As Oregon’s 2026 legislative session approaches, a new proposal in Salem aims to draw clearer boundaries around how and when federal immigration agents may enter hospitals and clinics. Supporters of Senate Bill 1570 say the measure is designed to protect patient privacy and ensure that medical facilities remain focused on care, not enforcement activity.
The legislation, introduced by Senator Wlnsvey Campos, a Democrat representing Hillsboro, Aloha and West Beaverton, would establish statewide standards governing immigration agents’ access to health care settings. The bill comes amid heightened public debate over immigration enforcement tactics and growing concerns among some community members about encounters with federal agents in sensitive spaces.
At a press conference announcing the proposal, Campos said the bill seeks to reinforce longstanding principles of medical privacy and patient rights. “All patients have rights, including people in custody, people whose immigration status is in question, and people who are simply trying to survive a medical crisis,” she said. “They have the right to privacy, to participate meaningfully in their health care decisions, and to receive necessary medical care. Hospitals and clinics must remain places of healing, not fear.”
Senate Bill 1570 would require immigration agents to present a judicial warrant before accessing private areas of a health care facility. It also directs hospitals and clinics to clearly distinguish between public and private spaces within their buildings, a step intended to reduce confusion and prevent unauthorized entry into treatment areas.
Another key component of the proposal would classify a patient’s immigration status and place of birth as protected health information under state standards. Supporters argue that formalizing those protections in Oregon law would provide clarity to health care providers and reassure patients who might otherwise hesitate to seek care.
The bill also prohibits retaliation against health care workers who provide patients with lawful and accurate information about their rights. In addition, it requires facilities to adopt written policies for interacting with federal agents and to designate administrators responsible for handling those encounters.
Campos said the measure reflects protections that were common practice under previous federal administrations but were not codified in state statute. She argued that changing enforcement patterns at the federal level have created uncertainty for providers and patients alike, necessitating a clear state-level response.
Representative Dacia Grayber, a Democrat from Southwest Portland and East Beaverton, is backing the proposal in the Oregon House. Drawing on her experience as a first responder, Grayber emphasized the importance of defined roles and procedures in high-stress environments. “As a first responder, I know that when rules are clear and roles are respected, people are safer,” she said. She added that the bill is intended to ensure that medical professionals can carry out their duties without disruption from enforcement actions.
Representative Lamar Wise, a Democrat representing East Portland, also expressed support. He pointed to reports that some residents are weighing whether to seek medical care out of concern about potential immigration encounters. “People are weighing their health needs against the risk of encountering federal agents as they go about their daily lives,” Wise said. “That is not how a healthy community functions. This is not the Oregon we deserve. We deserve health care without fear.”
While supporters frame the proposal as a patient privacy and public health measure, the bill is likely to draw scrutiny from critics who argue that federal immigration enforcement authority should not be restricted by state-level rules. The debate may also touch on broader questions about the balance of state and federal power.
The Oregon Legislature is scheduled to convene on Monday, February 2, marking the start of the 2026 session. Lawmakers will consider Senate Bill 1570 alongside a range of other proposals addressing housing, public safety, and economic concerns.
If enacted, the measure would place Oregon among states that have adopted explicit guidelines governing immigration enforcement activity in health care settings. Its supporters contend that the bill’s primary goal is straightforward: to maintain trust in the state’s medical system and ensure that hospitals and clinics remain focused on delivering care.
As the session begins, the future of the proposal will depend on committee hearings, floor votes, and negotiations between chambers. For now, the bill sets the stage for a broader conversation in Salem about privacy, public health, and the role of state government in shaping the boundaries of federal enforcement within Oregon’s most sensitive spaces.