The threat of immigration enforcement and presence of law enforcement at health care facilities deters immigrants and communities of color from seeking needed medical services. Border communities are particularly vulnerable given the frequent presence of U.S. Border Patrol agents at hospitals, which is compounded by the enforcement actions of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that threaten immigrant communities across the country.
The impact of immigration officials’ presence and actions at health care facilities is especially acute during times of public health crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Health care providers should be informed of their rights, the rights of their patients, and the steps they can take to protect their patients and ensure access to care without fear or discrimination.
To that end, this guide provides information to hospitals, medical centers, community health centers, other health care facilities, health care professionals, medical associations, and advocates on how to prepare for and respond to:
- enforcement actions by immigration officials;
- interactions with law enforcement that could result in immigration consequences for their patients;
- and law enforcement presence that deters access to care.
*For footnotes and bibliography, please reference the PDF version of this resource below.
New Guide Helps U.S. Health Professionals Protect Patients from Immigration Enforcement
Mar 13, 2025 “Health Care and U.S. Immigration Enforcement: What Providers Should Know” from Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) and the National Immigration Law Center (NILC) provides guidance to clinicians and hospital administrators on how to defend...
NILC Statement on Trump Proposal to Strip DACA Recipients’ Affordable Health Care Eligibility
Mar 10, 2025 Kica Matos, president of the National Immigration Law Center (NILC), issued the following statement in response to the Trump administration’s proposed rule aiming to strip Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients’ Affordable...
Medical Assistance Programs for Immigrants in Various States (Table)
Mar 6, 2025 This table outlines state policies for extending health coverage to more immigrant groups, including lawfully residing children and pregnant persons, regardless of their U.S. entry date, and providing prenatal care using CHIP funds, regardless...
Privacy Protections in Selected Federal Benefits Programs
Feb 25, 2025 This resource provides information on federal laws, regulations, and guidance that protect the information that immigrant families provide to public benefits agencies when applying for health, nutrition, cash assistance, child care, and other...