Chicago Nurses Rally Against ICE, Call for Shift to Health Care Funding

Nurses protest immigration enforcement, citing public health concerns and intimidation of patients.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Nurses in Chicago joined a nationwide protest calling for the abolition of ICE and a shift in funding from immigration enforcement to health care. Speakers said immigration enforcement harms public health, citing fear that keeps immigrants from seeking care and reports of agents attempting to enter Stroger Hospital last fall. Organizers said their union is pushing for policy changes and urging voters to consider immigration enforcement issues in upcoming elections.

Why it matters

The protest highlights growing concerns among health care workers about the negative public health impacts of aggressive immigration enforcement tactics, which they say deter immigrants from seeking necessary medical care and create a climate of fear and intimidation in hospitals and clinics.

The details

The rally was held outside the former Cook County Hospital building, with nurses arguing that immigration enforcement poses a direct threat to public health through tactics like agents attempting to enter Stroger Hospital last fall. Organizers also criticized government spending priorities, saying funds should be redirected from immigration enforcement to health care, housing and education.

  • The rally took place on Thursday, February 20, 2026.
  • Last fall, ICE and Border Patrol agents reportedly attempted to enter Stroger Hospital to search for immigrants.

The players

Emy Roth

An emergency room nurse who spoke at the rally.

Cook County

Officials in Cook County issued an executive order last fall prohibiting staff from cooperating with immigration enforcement in hospitals.

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What’s next

Organizers said their union is leveraging its national membership to push for policy changes and is encouraging voters to weigh immigration enforcement issues in upcoming elections.

The takeaway

This protest highlights the growing concerns among health care workers about the negative public health impacts of aggressive immigration enforcement tactics, which they say deter immigrants from seeking necessary medical care and create a climate of fear and intimidation in hospitals and clinics.