Oregon Nurses Assn.

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News Release

ONA Statement On ICE Presence At Legacy Emanuel Hospital - 12/11/25

Portland, Ore. - The Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) strongly condemns recent threats and actions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that jeopardize the safety, health, and well-being of immigrant communities across Oregon. Immigrants are vital members of our state and our healthcare system—serving as frontline nurses, providers, caregivers, and essential staff who keep our hospitals operating every day.

 

ICE’s behavior in targeting immigrants is wrong and fundamentally inconsistent with our values as Oregonians. These actions—whether carried out or threatened—create fear that keeps people from going to work, moving freely in their communities, and seeking medical care when they need it most. No person should fear accessing necessary care. That fear violates the most basic principles of being a frontline nurse, provider, or caregiver.

 

In recent months, ICE has been bringing detainees to Legacy Emanuel Medical Center for medical treatment. Frontline nurses and staff have raised serious concerns about the well-being of these patients and reported highly unusual ICE conduct, including inconsistent application of Legacy’s own policies—particularly when compared to the clear, established protocols used with other law-enforcement agencies. These discrepancies raise profound concerns about patient safety, legal compliance, and the protection of basic patient rights.

 

Nurses are also witnessing significant gaps between Legacy’s written policies and what is occurring in practice. Yesterday, the Oregon Nurses Association formally notified the President of Legacy Emanuel Medical Center of these issues and requested immediate, collaborative action with nurses, frontline staff, and ONA to correct them. Our letter also called for a meeting within the next 14 days to begin addressing these urgent concerns and ensure that all patients receive safe, lawful, and dignified care.

 

Additionally, we asked for immediate steps to protect patients, and staff, including:

  • Creating an ICE credential-verification log to ensure transparency, accountability, and legal compliance. 
  • Strengthening clinical documentation of all ICE-related encounters, including arrest circumstances, use of force, and agent behavior. 
  • Protecting patient rights by providing “Know Your Rights” information, connecting detainees with legal and social-support resources, and affirming that all patients—including those in custody—retain full HIPAA protections. 
  • Limiting officer presence in clinical areas and requiring agents to step out during sensitive exams when clinically appropriate. 
  • Centralizing all protected health information (PHI) disclosures and eliminating informal or bedside disclosures to law enforcement. 
  • Safeguarding clinical judgment by documenting any care interruptions requested by ICE and reaffirming that law enforcement is never the medical decisionmaker. 
  • Establishing a joint labor–management working group and guaranteeing non-retaliation for nurses who report concerns. 

ONA’s mission is clear: we are here to protect patient privacy, uphold human dignity, and provide compassionate, equitable care to every person who walks through the doors of the hospitals and clinics where we work. The more than 24,000 represented healthcare professionals of the Oregon Nurses Association are steadfast in ensuring that Oregon’s healthcare system remains a place of healing—never an extension of law enforcement—where all people, regardless of immigration status, can receive care without fear.

 

We call on healthcare executives and elected leaders to stand with us by defending patient rights, enforcing and strengthening transparent policies, and holding ICE accountable. Trust is foundational to effective health care, and we must ensure that every patient—without exception—feels safe seeking the care they need.

 

ONA will continue advocating for the rights, safety, and dignity of all patients—and for the healthcare workers who provide their care every day. We will not allow fear to take root in Oregon’s healthcare system.

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ONA Statement On ICE Presence At Legacy Emanuel Hospital - 12/11/25

Portland, Ore. - The Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) strongly condemns recent threats and actions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that jeopardize the safety, health, and well-being of immigrant communities across Oregon. Immigrants are vital members of our state and our healthcare system—serving as frontline nurses, providers, caregivers, and essential staff who keep our hospitals operating every day.

 

ICE’s behavior in targeting immigrants is wrong and fundamentally inconsistent with our values as Oregonians. These actions—whether carried out or threatened—create fear that keeps people from going to work, moving freely in their communities, and seeking medical care when they need it most. No person should fear accessing necessary care. That fear violates the most basic principles of being a frontline nurse, provider, or caregiver.

 

In recent months, ICE has been bringing detainees to Legacy Emanuel Medical Center for medical treatment. Frontline nurses and staff have raised serious concerns about the well-being of these patients and reported highly unusual ICE conduct, including inconsistent application of Legacy’s own policies—particularly when compared to the clear, established protocols used with other law-enforcement agencies. These discrepancies raise profound concerns about patient safety, legal compliance, and the protection of basic patient rights.

 

Nurses are also witnessing significant gaps between Legacy’s written policies and what is occurring in practice. Yesterday, the Oregon Nurses Association formally notified the President of Legacy Emanuel Medical Center of these issues and requested immediate, collaborative action with nurses, frontline staff, and ONA to correct them. Our letter also called for a meeting within the next 14 days to begin addressing these urgent concerns and ensure that all patients receive safe, lawful, and dignified care.

 

Additionally, we asked for immediate steps to protect patients, and staff, including:

  • Creating an ICE credential-verification log to ensure transparency, accountability, and legal compliance. 
  • Strengthening clinical documentation of all ICE-related encounters, including arrest circumstances, use of force, and agent behavior. 
  • Protecting patient rights by providing “Know Your Rights” information, connecting detainees with legal and social-support resources, and affirming that all patients—including those in custody—retain full HIPAA protections. 
  • Limiting officer presence in clinical areas and requiring agents to step out during sensitive exams when clinically appropriate. 
  • Centralizing all protected health information (PHI) disclosures and eliminating informal or bedside disclosures to law enforcement. 
  • Safeguarding clinical judgment by documenting any care interruptions requested by ICE and reaffirming that law enforcement is never the medical decisionmaker. 
  • Establishing a joint labor–management working group and guaranteeing non-retaliation for nurses who report concerns. 

ONA’s mission is clear: we are here to protect patient privacy, uphold human dignity, and provide compassionate, equitable care to every person who walks through the doors of the hospitals and clinics where we work. The more than 24,000 represented healthcare professionals of the Oregon Nurses Association are steadfast in ensuring that Oregon’s healthcare system remains a place of healing—never an extension of law enforcement—where all people, regardless of immigration status, can receive care without fear.

 

We call on healthcare executives and elected leaders to stand with us by defending patient rights, enforcing and strengthening transparent policies, and holding ICE accountable. Trust is foundational to effective health care, and we must ensure that every patient—without exception—feels safe seeking the care they need.

 

ONA will continue advocating for the rights, safety, and dignity of all patients—and for the healthcare workers who provide their care every day. We will not allow fear to take root in Oregon’s healthcare system.

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