New York City officials, in open letter to immigrants, promise medical care, privacy, regardless of status 

New York City officials issued an open letter Friday, urging immigrants not to worry about seeking medical care from government-run clinics and hospitals, a communication sent as President Donald Trump escalates a campaign pledge for the nation’s largest-ever deportation operation.

The letter — signed by Dr. Mitch Katz, president of the city’s public health entity, NYC Health + Hospitals; city Health Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse; and Manny Castro, commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs — says that "every New Yorker, without exception" will be served and privacy kept.

That promise, the letter says, applies at all municipal-government medical facilities — the 11 public hospitals, five nursing homes, and health clinics in every borough, including those that provide services to address sexual health, immunization and tuberculosis.

"In New York City you have a right to health care, regardless of your immigration status or ability to pay. Health care is so important and we want you to get the care you need before you get sick or have an emergency. You should not be afraid to go to the doctor, the community health center, or the hospital," the letter said. "Our doctors, nurses, and other health care workers care about you. Many are immigrants themselves who come from the communities they serve and speak your language."

Newsday reported last year that all the personal information immigrants provide any official could be used to facilitate deportation, although medical records are harder, through not impossible, to get, due to privacy laws.

The Trump administration earlier this year ended existing protections prohibiting immigration enforcers from operating in so-called sensitive locations, including hospitals, schools and churches.

And this week, there were reports that the Justice Department, conducting a criminal probe, issued subpoenas to at least three hotels where migrants may have been sheltered seeking a broad list of personal information of those who have lived there, including their nationalities, dates of birth and names.

Even before Trump issued more aggressive policies about immigrants, some of those in the United States illegally have avoided seeking medical care until the problem becomes dire, according to a 2015 review in the journal Risk Management and Healthcare Policy.

But now, across the nation, some immigrant families are receding from public life — a chilling effect seen not just at medical providers, who have reported skipped appointments, according to National Public Radio, but also at schools, churches and shops, according to The New York Times.

The White House couldn't be immediately reached for comment.

Mayor Eric Adams has said he supported deporting anyone accused of crime but wanted to maintain other sanctuary-city protections. 

He has said he wanted "to bring down the anxiety" of immigrants who fear deportation in New York, a longtime sanctuary city that except under narrow circumstances was legally prohibited from cooperating with immigration enforcers.

But absent from the letter, or the press release announcing the letter, was Adams’ name.

Adams’ spokeswoman Liz Garcia, asked why the mayor wasn’t involved, responded by email: "Do you think the mayor signs every letter that every agency puts out?"

Soon after being indicted on federal corruption charges last year, Adams stopped publicly criticizing and started praising Trump, who later said he would consider pardoning Adams.

Last month, over the objection of career prosecutors, the Justice Department ordered the case to be dismissed, in part, it said, so the mayor could help execute Trump's immigration crackdown. A judge is considering that motion, with a ruling imminent.

By Matthew Chayes

matthew.chayes@newsday.comchayesmatthew

Matthew Chayes, a Newsday reporter since 2007, covers New York City.