CNOs urged to ready nurses for ICE encounters under new hospital enforcement rules

Editor's Note

Hospitals are no longer protected from immigration enforcement, placing a new burden on chief nursing officers (CNOs) to ensure their teams are prepared, HealthLeaders June 2 reports. As of January 20, the Trump Administration revoked prior federal guidance that designated hospitals as “sensitive locations,” allowing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) to act in hospital settings. This policy shift means health systems must move swiftly to adapt protocols and train staff—especially nurses—for this evolving legal landscape.

The outlet emphasizes that ICE agents are now allowed to enter publicly accessible spaces such as lobbies and waiting rooms. However, agents can still be legally barred from private areas, including treatment rooms, inpatient units, and administrative offices, unless they present a valid judicial warrant signed by a judge and naming the patient and location. The article, citing ACLU guidance, urges hospitals to clearly distinguish public from private spaces using signage and security presence and to ensure legal teams vet all law enforcement documents before granting access.

For nurses on the front lines, the article explains the Ohio Nurses Association (ONA) recommends a minimal, scripted engagement approach. Nurses should not discuss a patient’s health or immigration status and must never delay care. Instead, they should direct ICE agents to authorized personnel, stating, “I'm not authorized to provide information. Let me notify the appropriate person to assist you.” Nurses are also urged to document any incidents in detail and report them to supervisors and legal teams.

Confidentiality is of utmost importance. CNOs must update and disseminate policies instructing staff to avoid asking patients about immigration status unless required by state law. Nurses should be empowered to protect patient privacy and advocate for those expressing fear or distress during enforcement actions by contacting security or social services.

Ultimately, the article concludes, this is about preparation, not panic. CNOs should lead cross-functional efforts with legal, compliance, and security teams to safeguard patient rights and maintain uninterrupted care, even in the face of federal enforcement presence.