Healthcare Crisis Amid Immigration Crackdown in Minnesota

Wed Jan 21 2026 05:34:52 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Recent immigration enforcement actions have severely impacted access to healthcare for vulnerable populations in Minnesota, prompting fears and urgent demands from healthcare professionals.

Healthcare professionals in Minnesota report alarming disruptions to medical care due to intensified immigration enforcement under the Trump administration. Cases of pregnant women missing vital checkups, patients with chronic conditions falling through the cracks, and an atmosphere of fear among medical staff are escalating concerns. The recent crackdown, termed Operation Metro Surge, has led to over 3,000 arrests, igniting tensions between local communities, state officials, and federal agents. Experts call for urgent responses to protect those in need of care during this troubling period.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The fear surrounding immigration enforcement is reaching unprecedented levels in Minnesota, severely impacting healthcare access for many vulnerable individuals. Reports include pregnant women avoiding necessary medical appointments and patients with chronic illnesses facing inadequate care, due to fear of deportation.

A nurse discovered a pregnant woman at home, already in labor, after she feared visiting a clinic during the Trump administration’s crackdown on immigration enforcement. In another instance, a patient with kidney cancer struggled to receive critical medication while in detention.

Dr. Roli Dwivedi, past president of the Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians, expressed deep concern at a recent news conference at the state Capitol. Our places of healing are under siege, he stated, highlighting the distress faced by both patients and healthcare providers across various communities.

For years, hospitals and schools were considered safe zones free from immigration enforcement. However, shifts in policy have redefined these locations as targets, aggravating fears among both patients and medical staff. The recent adjustments initiated by federal agencies have dismantled the previous protections, marking a troubling change since the policy's implementation in 2011.

The situation escalated dramatically in January when the Department of Homeland Security introduced Operation Metro Surge, announcing it would deploy 2,000 federal agents in the Minneapolis area for immigration enforcement. This significant surge resulted in over 3,000 arrests, raising alarm among public health advocates.

Local healthcare providers, including Dr. Erin Stevens of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, emphasized that many patients have been missing essential prenatal care, leading to increased requests for home births—a drastic shift even among those who previously would never consider it.

The atmosphere of fear has led to conflicts within the community, igniting protests against immigration officials and calls for accountability from state representatives.

The recent tensions have even drawn in the U.S. Department of Justice, which is currently reviewing civil rights violations related to confrontations that have occurred amid the rising tensions.

Healthcare professionals are calling for immediate action to address the ongoing fears and ensure that healthcare can be safely accessed by all individuals, regardless of their immigration status.