The Effects of ICE Presence on Healthcare and Safety with Dr. Avalon Swenson Part 1
What Happens When ICE Comes to Town: Reflections from Minneapolis
By Dr. Robert Beck
Introduction
This week on Interesting MD, I had an intense and deeply personal conversation with Dr. Avalon Swenson, an internal medicine resident from Minneapolis. Our discussion went far beyond the headlines, exploring the human impact of ICE operations on communities, patients, and healthcare providers. As someone who believes that physicians carry a responsibility to their communities, I left this conversation profoundly moved—and a little more hopeful, too.
Who is Dr. Avalon Swenson?
Minneapolis native, trained both locally and out-of-state
Outspoken advocate for community safety, public health, and medical ethics
Actively involved in supporting her community in and out of the hospital
Minneapolis Under Occupation
Dr. Swenson described her city not just as a place on a map, but as a close-knit network of neighbors—people who look out for one another in small, meaningful ways. When ICE arrived, that sense of security evaporated almost overnight.
What Did ICE Operations Actually Look Like?
Over 1,000 ICE agents, at times reaching up to 2,000, deployed in the city and surrounding state
Agents operated with little oversight, blending into communities and using tactics like waiting outside DMVs and schools
Racial profiling was rampant—documentation didn’t matter if you weren’t white
Even legal citizens and residents were being stopped, detained, or harassed
Impact on Daily Life
Communities, especially refugee and immigrant populations, became fearful to perform everyday tasks—driving, shopping, or even attending school
Schools serving immigrant and minority children were specifically targeted
Community members banded together with communication networks and mutual aid, but fear hung over every interaction
The psychological toll—especially on children—will echo for years
The Health Consequences
One of the most distressing parts of this situation is the impact on healthcare access.
Patients canceled appointments and stopped seeking medical care, even for serious conditions like cancer treatment
Immigrants and people of color avoided clinics and hospitals, worried about being targeted within these supposedly safe spaces
Hennepin County Medical Center, known for serving all regardless of status, became an ICE target—armed agents were present even on hospital wards
Patient confidentiality and rights were violated; ICE agents often refused to step out during medical evaluations
Trauma for Healthcare Providers
The crisis didn’t stop at the hospital doors. Dr. Swenson powerfully recounted the murders of two individuals—both white, which dispelled any illusions about privilege in the face of state-sanctioned violence. She and her colleagues were left to grapple with:
Watching friends and coworkers killed simply for standing up or trying to help others
Being prevented, under threat of force, from providing basic Good Samaritan aid to shooting victims—even when it was their professional and moral duty
The long-term emotional and professional trauma left behind for everyone in the healthcare system, especially when so many were connected to the victims
How Did Institutions Respond?
Healthcare workers received rapid-fire training on how to respond to ICE presence in hospitals
Realistically, doctors on overnight shifts or in chaotic circumstances could do little to protect patients' privacy and rights
Attempts to reason with ICE agents were met with threats or violence, rendering negotiation impossible
Where Do We Go from Here?
This is about more than just law or politics—it’s about humanity, and about the rule of law being applied equally. Some steps we can all take:
Educate ourselves and our colleagues on patient rights and legal obligations
Support mutual aid organizations—like Minneapolis Mutual Aid—that are tirelessly filling the gaps
Remember that these tactics, and the trauma they cause, affect every member of the community, regardless of background or profession
If this episode moved you—or shifted your perspective—please consider supporting mutual aid in Minneapolis or in your own community. Even small acts can help restore a sense of security and dignity where it’s been stolen.
As always, I want to hear your stories, your strategies, and the ways you’re standing up for your neighbors. Drop a comment, send an email, and check our show notes for resources.
Stay safe, look out for one another, and apply the golden rule. Let’s build communities, not just careers.
—Dr. Robert Beck