Senator Sasha Renée Pérez issues statement on immigration enforcement agents delaying medical treatment to a Los Angeles County woman and hospitals’ responsibilities to protect patients

SACRAMENTO – Senator Sasha Renée Pérez (D-Pasadena) has issued the following statement on immigration enforcement agents delaying medical treatment to a Los Angeles County woman and hospitals’ responsibilities to protect patients:

“The actions of immigration enforcement authorities, such as ICE, in our community continue to be deeply unjust and disturbing. Now, immigration enforcement agents are delaying medical care to people clearly in need.

“Milagro Solis Portillo was detained by immigration enforcement agents on Thursday, July 3 in Sherman Oaks. She needed medical attention right away, but despite clearly displaying medical needs, Milagro was left handcuffed and covered in vomit for over eight hours without proper medical care. She was eventually taken to Glendale Memorial Hospital where she was admitted for care. Patients like Milagro deserve to receive medical care in a timely, safe and dignified manner, and free from the intimidation and fear of having agents sitting outside their hospital room. 

“On July 4th, my staff and I were able to escort family members inside the hospital to see their loved one and to meet with the CEO of Glendale Memorial Hospital. Medical facilities have a fundamental responsibility to protect patients.

“Today, I am announcing that I will be joining with Senator Jesse Arreguín (D-Berkeley) as a joint author on his SB 81. This legislation would prohibit a health care provider and its personnel from granting access to immigration enforcement officials to nonpublic areas of its medical facilities without a valid judicial warrant or court order.

“The Trump Administration’s fascist and aggressive attacks on our immigrant community and anyone exercising their constitutional rights to oppose them are wrong. We will continue to stand up for these hardworking, innocent community members who are being targeted in these ongoing violent immigration raids taking place in my Senate District and across Los Angeles County.”

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Senator Sasha Renée Pérez is Chair of the Senate Education Committee and represents the 25th Senate District that includes the communities of Glendale, Pasadena, Alhambra, Altadena, Arcadia, Claremont, Glendora, La Cañada Flintridge, La Crescenta-Montrose, Monrovia, Monterey Park, Rosemead, San Gabriel, San Marino, Sierra Madre, South Pasadena, Temple City, Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, Upland, and San Antonio Heights.