Dear ONA Members, 

As we continue to witness troubling developments with the Trump administration's mass deportation agenda, we are deeply concerned about the impact on immigrant communities, especially in health care settings. Recent threats to authorize ICE raids in hospitals create an environment of fear and insecurity that directly undermines the trust and safety that patients need in our care. 

We know many of you are searching for ways to help protect vulnerable patients and families during this uncertain time. As healthcare workers, we must ensure that our hospitals remain sanctuaries where everyone, regardless of immigration status, can access the care they need without fear.  

What You Can Do: 

1. Share Know Your Rights Information: It's critical to inform patients and their families of their rights in the event of an ICE raid at a hospital. This information will help alleviate some of the fear and confusion that patients and families may be feeling. Here are some patient and caregiver specific resources from the National Immigration Law Center. 

2. Support Family Safety Plans: Encourage immigrant families to prepare a safety plan. This includes identifying trusted adults who can care for children in the event of a raid, ensuring important documents are easily accessible, and informing children about what to do if their parent is detained. This planning will provide families with greater peace of mind during these challenging times.

3. Foster Safe Spaces in Hospitals: Our hospitals should be safe spaces where all patients are treated with dignity and respect. We must continue to advocate for policies that prevent immigration enforcement from taking place within our medical facilities. Make sure hospital leadership is aware of the need for clear, protective policies regarding ICE presence in our spaces and advocate for the privacy and rights of all patients.

4. Connect to Community Resources: Immigrant patients may need additional legal and social support in these difficult times. Share information with families about local organizations offering legal aid, mental health services, and family support.

As healthcare workers and union members, we are in a unique position to provide support and protection for our immigrant communities. By standing in solidarity and advocating for the safety of all patients, we can help maintain the trust that is vital to delivering high-quality care.

We appreciate the leadership of our national union in advocating for the rights of immigrant communities, and we stand with them in this fight to ensure that our hospitals are places of care, not fear.

Additionally, our sister union the Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA) has created a helpful guide of "What you need to know if ICE agents come to your workplace" which you can see here.