Know Your Rights: Immigrant Safety in Hospitals and Clinics
Last updated: January 13, 2026 04:04 pm
Health care facilities, such as hospitals and emergency rooms, provide essential services to all community members. Health care providers should be focused on fostering patient trust and comfort, not responding to immigration enforcement. People should not be afraid they could be detained by immigration authorities when they are seeking health care.
The federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) prohibits healthcare providers from disclosing protected health information—including immigration status—with some exceptions. Additionally, the California Constitution includes a right to privacy and state laws also protect individuals' medical information.
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