A core principle of healthcare professions is that we care for all people to the best of our ability, regardless of their age, gender, sexual orientation, race or ethnicity, or immigration status. Providing care free from discrimination is an ethical obligation and fundamental to public health.

The U.S. government has long recognized this and designated healthcare facilities as sensitive locations to be avoided in immigration enforcement, along with churches and schools. But now the Trump administration has reversed this policy, endangering immigrants and all Americans.

As healthcare workers, we condemn that action and urge President Trump to rescind it.

Amid a barrage of dehumanizing rhetoric and new anti-immigrant policies, knowing that immigration agents may target healthcare facilities is already harming the health of immigrants, their families and our communities. A growing number of our patients are canceling or not coming to appointments and delaying medical care that they need.

Fear of seeking care during emergencies can be fatal, while delaying or interrupting treatment for chronic illnesses worsens health and increases cost. Lack of care for communicable diseases threatens broader public health, as it greatly increases the risk of transmission and even outbreaks.

Immigrants are also our neighbors, our friends and our coworkers; they represent nearly 20% of the healthcare workforce.

Moreover, access to healthcare is a human right, and it is a violation of that right to expose our patients to detention and deportation from within our hospitals and clinics. We therefore call on all healthcare institutions and professional associations to uphold the sanctity of healthcare facilities by:

1) Creating and implementing formal policies to protect all of our patients’ privacy and access to healthcare, without exceptions.

2) Explicitly communicating to patients that our health institutions welcome and care for all, regardless of immigration status, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, ethnicity or ability, and specify the measures they have taken to protect their care.

3) Advocating for our immigrant patients, colleagues, and communities to protect their access to healthcare, the stability of our workforce, and the integrity of our communities.

4) Building medical-legal partnerships to address growing legal needs, which substantially impact the health of our patients and communities.

At this time when so many of our patients are living in fear, it is our ethical duty as healthcare providers to stand with them.