ONgoing initiative
HEALTHCARE BEST PRACTICES
Fear of immigration enforcement creates chronic anxiety for immigrant families and prompts them to avoid using vital healthcare services. Here are a few pointers for healthcare centers:
1. Send the message that all are welcome.
Signs should be posted everywhere (e.g. waiting rooms, hallways, exam rooms, bathrooms).
2. Make Know Your Rights information and immigration resources available.
Provide information materials in multiple languages everywhere (e.g. waiting rooms, hallways, exam rooms, bathrooms); consider playing informational videos in the waiting room.
Have lots of Red Cards available, which immigrants can give to immigration enforcement to exert their rights.
3. Educate healthcare staff about immigration policy & its effects on health.
Review educational modules under Education section.
Email Dr. Laura Janneck (lmjanneck@challiance.org) to arrange a training.
4. Create a formal policy to NOT share patient information with ICE.
Health centers & healthcare providers to NOT have to share patient information with immigration or law enforcement without a warrant. All healthcare facilities should have formal policies & procedures for what to do if ICE is seeking information about a patient.
All staff should be trained to follow the formal protocol.
There should be a clear chain of command for who should be informed if ICE is requesting patient information.
Links to sample policies:
Know Your Healthcare Rights
More details about the rights of patients and healthcare providers, with sample flyers and policies are available in the National Immigrant Law Center Healthcare Toolkit. You must request a login for this excellent resource.
