California, USA – As immigration enforcement continues to creep into healthcare settings, nurses and healthcare workers across the country are speaking out against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents’ presence in hospitals, which they say disrupts patient care and creates an unsafe, fearful environment for patients and staff alike.
One of the most shocking incidents occurred at a UCLA emergency room in June, where Dianne Sposito, a 69-year-old nurse, found herself blocked by an ICE agent while trying to treat an immigrant patient. The patient, who was in custody and struggling, had been brought in by an agent who, without proper identification, obstructed Sposito’s efforts to assist. The situation escalated until hospital administration intervened, leading to a greater discussion about the role of ICE in medical spaces.
What Happened
Sposito, who has over 40 years of experience as a nurse, recounted the tense moment when the ICE agent arrived with a patient and refused to allow her to provide care. When asked for his name and badge number, the agent denied her request, asserting he did not need a warrant to be present. “It was very frightful because the person behind him is screaming, yelling, and I don’t know what’s going on with her,” Sposito shared.
This incident highlights the growing concern among healthcare professionals who argue that the increasing presence of ICE in hospitals is not only violating patient rights but also creating a hostile environment for both patients and medical staff. In response, the California Nurses Association and National Nurses United have voiced strong opposition, urging for clearer protections for patients and workers.
Who Was Involved
Dianne Sposito: A seasoned nurse working at UCLA with more than 40 years of experience, Sposito’s encounter with ICE in the emergency room sparked her concerns about the impact of immigration enforcement on healthcare settings.
Mary Turner, President of National Nurses United: Turner criticized the rise of ICE’s presence in hospitals, stating that it created an unsafe and fearful environment for all involved. “Immigrants are our patients and our colleagues,” Turner emphasized.
ICE: Immigration and Customs Enforcement is responsible for enforcing immigration laws, but its presence in hospitals has become controversial, with reports of agents not only detaining individuals but also interfering with medical care and violating patient privacy.
Career/Legacy or Background
The presence of ICE in hospitals is not a new issue but has escalated since the Trump administration issued an executive order in 2020 reversing policies that protected healthcare facilities as “sensitive locations” from immigration enforcement. Prior to this, healthcare, schools, and churches were considered off-limits for ICE operations. This shift in policy has led to numerous incidents where healthcare workers and patients feel they are caught between immigration enforcement and medical care.
One notable case occurred in Glendale Memorial, California, where Milagro Solis Portillo, a Salvadoran woman, was forcibly removed from the hospital against medical advice by ICE agents. The agents also interfered with her attorney’s access and restricted her communication with family members, sparking outrage and legal challenges from advocacy groups.
Public/Social Media Reactions
The growing incidents of ICE activity in healthcare settings have sparked widespread condemnation from nurses and advocacy groups. Social media posts, petitions, and news stories have highlighted the concerns of healthcare workers, with many calling for federal and state legislation to protect patient privacy and safety. Advocates argue that medical care should be free from political interference and that the sanctuary of hospitals must be preserved.
On social media, many have shared their experiences or expressed concern, with some suggesting that this will discourage immigrants from seeking necessary care, for fear of being detained or deported.
Official Statements or What Happens Next
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) responded to the criticisms, maintaining that ICE agents do not interfere with medical care and only take action when necessary. However, incidents like the one involving Solis Portillo at Glendale Memorial have sparked backlash, with healthcare workers questioning whether ICE is overstepping its bounds.
The California Nurses Association and National Nurses United continue to press for stronger protections for patients and healthcare workers, emphasizing that healthcare settings should be free from immigration enforcement interference.
Meanwhile, in a significant legal case, Jesus Ortega and Danielle Nadine Davila, employees at the Ontario Advanced Surgical Center in California, face charges of assaulting federal agents after attempting to block an ICE arrest at their facility. Their case, which is set to go to trial in October, has become a flashpoint for the debate over immigration enforcement in medical facilities.
Conclusion
As ICE’s presence in hospitals increases, the debate over the balance between immigration enforcement and patient care remains unresolved. Nurses and healthcare professionals across the country continue to voice their concerns, urging lawmakers to take action to protect healthcare workers and their patients from the growing political pressures in medical settings.
This story may be updated with more information as it becomes available.
