ICE agents' presence at Boyle Heights hospital prompts community response – NBC Los Angeles

ICE agents’ presence at Boyle Heights hospital prompts community response  NBC Los Angeles

Federal immigration officers were seen outside a Boyle Heights-area hospital overnight, prompting some community members to protest outside the medical… Federal immigration officers were seen outside a Boyle Heights-area hospital overnight, prompting some neighbors and elected officials to protest outside the medical facility. Adventist Health White Memorial Medical Center confirmed the presence of federal agents on its property early Saturday, saying they transported an individual under their custody to the facility. A spokesperson for the hospital said the individual was taken to the medical center’s emergency room department for undisclosed reasons and that the agents blocked the entrance to the ER for two hours. "When agents formed a line across our ambulance entrance, which we did not request nor authorize, we diverted ambulances to nearby hospitals for about two hours to ensure every patient received timely, respectful, and culturally sensitive care," the spokesperson said.

An ICE spokesperson shared a statement with NBC Los Angeles on Saturday evening, which said, in part: "For operational security and the safety of our officers, ICE will not disclose or discuss law enforcement operations." The agency also said it does not target hospitals, as well as schools and churches, saying, "This is just another false narrative to try to demonize our brave ICE law enforcement." See below for the agency's full statement. Video from the