Concerns are mounting as medical professionals in Minnesota report that a recent immigration crackdown is deterring patients from seeking necessary healthcare. The heightened enforcement, which began in late 2022, has created an environment of fear among immigrant communities, affecting their access to critical medical services.
At a press conference in St. Paul, Dr. Roli Dwivedi, past president of the Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians, described harrowing cases of patients skipping appointments. One notable incident involved a pregnant woman who avoided a routine checkup out of fear of being apprehended. A nurse later found her at home in labor, just moments away from giving birth. Other patients, including one suffering from kidney cancer, have reportedly gone without essential medications while detained.
The climate of fear has extended beyond patients. Healthcare workers from diverse backgrounds, including those from Latin America and Somalia, express trepidation about attending work due to the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers at medical facilities. Staff at the Hennepin County Medical Center, the state’s busiest emergency room, have resorted to using encrypted messaging to communicate about safety concerns.
“I can’t believe we’re having to resort to this,” said a nurse who spoke anonymously to The Associated Press. She recounted an incident where ICE agents were accused of unnecessarily restraining a patient. The nurse highlighted that plainclothes officers frequently approach people of color, requesting identification as they leave the hospital.
In response to the allegations, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security denied any interference with medical care, stating that ICE does not conduct enforcement actions in hospitals unless there is a direct threat to public safety. However, the situation in Minnesota is not an isolated case. Reports from other states indicate that similar crackdowns are impacting immigrant access to healthcare across the country.
In Oregon, nurses have raised alarms about ICE agents pressuring medical staff at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center to expedite the discharge of detainee patients, sometimes against medical advice. The Oregon Nurses Association noted instances where physicians recommended continued hospitalization, only for ICE to insist on immediate discharge.
The crackdown in Minnesota escalated in January 2023, when the Department of Homeland Security announced plans to deploy 2,000 federal agents to the Minneapolis area as part of what was termed Operation Metro Surge. According to a recent court filing, over 3,000 individuals living in the U.S. without legal status have been arrested during this operation.
Dr. Erin Stevens, the legislative chair for the Minnesota section of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, expressed concern that patients are increasingly missing appointments, particularly pregnant women who require prenatal care. There has also been a notable rise in requests for home births, even among those who previously would not have considered it a viable option.
The situation has ignited tensions between local officials and federal authorities, leading to confrontations between activists and immigration enforcement. Recently, protesters disrupted a service at a St. Paul church, where the pastor is associated with the local ICE office, chanting slogans demanding the removal of ICE from their community.
The U.S. Department of Justice has since announced a civil rights investigation into the protests, further highlighting the growing discord surrounding immigration enforcement in the state.
As healthcare providers continue to navigate this challenging landscape, the impact on patient care remains a pressing concern, with many urging for a return to established protections for vulnerable communities. The call for action among medical professionals stresses the necessity of ensuring access to healthcare for all, irrespective of immigration status.
