This article is reprinted from the Speak Out Now healthcare newsletter at Kaiser and Highland Hospitals in Oakland, CA.
Last week, Highland workers organized an in-person know your rights training for how to respond to ICE if they show up to the hospital. Lawyers taught workers a lot over their lunch break, here are some key takeaways:
* Delay any agents from entering or obtaining patient information by asking them to sit in a non-patient care area while you call for the hospital legal team, who can determine if they have a legitimate warrant. Don’t take agent’s word for it! They are legally allowed to lie.
* HIPAA protects patient privacy – don’t give out any personal information to police or agents. Again, the hospital’s legal team can decide if agents have a legal right to this information.
* Document any interactions with ICE including names and badge numbers. Document the interaction (date, time, location, what happened) and take pictures of agents if you can, while avoiding pictures of any patients.
WE keep us and our patients safe!
Click here to read the article printed in the 07-16-25 Healthcare Newsletter
