The rising presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in California medical facilities has sparked intense concern among healthcare workers and patient rights advocates. In recent months, federal immigration agents have been increasingly showing up at hospitals, creating an atmosphere of fear and intimidation that threatens patient care and privacy.

At John Muir Medical Center in Concord, nurses and staff have reported disturbing encounters with ICE agents that challenge fundamental patient rights. Kate Mobeen, an ICU nurse, described the situation as creating “a huge sense of fear” not just for patients, but for healthcare workers themselves.

The incidents range from agents waiting in hospital lobbies to chasing individuals inside medical facilities. At Dignity Health’s Glendale Memorial Hospital, agents occupied the lobby for 15 days, waiting to detain a patient. In another alarming case at an Ontario surgical center, federal agents pursued a man inside, leading to a confrontation with healthcare workers who attempted to protect the individual’s rights.

Healthcare professionals are increasingly finding themselves in precarious positions, balancing their ethical duty to provide care with complex legal and security challenges. Some medical workers, like Adriana Rugeles-Ortiz from Kaiser Permanente, have begun conducting “Know Your Rights” training sessions to help colleagues navigate these challenging scenarios.

Legal experts point out that while ICE agents can be present in public hospital areas, they cannot search private medical spaces without a federal court warrant. However, the practical implementation of these rules remains murky, leaving healthcare workers uncertain about their responsibilities and patients’ protections.

Dr. Douglas Yoshida, an emergency room physician, summarized the sentiment among many healthcare professionals: “We need to deliver good health care to these patients, just like any other patient, and we need to protect their rights”.

As tensions continue to rise, healthcare workers are demanding clearer guidelines and additional training to ensure they can provide compassionate, equitable care while maintaining patient dignity and safety.