LOS ANGELES, CA – Protesters and federal immigration agents clashed outside Adventist Health White Memorial Medical Center in Boyle Heights early Saturday after agents brought a person in their custody to the hospital’s emergency room, according to the Los Angeles Police Department and the hospital.
The agents arrived around midnight on the night of Friday, Nov. 6, into Saturday, Nov. 7, the LAPD said. The department said the person in custody needed medical treatment and that officers responded after the hospital called for help.
The hospital said the agents blocked its ambulance entrance for about two hours and that ambulances were diverted to other hospitals during that time. Hospital leaders said they called the LAPD when agents lined up to keep emergency vehicles from reaching the entrance.
Crowds of neighbors and activists gathered outside after residents noticed a heavy federal presence near the facility, according to witnesses. Confrontations followed, and officials from the city and the state later criticized the agents’ presence.
Hospital says ambulance entrance was blocked
Hospital president Daniel Fontoura said the agents formed a line to prevent access for EMS trucks and ambulances, which is why staff called 911. He said the hospital had not invited immigration agents to the site.
“ICE was not at our invitation. When they block access to our patients, they dishonor our commitment,” Fontoura said.
Fontoura also said there was a point when ICE wanted to be present during the consultation between the physician and the patient. The hospital refused, he said.
Community activist Abraham Zavala of Union del Barrio said the agents were occupying four spaces outside the hospital and that people there had heard ambulances were being sent elsewhere.
Confrontations outside the hospital
Masked agents were seen pushing protesters as the crowd grew, according to witnesses. Zavala said agents used pepper spray on demonstrators.
A teenage girl was pepper-sprayed during the confrontations, according to initial reports. The teen has not been identified.
Rapid response groups said federal agents detained at least two people outside the hospital and that both were U.S. citizens. The groups said the two had been protesting.
Federal prosecutor says two people were charged
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli of the Central District of California said ICE was at the hospital to obtain medical treatment for a detainee who asked to see a doctor. He said agitators created a dangerous situation.
Essayli said two U.S. citizens were arrested and charged with assaulting a federal officer. He said law enforcement would not back down from what he called thugs. He did not describe what the two people are accused of doing.
An arrest is not a conviction, and the allegations remain subject to the criminal court process.
LAPD says it did not assist federal agents
LAPD Officer Norma Eisenman said officers responded to maintain public safety and keep the peace. She said that at no point did LAPD officers assist federal immigration authorities.
The department confirmed that federal agents were at the medical center with a person in custody around midnight. It said its response came after the hospital called.
Hospital denies role in immigration enforcement
The hospital said it does not participate in immigration enforcement, does not facilitate immigration operations and will not allow such activity to compromise patient care and safety. Activists had accused the hospital of being complicit with federal immigration operations, and the hospital denied that.
Fontoura told officials that the hospital has no special relationship or contract with federal immigration authorities. The hospital said it plans to strengthen its communication protocols with the LAPD for any future ICE encounters.
Bass and Raman condemn agents’ presence
Mayor Karen Bass said federal immigration agents gathered in force outside the ambulance bay, effectively sealing off a critical entrance. She said that presence was frightening for patients and families in medical crises at the worst possible moment.
“I condemn ICE’s actions and call on the Trump Administration to stop all immigration enforcement in and around health care facilities,” Bass said. She said a hospital should be the one place where people feel safe and that all of Los Angeles stands with Boyle Heights.
Bass added that hospital leadership had a duty to step in right away and that, by all appearances, this did not happen. She did not attend Saturday’s rally.
Mayor-elect Nithya Raman said she was appalled by what took place at White Memorial, where she said ICE agents were obstructing emergency room entry and had detained two U.S. citizens. At the rally she said the events at the hospital were an affront to the wishes of the American people and the people of Los Angeles.
Jurado and Durazo press hospital on ICE ties
City Councilmember Ysabel Jurado, who represents Boyle Heights, said she was deeply troubled by reports of ICE activity outside the hospital. She said the families she represents deserve to seek emergency care without fearing an encounter with immigration enforcement.
Jurado called on Adventist Health White Memorial to publicly disclose its agreements with ICE and to end any voluntary medical-services contract with the agency. She said every patient, including anyone in federal custody, must keep receiving appropriate and uninterrupted medical care.
State Sen. María Elena Durazo said the agents had no justification for their actions and called it unacceptable for ICE to go into health care facilities. She asked the hospital to clarify its coordination with ICE and to do more to protect the community.
DHS says ICE does not target hospitals
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said ICE does not target hospitals, schools or churches. It called the criticism another false narrative meant to demonize ICE law enforcement.
Rally and march from Mariachi Plaza
Hundreds of people gathered at Mariachi Plaza around 2:30 p.m. Saturday for a rally and march to the hospital on Cesar E. Chavez Avenue. The event coincided with a Día de los Muertos celebration.
Durazo, Jurado, Assemblymember Mark Gonzalez and Raman attended, along with CHIRLA’s Angelica Salas, Father Brendan Busse and David Huerta of SEIU. Salas said ICE must respect constitutional and human rights.
Hospital has until Nov. 21 to respond
Officials at the rally delivered a letter to the hospital asking for a detailed account of the incident and for procedures to prevent future ICE access. The letter sets a response deadline of Nov. 21.
The two people Essayli said were charged have not been publicly named, and the federal case remains pending.
