We are outraged by reports that health care providers and officials at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility run by a private prison company have denied immigrants basic medical care and sterilized women against their will.
These human rights abuses defy every health care providers’ code of ethics and continue a cruel and tragic history of health care providers and government officials ignoring and abusing the rights of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). Nurses are called to be advocates for our patients and to promote and protect all peoples’ rights.
We join our colleagues throughout the country and around the world in calling for an immediate investigation into these charges and we applaud the nurse whistleblower who spoke out to bring these atrocities to light.
Travis Nelson, RN, ONA Cabinet on Health Policy
Deborah Riddick, JD, RN, ONA Director of Government Relations
