In this episode of Poppies & Propofol,
speaks with , PhD, Professor of Bioethics and Health Policy at Loyola University Chicago and Director of the Neiswanger Institute for Bioethics. Kuczewski has been a national leader in advocating for immigrant health access and creating the framework for “Sanctuary Doctoring”—an approach that ensures undocumented and mixed-status patients receive care without fear.He shares the pivotal stories that inspired his work, including helping launch Loyola as the first U.S. medical school to openly admit DACA students. Together, Alyssa and Mark tackle the current climate of immigration enforcement, hospital overcompliance with ICE, and the moral obligations of healthcare professionals to protect vulnerable patients.
If you’ve ever wondered what healthcare can and should do to shield patients from fear and injustice, this episode is for you.
I encourage you to check out and share these resources:
The Loyola University Chicago Sanctuary Doctoring Toolkit, available in Spanish and English.
Good Sanctuary Doctoring for Undocumented Patients by Drs. Kuczewski, Johana Mejias-Beck, and Amy Blair.
Additional Resources and References
Department of Homeland Security Sensitive Locations Memo
DHS rescinded protections in sensitive areas: churches, schools, and hospitals.
American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)
Immigrants are at risk of being scammed for fake legal services. This organization pairs people with vetted immigration attorneys.
National Immigration Law Center
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
AAP Guide to Immigrant Child Health
Catholic organizations, including Catholic Health Association of the U.S., U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, and Catholic Charities speak out against ICE in hospitals
Noted for being one of the only organizations to speak out after the rescinding of the Sensitive Locations Memo. You can read the organization’s letter to the House and Senate here.
CCUSA, USCCB, CHA emphasize need for protected areas for immigration enforcement
Reagan’s 1986 Amnesty Act - Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA)
DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals)
Principle III of the code states: “III. A physician shall respect the law and also recognize a responsibility to seek changes in those requirements which are contrary to the best interests of the patient.”
Despite the AMA speaking out against ICE patrolling in hospitals back in 2017, the organization has remained silent in 2025.
UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
Part 1, Article 9: “States Parties shall ensure that a child shall not be separated from his or her parents against their will, except” in rare circumstances where “such separation is necessary for the best interests of the child.”
Low Crime Rates Among Immigrants
Child Labor Law Rollbacks
Despite hazardous working conditions, many states are rolling back child labor laws
2022 US Department of Labor statement on child labor protections
Economic Policy Institute: Child labor laws are under attack in states across the country
Healthcare workers as a source of patient criminalization
A 2022 study by If/How/When indicated that healthcare workers were the most likely to report patients after self-managed abortions.
Disease Outbreaks in Detention Facilities
Mass incarceration leads to serious individual and public health consequences.
Seven suspected tuberculosis cases at Tacoma ICE processing facility
Man Held by ICE Was Jailed in Alaska for Weeks. Now He's in the Hospital Battling Tuberculosis
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