LACMA Responds to Federal Immigration Enforcement Incident at Adventist Health White Memorial

The Los Angeles County Medical Association (LACMA) is deeply concerned by the federal immigration enforcement activity at Adventist Health White Memorial Medical Center in Boyle Heights Friday night and early Saturday morning November 6-7, 2026.

Hospitals are places of healing. Every person must be able to seek medical care without fear, and physicians and healthcare professionals must be able to care for their patients without interference and without fear for their own safety.

Reports that federal immigration enforcement activity affected access around the hospital and its emergency services are particularly troubling. Regardless of the purpose of an enforcement operation, activity at or immediately surrounding a hospital cannot be allowed to impede emergency care, disrupt ambulance access or compromise the private relationship between a physician and patient.

We appreciate reports that White Memorial protected the safety of its patient, the privacy of a physician-patient consultation, and made clear that the hospital does not participate in immigration enforcement. We stand with the physicians, nurses and healthcare professionals who continued caring for patients under extraordinarily difficult circumstances.

We also recognize the concern expressed by Boyle Heights residents, faith leaders and others who gathered outside the hospital. Their response underscores something physicians understand well: trust is fundamental to the health of a community. When people become afraid to enter a hospital, seek emergency treatment or speak openly with their physician, the consequences can extend far beyond a single patient.

LACMA is proud to count many White Memorial physicians as members of our medical society and we understand that they and White Memorial employees have received training and ongoing support to always put patients first under any circumstance.

However, no amount of training and support can anticipate the stress of armed federal agents present as physicians and staff attempt to perform their duty. The fact that these health professionals carried on with their responsibility is a testament to their commitment to their patients.

LACMA calls on federal authorities to respect healthcare settings, protect uninterrupted access to emergency services and preserve the privacy and integrity of the physician-patient relationship.

Los Angeles County’s physicians care for one of the most diverse populations in the nation. Our responsibility is to every patient who needs us.

Fear should never become a barrier to care.

Dr. Hector Flores

PresidentLos Angeles County Medical Association