On Saturday morning federal immigration agents arrived at Adventist Health White Memorial Medical Center in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, and detained a person in custody. The agents then blocked the hospital’s emergency department entrance for about two hours, forcing staff and patients to wait for care.
Local response
Neighborhood activists, including Requel Roman, executive director of Proyecto Pastoral Atelores Mission and the Boyle Heights Immigrant Rights Network, gathered outside the hospital with residents and elected officials. Roman said she witnessed women being pepper‑sprayed and described the sheer number of agents as “intimidating to the community.” She added that ICE was allowed inside the emergency bay while ordinary citizens were questioned about why they were entering the facility.
Los Angeles Mayor‑elect Nithya Raman joined the protesters on Sunday, demanding that hospitals adopt clear protocols that prevent immigration enforcement from entering emergency rooms. “If ICE drops somebody off, there should be security that says, ‘Okay, you stop here and you don’t come in any further,’” Raman said.
Outgoing Mayor Karen Bass issued a statement condemning the agents’ actions, emphasizing that a hospital should be a safe place where no one fears treatment because of immigration status. “All of Los Angeles stands with Boyle Heights, and we will use every lawful tool available to protect the community,” Bass declared.
Federal officials remain silent
The Department of Homeland Security declined to comment on the specific arrest or the condition of the detainees, citing operational security. However, DHS posted photos of the individuals on social media, identifying them as Honduran nationals taken into custody after local authorities refused to honor an ICE detainer.
Two U.S. citizens who were present at the protest were later arrested for assaulting an officer, according to First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli. No further details were released.
President Trump backs hard‑line enforcement
President Donald Trump used the incident to reaffirm his administration’s strict deportation policy. Speaking at the White House, Trump said there would be no “amnesty” for illegal immigrants and warned that any suggestion of such a deal was contrary to the law.
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin echoed the president’s stance, stating he is opposed to any immigration legislation that includes amnesty. Both officials emphasized that the administration will continue to enforce existing immigration laws despite the upcoming midterm elections and a newly Democratic‑controlled Congress.
Hospital’s position
Adventist Health White Memorial reiterated that it does not participate in immigration enforcement and will not allow such activities to compromise patient care or safety. The hospital’s spokesperson said the detained individual was taken to the emergency department for undisclosed reasons.
The incident highlights ongoing tensions in Los Angeles over immigration enforcement, especially in neighborhoods with large immigrant populations. Community leaders continue to call for clearer safeguards that protect patients’ rights while allowing law‑enforcement to operate within the bounds of the law.
Original reporting: NBC4 Los Angeles — read the source article.
