The New York Immigration Coalition on Thursday condemned the discrimination of immigrants at a healthcare center in New York City.
Politico reported that the Floating Hospital, a Queens medical center that receives federal funds, had asked patients to produce documentation confirming their status despite its history of servicing asylum seekers due to an executive order signed by President Donald Trump.
Murad Awawdeh, president and chief executive officer of the coalition, said that all New Yorkers, regardless of their immigration status, deserve access to medical services when in need.
"Access to healthcare is not only morally correct, it is essential to strengthening our public health," said Awawdeh. "However, with every half-baked Executive Order from the Trump administration, the rights of individuals and communities around the country are being impeded upon. Federally-funded healthcare programs have a mission to promote healthy communities and healthy child development by serving every resident."
Awawdeh said immigrants, who are often underserved, relied on free healthcare. He added that healthcare providers were mandated to provide care to all patients regardless of their ability to pay.
"Excluding certain people from this care will hurt every New Yorker, and creates a chilling effect for providers and for recipients alike. Let us be clear to all healthcare providers operating in New York State: you must treat every person who needs care," he said. "Any ‘healthcare’ institution that turns its backs on its mission to care for all has made the wrong choice, but it is not too late to correct this mistake and fulfill its mandate to serve the people of New York City.”
In addition, New Mexico Senator Martin Heinrich said the Ben Archer Health Center refused to provide care to patients, including children, who did not provide proof of their citizenship, via a recent post on X.
"This is not okay. We have a measles outbreak and skyrocketing grocery prices, and Donald Trump is focusing on this?!," he wrote.
