The Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) has voiced serious allegations against management at Portland’s Legacy Emanuel Medical Center, claiming that the rights and health of immigration detainees are being jeopardized. The union, representing over 24,000 nurses in the state, sent a letter to Legacy Emanuel President Bahaa Wanly on Wednesday, demanding the hospital comply with its own policies and statutory obligations regarding patients in custody.
According to the ONA, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been increasingly bringing detainees to Legacy Emanuel for medical treatment. This escalation in enforcement activities has coincided with reports of aggressive conduct by officers, including instances where individuals have sustained serious injuries during arrests. In October alone, Border Patrol reportedly detained over 560 Oregonians, raising alarms over the treatment of these individuals.
Legacy Health has denied any increase in the number of ICE detainees at the hospital and stated that it prioritizes the health and safety of all patients, regardless of their immigration status. The hospital emphasized its commitment to following both state and federal laws related to patient care and privacy, asserting it has mechanisms in place for staff to report any potential violations.
However, the nurses’ union argues that current practices at Legacy put both patients and nurses at risk. ONA’s letter indicates that nurses have been informed by management that immigration detainees do not possess the same rights under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) as other patients. This assertion raises significant concerns regarding patient privacy and the quality of care provided to detainees, as ICE officers have allegedly been allowed to remain at patients’ bedsides during sensitive medical assessments.
The letter further claims that ICE officers have been involved in making decisions about patient care and discharge, despite the absence of any policy allowing them to act as medical decision-makers. Reports indicate that officers have pressured medical staff to expedite discharges and have been observed roaming the hospital, clustering around patient rooms and emergency department bays.
Additionally, the ONA highlights that nurses have been restricted from informing patients about their federal rights or assisting them in contacting family members or legal counsel. The union asserts that these limitations not only affect the detainees but also create a climate of fear among hospital staff, particularly among nurses of color and immigrant nurses who report feeling unsafe in the presence of federal agents.
To address these concerns, the ONA has requested that Legacy take specific actions within two weeks, including tracking the presence of ICE officers within the hospital and documenting any interactions between officers and patients. The union is also calling for the hospital to ensure that nurses can lawfully assist detainees in contacting their families or legal support.
