ICE agents blocked a Los Angeles hospital ambulance entrance for about two hours, drawing a protest joined by mayor-elect Raman

Federal immigration agents brought a detainee to the emergency department of Adventist Health White Memorial in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, on Friday night, then lined up across its ambulance entrance for about two hours, forcing the hospital to divert ambulances to nearby facilities. The incident drew community protests, and on Saturday afternoon hundreds of people marched from Mariachi Plaza to the hospital, joined by mayor-elect Nithya Raman and several elected officials, demanding answers from the hospital and the federal government. (Photo: file photo of a Boyle Heights street.)

Ambulance entrance blocked for about two hours; hospital says it never asked for it

According to the hospital and local media, agents brought a person in their custody to the White Memorial emergency department on Friday night for medical treatment, for reasons that were not disclosed. Agents then formed a line across the ambulance entrance for about two hours, and the hospital diverted ambulances elsewhere. The hospital said it did not request or authorise agents to obstruct ambulance access, and that it does not take part in immigration enforcement and focuses only on patient care. Hospital president Daniel Fontoura told the Saturday rally that staff had called 911 in an attempt to end the blockade. The hospital also said it has no special relationship or contract with federal immigration authorities.

At least two people detained; Raman says both are US citizens

Protesters gathered outside the hospital on Friday night, and video posted online showed agents holding a person down on a street near the hospital while another masked agent shouted at the person filming to back up. Community groups said at least two people were detained by federal agents during the demonstrations; Raman said on X that both were US citizens, though no agency has confirmed that. The Los Angeles Police Department said it was called to the hospital twice, late Friday and early Saturday, but that its officers did not assist with any immigration enforcement.

Raman joins the march; hospital asked to reply in writing by November 21

Saturday afternoon's march, organised by a local rapid-response group, coincided with a Día de los Muertos celebration. Raman, state Senator María Elena Durazo, Los Angeles Councilmember Ysabel Jurado, Assemblymember Mark Gonzalez and representatives of the Boyle Heights Immigrant Rights Network and other groups walked together from Mariachi Plaza to the hospital. Raman wrote on X that she was appalled that agents had obstructed the emergency room entrance and detained two US citizens, condemning what she called the Trump administration's reckless actions. At the rally she led chants in Spanish of “ICE out of Boyle Heights” and “ICE out of LA.” Durazo said the hospital appeared to be earning a reputation as an “ICE-friendly hospital” and that it “can and should do more.” Protesters handed hospital administrators a letter demanding an account of the night, written procedures to keep agents from blocking entrances or entering patient rooms, and a written reply by November 21.

Bass condemns the action; ICE denies targeting the hospital

Mayor Karen Bass condemned the action in a statement on Saturday afternoon, saying federal agents had gathered in force outside the ambulance bay, “effectively sealing off a critical entrance,” and that for patients and families in medical crises “that presence was frightening at the worst possible moment.” She called on the Trump administration to stop all immigration enforcement in and around health care facilities, and said hospital leadership “also had a duty to step in right away to protect patients and neighbors, and by all appearances, that did not happen.” ICE denied targeting the hospital, reiterating its policy of not conducting enforcement operations at sensitive locations such as hospitals, schools or churches, calling the criticism a false narrative and saying its agents were performing lawful duties. The incident comes days after Raman defeated Bass in the November 3 mayoral election; Raman takes office on December 14.