What To Do If ICE Shows Up

Introduction

On his first day in office, President Donald Trump signed a flurry of Executive Orders ramping up immigration enforcement.¹ The next day, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) rescinded previous guidance that protected "sensitive locations" such as schools, hospitals, and religious buildings, thereby eliminating their semi-sanctuary status. These changes mean that hospitals, clinics, and health care providers need to prepare for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity in their facilities.² Health care providers should develop a plan that guides employees to meet their lawful obligation not to obstruct ICE enforcement while protecting employee and patient rights and facilitating continuity of care (an ICE Response Plan).