National Nurses United denounces VA’s collection of data targeting immigrants

National Nurses United (NNU), the country's largest union of registered nurses, is outraged that the VA is working to implement this administration's cruel xenophobic anti-immigrant agenda that will lead to the persecution, intimidation, and discrimination of employees, volunteers, and trainees whose work is critical to the care and treatment of veterans.

Nurses were deeply disturbed to read this week's report in the Guardian that the VA is compiling a list of non-U.S. citizens who are "employed or affiliated" with the department and intends to share that list with other federal agencies. NNU calls for an end to data collection that targets immigrants. Nurses understand the compilation of this McCarthy-era-style list will further destabilize a workforce already suffering from numerous attacks, including the deliberate lack of resources and the voiding of VA nurses' collective bargaining contract.

Nurses are grateful for the vital contributions that immigrants, including veterans and health care workers, bring to the VA and to the nation. We believe that the vilification of immigrants weakens the country, the VA, and deteriorates care for our veterans. Furthermore, the aggressive anti-immigration tactics unleashed by this administration are directly harming the well-being of our patients. We have heard many stories of patients delaying treatment or skipping treatment entirely because they fear seeking help at medical facilities. This is not only a moral travesty but a threat to the public health of our nation.

As nurses who care for veterans, we are serving our nation's heroes, heroes who have fought for and defended our democratic institutions. We demand that these democratic institutions be honored as we honor the contributions of those who seek refuge, new lives, and safe harbor in our country.

National Nurses United is the largest and fastest-growing union and professional association of registered nurses in the United States with more than 225,000 members nationwide. NNU affiliates include California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee, DC Nurses Association, Michigan Nurses Association, Minnesota Nurses Association, and New York State Nurses Association.