OREGON – Nurses and frontline healthcare workers are teaming up with state legislators to introduce the Healthcare Without Fear Act, aimed at safeguarding Oregon’s hospitals from federal immigration enforcement. The legislation seeks to hold federal immigration officers to the same standards as other law enforcement within medical facilities.
The announcement is set for Friday, Jan. 30, at the Oregon Nurses Association Headquarters in Tualatin. State Sen. Wlnsvey Campos and State Rep. Dacia Grayber are the chief sponsors of the bill, with State Rep. Lamar Wise also sponsoring.
In 2025, the Trump administration began allowing federal immigration enforcement in sensitive locations like hospitals, leading to incidents of violence and intimidation. Recently, federal officers shot two people in a Portland hospital parking lot and arrested a family attempting to seek care for their sick child.
The proposed legislation aims to prevent such incidents by ensuring federal officers adhere to standard hospital protocols. This includes respecting patient privacy and not interfering with medical care, as past actions have reportedly violated HIPAA and compromised patient trust and safety.
The Healthcare Without Fear Act is designed to protect both patients and healthcare workers, ensuring everyone can access medical care without fear of detention or harassment.