This article is reprinted from the Speak Out Now healthcare newsletter at Kaiser and Highland Hospitals in Oakland, CA.
Last week in Palo Alto, a woman collapsed during an ICE arrest and was taken to Stanford Hospital. Despite having a serious medical condition, agents allowed only a brief family visit and did not give information to the family, including when she was discharged into ICE custody.
Thousands responded with letters to Stanford in support of the family, causing the hospital system to block subsequent e-mails. On Tuesday, Stanford workers organized a rally against ICE and for patient care.
As healthcare workers, we have power in these moments:
- Protect patients: ICE cannot legally remove admitted patients who have medical need. Don’t allow premature discharges – especially with unsafe discharge plans given the lack of medical care in detention centers.
- Advocate: Push for family and legal visits when ICE detains someone at your facility.
- Stay alert: At Alameda Health System, join the worker-only chat to report ICE sightings and coordinate responses (see QR code below).
ICE is in our communities – but now isn’t the time to panic, it’s the time to organize.
Click here to read the article printed in the 09-03-25 Healthcare Newsletter
