Today, 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East (“1199SEIU”) President George Gresham & the New York State Nurses Association(“NYSNA”) Executive Director Pat Kane, RN, issued the following statement regarding ICE raids in sensitive locations: 

“The members of 1199SEIU and NYSNA denounce the new federal policy of allowing ICE raids in sensitive locations, including healthcare facilities. This policy creates an atmosphere of fear in our communities that dissuades people from seeking necessary care.

“Allowing ICE undue access to hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and other healthcare institutions is both deeply immoral and contrary to public health. New York’s healthcare workers are focused solely on providing the highest quality of care to our patients. We must never be put into positions where we are expected to assist, or be disrupted by, federal agents as they sweep into our institutions and attempt to detain patients or their loved ones. New York City government must clarify its recent guidance implying that “threats” should be sufficient to gain entrance to a hospital or other care provider.

“Healthcare facilities must be havens of caring and healing, regardless of one’s immigration status. Immigration raids on the healthcare sector will have a deeply damaging impact on public health, potentially causing millions of people across the country to forgo much-needed treatment for serious illnesses. We cannot protect against the next public health emergency if millions of US residents are unable to safely go to an emergency room or receive preventative care.

“We must all stand up for our immigrant neighbors and the principle that healthcare is a fundamental human right."