Union of 225,000 Nurses Campaigns for End to ICE Operations
10 February 2026
The United States’ largest union of registered nurses has intensified its call for the abolition of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), arguing that the agency’s operations are creating barriers to healthcare and posing a serious public health risk.
National Nurses United (NNU), which represents more than 225,000 registered nurses across the country, has launched a sustained campaign that links immigration enforcement practices to reduced access to medical care, particularly among immigrant communities.
The union’s position has gained renewed attention following the death of one of its members, Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse working for the Department of Veterans Affairs in Minneapolis. Mr Pretti was fatally shot by federal immigration agents on 24 January 2026 during an enforcement action in the city.
NNU described the incident as a “murder” and has organised a series of candlelight vigils and public actions across multiple states to honour Mr Pretti and others who have died in encounters involving ICE or in immigration detention.
In statements and social media posts, the union has emphasised nurses’ professional and ethical duty to advocate for patients. One widely shared message reads: “Nurses take a sacred oath to advocate for our patients so when armed agents create a climate of fear in our communities, we take action. Nurses don’t just treat symptoms – we fight the causes.”
Campaign materials include posters bearing the slogan “Will Crush ICE for Our Patients”, accompanied by imagery intended to symbolise firm opposition to current enforcement practices. These resources have been made available for download on the union’s website and used during protests and educational events.
NNU argues that aggressive immigration enforcement discourages individuals from seeking timely medical treatment, erodes trust between patients and healthcare providers, and diverts substantial public funding away from health services. The union has repeatedly called on Congress to reject funding for ICE and related agencies, including the reversal of significant budget allocations made in previous legislation.
The campaign has included vigils in cities such as Denver, Washington DC, New Orleans, Palo Alto and various locations in California, as well as criticism of private companies providing technology to support immigration enforcement.
Public reaction has been divided. Supporters view the union’s stance as a legitimate extension of nurses’ responsibility to address social determinants of health. Critics have described some of the campaign imagery and language as provocative and inappropriate for a professional healthcare organisation.
No formal response has been issued by ICE or the Department of Homeland Security to the latest wave of union activity.
NNU has indicated that it will continue its advocacy through legislative pressure, community organising and public education in the coming weeks, amid ongoing congressional debates over homeland security appropriations.
The organisation maintains that abolishing ICE is necessary to protect community health and restore confidence in the healthcare system for all residents, regardless of immigration status.
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