Advocacy
Advocating for Children’s Health on Your Behalf
Resources for Pediatricians on Immigrant Enforcement
February 2025
This is a time of deep fear and uncertainty for many in our state, as we continue to recover from the recent wildfires and cope with the effects of Presidential Executive Orders on our practices, our patients, and our communities.
On January 20th, the Acting Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security released a memo rescinding the Biden administration’s memo limiting immigration enforcement activities at or near protected areas such as medical and mental health care sites, schools, places of worship, among others, and replaced it with a directive to law enforcement officers at Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection to use their discretion “along with a healthy dose of common sense.”
Children and families are fearful and anxious, which could result in chronic stress, somatic symptoms, and not attending school. In addition, the threat of immigration enforcement in clinical settings can result in missed appointments and delays in care.
We are fortunate in California to have two pediatrician leaders as members of our district and residents of our state: AAP Council on Immigrant Child and Family Health (COICFH) leaders Drs. Raul Gutierrez and Sural Shah. They have been working with the Council to compile a suite of resources (some of which I’ve shared below) to help us navigate new and evolving dynamics on the ground that are impacting our communities:
- AAP President Dr. Sue Kressly’s recent statement on federal immigration action
- “Know Your Rights” red cards in multiple languages to make available at check-in desks or on an individual basis
- Guidance for Hospitals and Health Centers: the National Immigrant Law Center has developed guidance for formerly protected areas, including specific guidance for hospitals and health centers.
- Step-by-Step Family Preparedness Plan in case of emergency
- Guidance for California’s Healthcare Facilities from the California Office of the Attorney General
- Practical guide to welcoming and protecting immigrant populations in healthcare:
- The Supporting Immigrant Families Tip Sheet can be found at the bottom of the linked AAP Immigrant Child Health page.
The COICFH email address is ImmigrantHealth@aap.org for those who wish to contact the national council. To join COICFH please go to the COICFH membership page. This is the best way to stay up to date with current tools and recommendations. Many local Chapters also have task forces or initiatives for immigrant health.
If you see examples of ways that immigrant families in your communities are being impacted by this new environment, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We are here for you and remain committed to ensuring that all children, including immigrant children, can feel safe and supported in our state. If you want to report immigration enforcement, the National Immigrant Legal Responders Alliance (NILRA) is accepting reports for tracking purposes. You can report anonymously, but NILRA can follow up if you provide your contact info.
Thank you for all you do for the health of all the children here in California.
AAP-OC advocates on behalf of families and pediatricians at the state and local level. Our chapter members are also members of AAP California, which is made up of three chapters in California. AAP CA works with policy makers in Sacramento to promote legislation that improves the lives of youth in our state. On the local level, AAP-OC has partnerships with The Orange County Healthcare Agency, CHOC Children’s Hospital, and UC Irvine along with other public and private entities that allow us to work on initiatives and education that promote pediatric excellence.