California Nurses Celebrate New Law Protecting Hospitals from ICE Raids

New Legislation Shields California Health Facilities from Immigration Enforcement

The California Nurses Association (CNA), representing the state's largest group of registered nurses, has announced the immediate implementation of Senate Bill 81 (S.B. 81). This newly enacted law aims to curb the influence of immigration authorities in healthcare environments, according to the association.

"This is a huge step towards addressing the fear being expressed by patients at our hospitals," commented Sandy Reding, RN and CNA president. "Keeping all health care facilities safe for immigrant patients must be a priority, and we're proud to see this bill signed into law for the sake of our patients, our communities, and the health of everyone in California."

CNA has been a staunch advocate for this legislation since its inception and intends to collaborate with hospitals to establish protocols for potential immigration enforcement incidents, a central feature of the new law. Additionally, S.B. 81 classifies place of birth and immigration status as protected health information, thereby bolstering patient privacy measures.

As an affiliate of National Nurses United—the largest nurses union in the United States—CNA has consistently opposed the cancellation of sanctuary policies for hospitals, supported efforts towards federal accountability, and spoken out to support activists. The union has also condemned ICE detentions made at hospitals and urged patients to empower themselves with knowledge of their rights.

California Nurses Association/National Nurses United comprises over 100,000 members in more than 200 facilities across California and more than 225,000 registered nurses nationwide, making it the largest and fastest-growing union and professional association of registered nurses in the country.

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