FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts
[email protected]
410-576-7009
BALTIMORE, MD – Attorney General Anthony G. Brown released guidance to healthcare providers regarding immigration enforcement operations at medical facilities. The guidance, requested by the Maryland Secretary of Health, aims to help healthcare facilities comply with federal and state laws while ensuring all Maryland residents maintain access to essential healthcare services despite increased federal immigration enforcement.
While this guidance is for healthcare facilities, Attorney General Brown wants Marylanders to have access to the document for informational purposes, in the interest of transparency and his commitment to upholding the rule of law.
"No Marylander, regardless of immigration status, should have to choose between their health and safety,” said Attorney General Brown. “This guidance helps health care providers understand what to do when facing immigration authorities so they can protect patients, follow the law, and provide top-notch care.”
Key provisions of the guidance include, but are not limited to, the following. If an immigration officer appears at a facility:
- Staff should request and record the officer’s credentials and contact counsel immediately;
- Staff and patients may choose not to answer questions;
- Staff should not disclose patient information unless presented with a judicial warrant, subpoena or summons;
- ICE has no right to access restricted spaces without a warrant or under narrow emergency circumstances; and
- Staff should not attempt to bar the officer from public spaces, conceal patients, or take other action to thwart the investigation.
Providers should consult with counsel before disclosing any patient information to immigration officials. Healthcare facilities are encouraged to review their current policies and implement training programs to ensure compliance with these guidelines while maintaining their primary mission of providing healthcare services to all Maryland residents.
###