdoors reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety and improves your mood, boosting feelings of happiness and well-being. One study found that being in or viewing nature reduces anger, fear, and stress while increasing pleasant feelings. Exposure to nature enhances emotional wellbeing and benefits physical health by lowering blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension, and stress hormone production.
With feelings of stress being
common among cancer patients, adding time outside can be beneficial in helping patients cope with a cancer diagnosis or while going through treatment. According to the National Recreation and Park Association, as little as 20 minutes a day spent outdoors can reduce stress.
Other notable benefits of spending time outside include:
• Better breathing
• Improved sleep
• Motivation to exercise
• Escape from over stimulating technology and sounds
• Boosted immunity
Outdoor Activities Suitable for Cancer Patients
Adding outdoor time doesn’t require hours of commitment or energy. Activities may vary based on treatments, side effects, and how patients feel on any given day. Sometimes just a few minutes outside each day is all that is needed to improve one’s mood. Simple activities may include visiting a park, sitting on your porch, or watching an outdoor game. But if you have capacity for more, exercise and gardening are
see Oncology ...page 13
Healthy Heart
Two Houston Changemakers Triumph in Competition to Reverse Cardiovascular Disease Statistics
Amy Doherty & Grace Dutko Named the American Heart Association 2024 Woman of Impact & Teen Of Impact Winners
By The American Heart Association
Aheart survivor and catering manager from Seabrook is the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women Houston 2025 Woman of Impact Winner, while a fellow heart survivor from Second Baptist High School has been named the city’s Teen of Impact™ Winner. Their high-impact fundraising efforts, powerful personal stories, and commitment to improving health outcomes in the Houston community earned Amy Doherty of Robinette & Company Caterers and Grace Dutko of Second Baptist High School their respective titles.
The Woman of Impact™ and Teen of Impact™ initiatives are integral to the American Heart Association’s mission to advance health equity and create a world of longer, healthier lives. While Woman of Impact focuses on
empowering women and elevating heart health awareness through the Go Red for Women movement, Teen of Impact cultivates leadership and health advocacy in the next generation.
“Thanks to the efforts of changemakers like Amy and Grace— and all of our incredible nominees— we’re taking meaningful steps to eliminate heart disease and stroke in the Gulf Coast and Houston,” said Kellie Armstrong, Executive Director of Development and Community Health for the American Heart Association, Houston-Gulf Coast. “Together, we are funding lifesaving research, educating communities, and empowering women and teens to take action for their health and futures. Their work is helping to ensure that more families stay together, and more lives are saved.”
Over the course of nine weeks, Doherty and Dutko competed alongside
their peers to raise critical funds and awareness to support heart health education and community engagement. Doherty participated in educational events and outreach for Go Red for Women, a global initiative created over two decades ago to shine a light on women’s heart health disparities and drive change. At the same time, Dutko led community efforts and fundraising in support of youth heart health and equitable access to care for all Houstonians.
Together, Amy and Grace raised
more than $100,000 and led efforts around hands-only CPR education, health advocacy, food security, and maternal health. Their passion and leadership demonstrate how individual stories, and action can lead to collective impact.
The 2025 Woman of Impact and Teen of Impact campaigns launched in over 150 cities nationwide on National Wear Red Day, February 7. In Houston, thirteen community leaders and teens
Amy Doherty & Grace Dutko
Houston Methodist Nurses Help Drive Initiative to Reclassify Penicillin Allergies at the Bedside
Collaboration Across Hospital System Optimizes Antibiotic Use to Improve Patient Care
Houston Methodist nurses are using an adapted screening tool at the bedside to assess whether patients have true penicillin allergies, thus enabling their care teams to offer them the most appropriate antibiotics without delay. This ‘delabeling’ initiative, which encompasses several specialties across Houston Methodist hospitals, gives patients once considered penicillin-allergic access to life-saving medications immediately, reducing prolonged hospital stays and potentially reducing deaths.
“The uniqueness of our approach is that we’re relying on a
team believe including frontline nurses in the re-evaluation reduces challenges doctors face when they’re unable to prescribe penicillin and its derivatives and instead must give patients second-line antibiotics that are not as effective.
SHAPE THE FUTURE OF NOW HIRING FOR MULTIPLE POSITIONS
“When patients are mistakenly labeled as allergic to penicillin, doctors are forced to prescribe broader-spectrum antibiotics that can be less effective, more toxic and contribute to antibiotic resistance,” Alsafadi said. The initiative harnessed the PEN-FAST clinical tool, a set of questions developed to identify patients with little to no risk of a real
strong partnership with frontline nurses, who are the biggest workforce in the hospital, so having them as partners in this process of improving the assessment and management of penicillin allergies is very powerful.”
— M. Yasser Alsafadi, M.D., infectious diseases
The initiative to scrutinize penicillin allergies, led by M. Yasser Alsafadi, M.D., an infectious diseases physician and medical director of Houston Methodist’s Antimicrobial Stewardship Program, set out to re-evaluate patient penicillin allergies and delabel charts when appropriate so that patients can be given the most effective antibiotics. Alsafadi and his
penicillin allergy.
“We adapted this screening tool and handed it over to our nurses, empowering them to do it on admission,” Alsafadi said. “The uniqueness of our approach is that we’re relying on a strong partnership with frontline nurses, who are the biggest workforce in the hospital, so having them as partners in this process of improving the assessment and management of penicillin allergies is very powerful.”
Penicillin allergy is one of the most commonly reported medication allergies in the U.S., with about 10%
see Penicillin ...page 14
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The Framework Baylor College of Medicine Celebrates Topping Out of Lillie and Roy Cullen Tower
By Staff
Baylor College of Medicine marked a significant milestone today with the topping out of the Lillie and Roy Cullen Tower, the newest addition to its expanding campus. This 503,000-square-foot facility will house Baylor’s School of Medicine and School of Health Professions.
“This is an exciting moment for Baylor as we celebrate the progress of the Lillie and Roy Cullen Tower,” said Dr. Paul Klotman, president, CEO and executive dean of Baylor College of Medicine. “This facility will not only enhance our ability to educate and train the next generation of healthcare professionals but also will serve as a hub for innovation, collaboration and discovery.”
As part of the milestone celebration in construction, Baylor announced that with the help of many generous supporters, the institution reached its fundraising goal of $150
million to build Cullen Tower.
To further support this initiative and all that Cullen Tower will allow its students, faculty, researchers and staff to achieve, Baylor is expanding its fundraising goal to $200 million.
Greg Brenneman, chair of Baylor’s Board of Trustees, emphasized the significance of this milestone in Baylor’s history and his gratitude for philanthropic support of Cullen Tower.
“We are incredibly grateful for our many generous donors,” Brenneman said. “Because of our supporters, Cullen Tower will bring together the brightest minds in medicine and research and will also inspire a prosperous and thriving future for Houston and beyond.”
The tower is the first phase of the Michael E. DeBakey Health Sciences Park, an ambitious 800,000-square-foot project designed to integrate medical education and research in a collaborative setting. It is also adjacent
to the Texas Medical Center’s Helix Park – an innovative 37-acre development supporting the intersection of healthcare, life sciences and business.
“Cullen Tower is designed with collaboration at its core,” said Robert Pulito, president emeritus and principal at The S/L/A/M/ Collaborative, the architecture firm behind the building’s design. “It reimagines not just the space, but the very structure of medical education¬ – bringing together curriculum, pedagogy, services and technology in a first-of-its-kind environment. By intentionally blurring the boundaries between education, research and clinical care, we’ve created a place where students, faculty and patients converge in a shared mission of discovery, care and continuous learning.”
Construction on the Lillie and Roy Cullen Tower began in 2023 after support from The Cullen Foundation, The Cullen Trust for Health Care and The Cullen Trust for Higher Education. The Cullen family’s longstanding support of Baylor continues their legacy of strengthening education, research
and patient care.
An additional transformative gift in support of Cullen Tower came from The DeBakey Medical Foundation. As construction progresses, Baylor looks forward to the grand opening in 2026, ushering in a new era for Baylor and generations of future medical and health professional students.
Lifting Tree to Top Out
Honoring Dr. Patrick Carter: A Legacy of Leadership in Family Medicine
Kelsey-Seybold Clinic hosted a special dedication event at the Spencer R. Berthelsen Main Campus to honor Patrick M. Carter, M.D., M.B.A., F.A.A.F.P., for his outstanding contributions to the organization and the Family Medicine department over the course of his 28-year career. In recognition of his profound impact to the Organization, Kelsey-Seybold announced the renaming of the department to the Patrick M. Carter, M.D., Family Medicine Department.
Tony Lin, M.D., Chairman and CEO, expressed heartfelt gratitude for Dr. Carter’s impact on the clinic, while Puja Sehgal, M.D., Chief of Family
Medicine, highlighted his transformative influence within Kelsey-Seybold’s Family Medicine department, and his promotion of effective collaboration between primary and specialty care physicians. In his role as Medical Director for Care Coordination and Quality Improvement, he exhibited unwavering commitment to patient - centered, coordinated care. Dr. Carter’s legacy is one of dedication, mentorship, and a passion for advancing Family Medicine.
Elevate
Practice
L-R: Tony Lin, M.D, Chairman and CEO; Azam Kundi, M.D., Vice Chairman; Patrick M. Carter, M.D., M.B.A., F.A.A.F.P.; Puja Sehgal, M.D., Chief of Family Medicine
Large Warehouses
Primary Care Visits: Why They Matter
By Jhanji, Rayhan (B.A., M.Ed.), He, Lance (B.S.), Hoffman, Kevin (B.S.), Sela, Maya (B.S.), Thapar, Ruhi (B.S)
Primary care is often the first point of contact in the healthcare system. Whether it’s monitoring blood pressure, managing chronic conditions like diabetes, or conducting an annual physical exam, your primary care physician (PCP) acts as both a health coach and a guide for further treatment. Medicine can be complex sometimes, but a PCP can help you navigate it.
Early Detection Saves Lives
One of the biggest advantages of seeing your primary care physician (PCP) regularly is the ability to catch problems early, sometimes even before symptoms appear. High blood pressure, for example, is known as the “silent killer” because it doesn’t always cause problems until it’s dangerously high. A
specialists or urgent care clinics. A PCP coordinates all aspects of your health and ensures medications, lifestyle changes, and referrals are working together. This integrated approach helps avoid medication errors, reduces hospitalizations, and improves overall quality of life.
Mental Health Matters Too
Primary care isn’t just about physical health. Anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions are often first identified during PCP visits. Trusted doctors who know their patients well are more likely to recognize subtle changes in mood or behavior and can initiate treatment or connect patients with appropriate counseling services.
Building a Relationship
Perhaps most importantly, regular visits with a PCP build trust. A provider who knows your medical history, personal challenges, and
routine visit can lead to early diagnosis and interventions such as diet control or lifestyle modifications. These changes can help prevent complications from high blood pressure, like strokes, heart attacks, or kidney disease later on.
PCPs also provide specialized screenings based on age, gender, and family history, such as mammograms, colonoscopies, and cholesterol checks. These diagnostic tests aren’t just check boxes, they are tools that can effectively detect cancer, heart disease, and other life-threatening conditions at a stage when they are most treatable. These regular screenings can pay dividends to your health if something abnormal is detected.
Managing Chronic Illness
More than half of adults in the United States have at least one chronic condition. Managing these illnesses—like diabetes, asthma, or heart disease—requires continuous visits to a PCP, not just one-off visits to
family background is better equipped to make informed decisions and offer personalized advice. This ongoing relationship makes it easier to have honest conversations and make shared decisions about care. Not all PCPs are the same and it may take time to find a PCP that shares your values, beliefs, and gels with your personality. Once you find the right PCP for you, maintaining that relationship is critical for your own healthcare.
Vaccines
Yearly PCP visits are also a place to ensure you are up to date on your vaccines. Immunizations are a cornerstone of preventive healthcare, protecting individuals from infectious diseases that can lead to severe health complications. Vaccines have eradicated or significantly reduced the prevalence of diseases such as polio, measles, and influenza, and are critical in ensuring that these diseases
Legal Matters
Continued from page 3
clearly marked to delineate private areas of a business.
Preparing for an I-9 Audit
With the heightened focus on immigration enforcement, an increase in I-9 audits and compliance investigations is anticipated. Federal law mandates that employers complete an I-9 form for each employee to
Oncology Research
Continued from page 5
two great ways to get outside.
Exercise releases hormones called endorphins which reduce feelings of stress and pain. Easy, low-impact outdoor activities like walking or hiking through one of more than 80 state parks across Texas, swimming, riding a bike, yoga, or gentle stretching can improve blood circulation, appetite, and muscle strength. It is recommended to consult with a physician before starting an
Primary Care
Continued from page 10
don’t return. Following recommended vaccination schedules is crucial for your health and public health. Your PCP can help answer any questions or concerns about vaccines for you and
Financial Forecast
Continued from page 11
TSP allocations between the G, F, C, S, and I Funds should be part of your retirement readiness strategy. It is recommenced that you consult with a Certified Financial Planner professionals who have experience in federal benefits to tailor a withdrawal strategy that aligns with your income needs and risk tolerance. Federal Pensions: FERS and CSRS Calculations
verify employment eligibility. The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (“IRCA”) prohibits employing individuals unauthorized to work in the U.S. and requires employers to verify identity and employment authorization.
If the federal government initiates an I-9 audit, the employer will receive a notice of inspection (“NOI”) and generally will have three days to produce I-9 forms for review. If ICE determines that certain employees are
exercise program during or after cancer treatment.
Gardening not only adds beauty to one’s surroundings, but it enables people to commune with nature, work out frustrations, and grow fresh food to nourish their bodies. Gardening improves mood and increases self-esteem, and when people spend time in a garden, anxiety levels can drop, and feelings of depression lessen.
For those worried about infection, it is also safer to spend time with other people outdoors, as viruses spread about 18 times more when indoors. Consider doing any of the activities above with friends and family.
Protecting Your Skin From the Sun
unauthorized to work, the employer has ten days to provide valid work authorization. Affected employees must be notified of the audit findings.
To prepare for a potential I-9 audit, ensure the use of the current Form I-9 and confirm all employees’ work authorization. Conducting an internal audit with legal counsel can help identify non-compliance issues and demonstrate good faith if an NOI later is issued. Contact legal counsel immediately upon receiving an I-9 NOI
While time spent outdoors can have numerous benefits, there is always a risk when it comes to sun exposure. As spring turns to summer and people venture outside more, it is important to protect your skin from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays, which is the number one cause of skin cancer. Also, many treatments for cancer can increase the sensitivity of skin to sunburn. The American Cancer Society suggests the following tips to stay sun safe:
• Stay in the shade and limit your direct exposure to the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and a wide-brimmed hat
for guidance and compliance. Conclusion
With the Trump administration’s focus on immigration enforcement, employers must be prepared for potential ICE actions including enforcement raids in their places of business. Employers should prepare in advance to develop response plans and navigating immigration enforcement long before ICE knocks.
to cover as much skin as possible.
• Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, reapplying at least every two hours.
Being outdoors can make cancer patients and caregivers feel freer, more grounded, and connected to nature. Taking the time to spend just a few moments outside each day with a thoughtful presence helps the body refuel and diminish stress, bringing a sense of calm to a whirlwind of emotions and feelings while navigating cancer.
your family.
Making time for your health
Moving to a new city, starting a new job, or any big life event can cause adherence to annual checkups to go by the wayside. If you don’t have a PCP or haven’t been to one in a while, a quick Google search can put you in
contact with a PCP within your health insurance network. Additionally, if you live in Harris County, the Harris Health Financial Assistance Program, formerly the “Gold Card” program, provides financial assistance for medical care, including annual healthcare screenings with a PCP.
Your health is your greatest asset and taking the time to check in with your primary care doctor may be the best investment you can make.
Most current federal employees fall under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), though some long-term employees are still part of the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS). Each has a different formula for calculating pensions.
• FERS: The basic pension formula is 1% of your high-3 average salary per year of service (or 1.1% if you retire at age 62 or later with at least 20 years of service). The “High-3” average is the average of your highest-paid consecutive 36 months. For example, an employee with 30 years of service and a high-3 average of $80,000 would
receive $24,000 annually under the 1% formula.
• CSRS: Offers a more generous pension, roughly 2% per year of service, but without Social Security benefits and TSP contributions as part of the core plan.
It’s important to understand that early retirement under VERA may reduce your pension benefits slightly due to fewer years of service or not qualifying for the enhanced 1.1% multiplier under FERS.
Final Thoughts
Uncertainty is never easy, but federal employees are fortunate to have a range of tools and resources to
help them navigate it. Whether you’re weighing the decision to retire early under VERA, managing your TSP investments, or calculating your future pension, the key is preparation. Stay informed, understand your benefits, and consult with HR and financial professionals like CFP practitioners, who specialize in federal retirement planning. A proactive approach today can help increase your probabilities for a more successful retirement.
