Lawmakers Respond to ICE Activity in Minnesota Hospitals
Rochester, Minn – Over the past week, it was reported that the Department of Homeland Security’s ICE agents have been entering Minnesota hospitals and harassing and detaining patients. At Hennepin County Medical Center, an agent reportedly handcuffed a patient to a bed after illegally accessing the building. At Fairview Southdale hospital, agents detained a man fighting a rare genetic disease. ICE was reportedly at Regions hospital in St. Paul as well, and denied a patient’s wife access to her spouse, telling her that she would face trespassing charges if she did not leave.
In response, a group of state lawmakers (listed below) released the following statement:
“It is illegal for ICE to enter private buildings and residences without a judicial warrant, and it is absolutely unconscionable to deliberately put patients’ health at risk. This lawlessness and vigilantism must end now.
“Every person in our country is entitled to due process and constitutional protections from unreasonable searches and seizure — no matter their immigration status. Those who violate their oath to the Constitution by carrying out these illegal acts will face justice.
“Patient health is the number one priority. Health care workers should never be forced to choose between doing their job and protecting their patients from masked agents. Any ICE presence in health care settings endangers everyone. Patients in ICE detention are under civil detention, not criminal custody, and must be treated with dignity, not shackles.
“We echo the calls of health care and community leaders urging Minnesota hospitals to adopt clear and proactive policies, protocols, and training to safeguard care, security, and privacy. And to ICE: leave our state immediately. You are not welcome here, you are not wanted anywhere, you are not making anyone safer or healthier, and your presence causes harm.”
The following legislators have signed onto this statement:
- Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy (DFL-Saint Paul), RN
- Senator Melissa H. Wiklund (DFL - Bloomington), Chair of Senate Committee on Health and Human Services
- Representative Robert Bierman (DFL-Apple Valley), Co-Chair of the House Committee on Health Finance and Policy
- Representative Liish Kozlowski (DFL-Duluth), Co-Chair House POCI Caucus
- Senator Matt Klein (DFL-Mendota Heights), physician
- Senator Alice Mann (DFL-Edina), physician
- Senator Liz Boldon (DFL-Rochester), RN, MSN
- Senator Judy Seeberger (DFL-Afton), paramedic
- Senator Lindsay Port (DFL-Burnsville)
- Senator Claire Oumou-Verbeten (DFL-Saint Paul)
- Representative Aisha Gomez (DFL-Minneapolis)
- Representative Esther Agbaje (DFL-Minneapolis)
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