SALT LAKE CITY — Anecdotally, immigrants and their advocates have reported an uptick in anxiety within the population as President Donald Trump has pressed for more action to detain and deport those in the country illegally.

Many in the immigrant community, particularly in mixed-status families, avoid trips outside the home or keep them to a minimum to avoid possible run-ins with immigration authorities.

"The fear to leave home is real. Most don't want to risk being pulled over or approached and questioned for no particular reason, putting their loved ones at risk," said Javier Alegre, executive director of South Salt Lake-based Latino Behavioral Health Services. Mixed-status families have a combination of individuals here legally, whether U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents, and others here illegally.

Now, a national survey by the Washington, D.C.-based Urban Institute confirms that such anxiety is relatively common among immigrants and their family members, though at varying levels. Adults in mixed-status families reported the highest rates of concern about conducting everyday activities, thereby raising the possibility of calling attention to their immigration status.

Even so, the report, issued last week, found that immigrant families with no members here illegally "also reported these fears and responses." The survey focused on adults aged 18 to 64 in families with immigrants, whether here legally or illegally.

The Urban Institute carried out the survey last December, after Trump's presidential election victory but before he took office. Trump's varied initiatives and executive orders since taking office that take aim at illegal immigration "have likely heightened concerns," the organization's report says.

According to the survey, 47% of respondents in mixed-status families with children expressed "some" or "a lot" of concern at talking with police, the activity that generated the highest rate of anxiety. That compares to 25% for those in immigrant families with children but no members here illegally. Members of immigrant families with children expressed higher rates of worry than immigrant families without children.

The next most nerve-wracking activity was driving. Some 45% of respondents in mixed-status families with children expressed some level of concern at driving compared to 23% for immigrant families with only members here legally.

Other activities in descending level of concern for those in mixed-status families with children were going to work, worrisome to 41% of respondents, and visiting a doctor's office or health clinic, worrisome to 35%. Next on the list and the share of respondents who expressed concern were sending children to school or day care, 32%; visiting a hospital, 30%; and attending religious services or community events, 25%.

The Urban Institute, which calls itself a nonprofit research organization aimed at helping advance upward mobility and equity, warned that policy changes under Trump will likely have a "chilling effect" on participation in everyday life. Immigrant families, the survey said, will "avoid interactions with health care or social services, police, schools or other community spaces where they perceive risk of detection and potential exposure to immigration enforcement."

In defending his focus on immigration, Trump, for his part, argues that immigrants here illegally pose a safety risk and sap the U.S. economy. His moves, including more aggressive efforts to detain and deport immigrants here illegally, are popular among many.

'Challenging in the past two months'

Alegre, of Utah's Latino Behavioral Health Services, said he's noticed a dip in participation in community events by the Latino community here. His group is tasked with providing mental health offerings to Utah's Latino population. "We continue to make every effort to engage and support our community, but it has become challenging in the past two months," he said.

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Moreover, his organization has experienced an increase in reports of depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation. Latino Behavioral Health Services operates a support line, 385-495-2188, geared to those in the minority community contending with anxiety and emotional distress. "We are doing what we can to continue supporting the mental and emotional health of our communities, but it has become increasingly challenging with funds being at risk and support for crucial partners at risk of being eliminated," he said.

While the Trump administration has focused on cracking down on illegal immigration, Alegre said he has also seen signs of support for the immigrant community. In times of "need and crisis, many allies in the community come out and support our community to reduce risk or eliminate feelings of fear and anxiety," he said.

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