Since President Donald J. Trump’s first day in office, he has issued a wave of executive orders impacting the environment, the economy, diversity and civil rights. He also announced a series of orders that directly impact undocumented citizens and incoming immigrants. Stony Brook University students, administrators and healthcare workers shared their responses to these changes in legislation.
The Trump administration rescinded a policy that protected facilities such as schools, places of worship and hospitals from immigration enforcement. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents were given an unreleased directive to take action using “common sense.” This recent change is one of many factors that has contributed to the increase in ICE raids throughout the country.
In response, an email was sent to Stony Brook Medicine ambulatory staff that outlined the protocols to follow if federal immigration authorities were to come on-site, along with details of what supervisors and operation managers should do if this situation occurs.
The email was attributed to William Wertheim, the executive vice president for Stony Brook Medicine, Carol Gomes, the chief executive officer and chief operating officer at Stony Brook University Hospital (SBUH) and Todd Griffin, the vice dean for Clinical Affairs and vice president for Clinical Services at Stony Brook Medicine.
“Ambulatory staff should immediately notify their office supervisor … The authorities should not be provided access to the patient care areas,” the email reads. “The validity of the warrant will be determined by legal counsel. If verified by counsel, the agents will be permitted to access the facility.”
Supervisors and operation managers are to request photo identification, obtain a business card and ask for a copy of the warrant or subpoena. They should notify the University Police Department (UPD) and specifically ask for Michael Pasternack, UPD’s shift lieutenant and legal counsel. Authorities will be asked to wait in a designated area until Pasternack determines whether they are granted access.
“ICE agents will not be permitted access to the patient care areas or its records, or to engage in any enforcement activities (arrests, searches, interrogations) in the facility without presenting a valid judicial warrant (order signed by a federal judge or magistrate),” the email stated.
If granted access, the office supervisor is instructed to take the names of the agents, determine what actions they are taking and note their arrival and departure times.
Diana Munoz, a phlebotomist and healthcare worker at Stony Brook University Hospital for over nine years, said that Trump’s new policy could possibly steer undocumented citizens from seeking medical attention.
“[Stony Brook University Hospital] is a place where we care for our patients’ health and well-being. That’s our goal and priority. If patients don’t seek medical attention when they’re sick, this means that they can spread illness to others and potentially develop a more serious infection. No one should be scared to seek any type of medical attention,” Munoz said.
She added, “I strongly agree with [Stony Brook University Hospital] requirements and procedures … This will not only give the patients peace of mind but also the staff that are caring for the patients. [Then, the] patients can easily focus on their own health.”
Mahnoor Azam, a phlebotomist at Stony Brook University Hospital and a senior majoring in health science, expressed her “sadness” towards the changes made by the Trump administration, particularly the increase in ICE raids, and emphasized what healthcare workers’ priorities should be.
“Our job as healthcare workers is to take care of the sick and save lives. In my opinion, if as a healthcare worker, if you are willing to rat on your patients and risk their health and livelihood, you should not be in healthcare,” Azam said.
On Jan. 22, an email was sent to the Stony Brook community to address the various executive orders and reiterate the University’s obligations to both equity and the law. It was signed by Wertheim, Vice President for Equity and Inclusion and Chief Health Equity Officer Judith Brown Clarke and Executive Vice President and Provost Carl Lejuez.
“We are carefully reviewing [the executive orders] along with [State University of New York]. As we proceed, we want to reiterate our commitment to delivering the highest quality education, research, and healthcare while facilitating opportunity and upward mobility to the members of our community, without discrimination,” the email read. “We will undertake this commitment in a manner consistent with our legal and regulatory responsibilities. Your understanding and support during this time are greatly appreciated as we work together to ensure a positive and inclusive environment for everyone at Stony Brook.”
However, for some students, the email is not enough. There has been a mixture in reactions amongst students, with some recently participating in a peaceful protest. The demonstration was held on Feb. 10 in front of the Administration Building, and the protestors called for Stony Brook to protect its international students and workers from ICE.
Kaya Turan, a fifth-year Ph.D. student studying art history and criticism and the president of the Graduate Student Employees Union (GSEU), shared his thoughts on potential ICE raids.
“I don’t think [ICE raids] should happen in our dorms, on our campus, anywhere,” Turan said. “That’s part of why we’re out here [protesting] today; we’re trying to get Stony Brook to commit to protecting students against deportation.”
After speeches were delivered, protesters walked to Interim President Richard L. McCormick’s office where Turan and Adam French, a junior double majoring in mathematics and environmental design, policy and planning, both read a list of demands.
The list included requiring the University to tell students and staff if their information has been released to ICE within 24 hours either through mail or email, implement yearly mandatory training sessions focused on non-citizens’ rights if approached by ICE and to advertise existing confidential immigration legal services.
In retaliation to the protest, Samuel Shpak, a junior majoring in history, held an American flag and shouted at protesters from a distance. He shouted expressions such as, “If you’re illegal, you’re a criminal and should be deported,” “Send them back!” and “Increase the raids!”
Shpak expressed that he supports both the increase in raids across the country and legal immigration. He emphasized that if people want to enter this country, there are ways of doing so legally.
During the protest, multiple students gave speeches sharing their personal experiences and opinions. Sumaq Killari, a senior double majoring in journalism and Spanish language and literature, began her speech recounting the experiences her aunt experienced when immigrating to the United States. She also told her own story of immigrating from Peru to the United States with her family.
“I moved here for more opportunities, but I never wanted to leave behind the place that raised me, the place that felt [like] home, but when the only choice you have is to sacrifice everything for a chance at a better life, then you have no other [option].”
Killari then emphasized how immigrants in the U.S. are mistreated despite the obstacles they face.
“They are seen as burdens, as criminals, as threats to a society that builds itself on the back of people like them … We’re not criminals. The criminal is you,” she said.
