ICE has made its presence everywhere in the U.S., from workplaces to courtrooms and even bus stops. This is especially true in Minnesota, where ICE operations have ramped up significantly so soon into January. Not to mention several fatal shootings, one of Renee Good and Alex Pretti. Now, doctors in Minnesota are speaking up against ICE. They’ve noticed a large portion of families failing to receive the care they need due to ICE’s presence, whether they’re there legally or otherwise.
Dr. Kristin Lyerly, a Democratic doctor in Wisconsin, shared a video of a Minnesota healthcare worker talking about the horrific state of the medical system right now. It turns out many families have ceased seeking health care because of ICE. And in good reason, too. As Kristin states, “They’re hunting our patients.” ICE has been seen abducting people who were legally allowed in the country and Americans, too.
One doctor working in an emergency room in Minnesota shared a disheartening story about ICE’s presence in hospitals. She said a mother showed up in the morning with four children at home who were sick with flu-like symptoms. The mother had to consider, “Which is the sickest kid?” and navigate to the hospital system without ICE spotting them. She watched out her window and brought the child to the hospital, “when I felt that the road was clear.”
As it goes, the woman ended up bringing her 13-year-old boy to the hospital to find out what was wrong with her family. She had three children under 10 years of age back at home, showing even worse symptoms. As she told the doctor, “We wouldn’t know what to do if an ICE vehicle was around.”
Because they were unable to receive timely care due to ICE’s presence, her children became sick and dehydrated. This situation highlights how access to essential medical care was disrupted for the family—care that is generally expected to be available to all individuals in the United States.
Another commenter (and mom) shared, “I checked in to the ER and my nurse cried when she saw I had a USA passport in hand for my child who had influenza too. It’s hard times.”
The measures families are taking to protect themselves have become increasingly difficult and concerning. At the same time, healthcare providers report growing strain as immigration enforcement activity affects patients’ willingness and ability to seek care.
