Hospital and Campus workers to hold lunchtime walkout at University of Rochester’s School Of Nursing demanding protections, dignity for immigrant healthcare workers 

 

Rochester, NY — Healthcare workers, bedside caregivers, union members, and immigrant rights activists will rally in Rochester on Thursday 9/24 as part of "Healthcare Needs Us All," a coordinated national day of action taking place in hundreds of cities across the United States calling on Congress to protect immigrant healthcare workers and the patients and residents who depend on them.

 

The action comes as tens of thousands of doctors, nurses, hospital, nursing home, home care workers, and support staff who were hailed as essential workers during the pandemic find themselves in the crosshairs of the Trump administration. Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders, DACA recipients, and other immigrants who have lived, worked, and paid taxes in the United States for years are being stripped of lawful status and swept into mass deportation.

 

WHO: Hospital, nursing home, home care workers, allies, and community organizations

 

WHAT: Walk Out To March & Rally and Speak Out! 

 

WHEN: Thursday, September 24 at 12:30 PM – 1:00 PM 

 

WHERE: University of Rochester’s School of Nursing at 255 Crittenden Blvd 

 

Nationally, nearly 20 percent of essential caregivers and providers in hospitals, nursing homes, and home and community-based care were born outside the United States. Most are US citizens, but almost a million hold other forms of legal work authorization now at risk. Advocates warn that stripping legal status from immigrant healthcare workers will deepen the staffing crisis already straining the healthcare system nationwide. The Trump administration’s cruel and unjustified actions will not only harm dedicated caregivers and providers, they will strip healthcare access from Americans who depend on their care. 

 

Organizers are calling on Congress to:

- Immediately restore legal status for TPS holders and other immigrants;

- Pass the Dream and Promise Act to create a pathway to citizenship;

- End discriminatory travel bans and processing delays crippling our healthcare system pipeline; and

- Prioritize funding for healthcare instead of blank checks for ICE and deportations.