Attorneys for Legacy Emanuel Medical Center sent a cease‑and‑desist letter to the Oregon Nurses Association on Jan. 16, asking the union to stop making what the hospital described as “false and misleading” public statements about its treatment of patients in immigration custody, the Portland Mercury reported.
The ONA — which represents more than 24,000 healthcare workers statewide — said nurses raised concerns internally in recent months about Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection agents not following hospital protocols. Specific concerns included agents being improperly identified, accessing restricted areas, staying in patient rooms against staff requests, and hurrying detainees out of the hospital against medical advice. The union said it saw no meaningful corrective action and on Dec. 10 formally requested a meeting with leadership, followed by a proposed memorandum of understanding on Jan. 8.
Portland-based Legacy Health, the hospital’s parent organization, acknowledged the letter and responded with the cease‑and‑desist, but also indicated willingness to meet. The ONA said it has proposed multiple dates and is working with Legacy to finalize a meeting time.
Legacy emphasized its commitment to providing care to all patients, including those in law enforcement custody, and said employees are required to report concerns through various internal channels. The system also reiterated that ICE officers only enter facilities while accompanying a patient in custody and that existing law enforcement policies are routinely reviewed.
Legacy Health is a six‑hospital system with approximately 14,000 employees, according to its website.
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