ICE at Healthcare Facilities: What Should You Do

 The law firm of Husch Blackwell wrote an article that includes a wealth of information for nurses and other healthcare providers.

"During the first hours of Trump’s second term, the administration rescinded these “sensitive location” protections. Given the Trump administration’s swift actions on immigration and statements made by the administration during the first few days in office, we expect ICE to be emboldened when it comes to accessing hospitals, clinics, and other health facilities to carry out their enforcement actions. ICE’s presence can be discomforting and disruptive. Although ICE agents are not police officers, their uniforms may say “Police” or “Federal Agent,” and they may even be accompanied by local law enforcement."

"While it is prudent for healthcare organizations to not be seen as uncooperative with law enforcement, they must be mindful that ICE and other law enforcement must still go through a judicial process to access a patient or their PHI, and there is no affirmative legal obligation to collect or report information about a patient’s immigration status just as there is no legal obligation to report on a patient’s drug use. Healthcare organizations should balance respecting the confidentiality of undocumented immigrants as if they were any other patient with maintaining a good rapport with ICE."

1. Make a plan and practice it

2. Limit cooperation without a warrant

3. Maintain patient privacy

4. Create private areas

5. Document everything

6. Reassure patients

7. Stay calm and professional

To read more from this article visit:

ICE at Healthcare Facilities: What Should You Do | Husch Blackwell

Stay safe,

Donna