FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 13, 2017
Contact: Susan Naranjo, (213) 808-2341, SNaranjo@cirseiu.org

 

***MEDIA ADVISORY***
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 10:15 AM
PRESS CONFERENCE
LAC+USC MEDICAL CENTER – STEPS TO INPATIENT TOWER
2051 MARENGO ST, L.A., CA 90033
#SAVETPS #DREAMACTNOW

Resident Physicians, Youth Advocates, and Immigrant Groups Denounce the Actions of Homeland Security, Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, and the Border Patrol

Doctors and Community Champions Express Solidarity for 10-Year-Old Surgery Patient, Rosa Maria Hernandez, and Declare Ambulances, Clinics, and Hospitals Safe Spaces for All Undocumented Immigrants

[LOS ANGELES, CA] – As members of the community prepare to mark the Thanksgiving Season, Resident Physicians from LAC+USC Medical Center, representing the Service Employee International Union – Committee of Interns and Residents, (SEIU CIR) are joined by the executives and general membership of community-based, nonprofit organizations, such as Inner City Struggle, and the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights – Los Angeles, (CHIRLA) to declare all medical vehicles, as well as public health, mental health, and health services spaces as ones safe for undocumented patients/clients, friends, and family members.

WHO: John Harlow, MD, Pediatrician, Service Employees International Union – Committee of Interns and Residents (SEIU CIR)

Henry Perez, Associate Director, Inner City Struggle

Apolonio Morales, Political Director, Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights-Los Angeles (CHIRLA)

WHAT: #SaveTPS press conference to denounce those who target immigrant patients, declare public spaces as ones safe for all families, and call on Congress to pass a clean DREAM Act and save TPS.

WHEN: Tuesday, November 14, 2017 @10:15 AM

WHERE: LAC+USC Medical Center – Steps leading up to Inpatient Tower
2051 Marengo Street Los Angeles CA 90033

 

In San Antonio, Texas, Rosa Maria Hernandez, a 10-year-old girl with cerebral palsy, was taken by the Border Patrol and placed into a Homeland Security detention facility for deportation processing immediately following a critical surgery. In Los Angeles, California, 13-year-old, Jocelyn Avelica watched helplessly as her father was detained, by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, seconds after he took her to school in Highland Park.

Every day, children and families wonder whether they are putting their loved ones at risk simply by meeting medical needs, going to school, entering a courtroom, or even standing in line at the post office. Whether federal, state, county, city, or other, each and every public space, such as the LAC+USC Medical Center, must remain safe for all those who enter them, regardless of their immigration statuses. This means enacting recently passed state laws, such as SB 54 and AB 450, and Congressional passage of a clean DREAM Act for DACA eligible youth, and justice for Temporary Protective Status (TPS) visa holders.

CIR is the largest housestaff union representing over 15,000 housestaff. We aim to help unite and empower other resident physicians to have a stronger voice within their hospitals. With a growing, nationwide union of residents and fellows, we garner more negotiating power and support for our patients, our communities and ourselves. We use our collective voice to advocate for cost-effective, high quality health care for those we care for.