Nurses ABANDON Stations to Join Anti-ICE Protests

January 21, 2026

Nurse in scrubs and mask outside hospital holding clipboard.

A new protest effort tests the limits of healthcare workers’ advocacy amid ICE operations.

Story Overview

The Minnesota Nurses Association supports a rally against ICE activities.
Healthcare workers balance protest participation with patient care responsibilities.
Concerns rise over ICE presence in hospitals affecting patient safety.
The protest highlights broader labor coalition support against immigration enforcement.

Minnesota Nurses Association Takes a Stand Against ICE

The Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) has announced its support for an event titled “ICE Out of Minnesota: A Day of Truth and Freedom,” scheduled for January 23, 2026. This event is a statewide economic blackout and rally aimed at showing solidarity with immigrant communities affected by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations. Despite endorsing the movement, MNA has made it clear that it is not advocating for a work stoppage, emphasizing that nurses should honor contract provisions and continue providing patient care.

The event follows the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an ICE agent, which has sparked outrage and mobilized support across various labor organizations. The MNA’s nuanced position underscores the complexity of healthcare workers engaging in activism while maintaining their professional obligations. This situation places nurses in a unique position, advocating for immigrant rights while ensuring uninterrupted care for their patients.

Minnesota Nurses Association Urges Medical Professionals to Join Anti-ICE Protests https://t.co/hjpE0zoiVE

— DLW 🔥#MAGA (@Dlw20161950) January 20, 2026

Healthcare Workers Face ICE Presence in Hospitals

Reports of ICE agents operating within Minnesota hospitals have raised significant concerns among healthcare workers. At Hennepin Healthcare, an incident was reported where an ICE agent remained at a patient’s bedside for over 24 hours without a judicial warrant. Such actions have been criticized for creating a climate of fear, potentially deterring immigrants from seeking necessary medical care. This situation has been labeled a public health crisis, as fear of deportation keeps individuals from accessing healthcare services, thereby endangering community health.

Lawmakers, including State Senator Liz Boldon, have called for clear policies to manage ICE access to hospitals, emphasizing that the presence of federal agents creates barriers to patient care. The push for sanctuary hospital policies aims to protect patients and staff from ICE activities, ensuring that healthcare facilities remain safe spaces for all individuals

Impact and Broader Coalition Support

The January 23 rally has garnered widespread support from labor unions, faith leaders, and community groups, reflecting a strong coalition against aggressive immigration enforcement. The event underscores the importance of labor solidarity, as healthcare workers join postal workers and other sectors in opposing policies perceived as harmful to immigrant communities.

As the Trump administration continues its immigration crackdown under Project 2025, the protest highlights the tension between federal enforcement and local communities. For healthcare workers, this situation emphasizes the ethical dilemma of balancing professional duties with advocacy, a challenge they continue to navigate in their commitment to patient care and community support.