More than a thousand doctors, nurses, and other medical staff from across the European Union have issued a stark warning to lawmakers, urging them to reject a new set of migration regulations. The professionals argue that the proposed rules would dangerously blur the lines between healthcare and border enforcement, risking a public health crisis.
The contentious legislation, scheduled for a key parliamentary vote, forms part of a wider EU strategy to increase the number of deportations of individuals without legal residency. A core provision would mandate member states to establish sweeping detection mechanisms to identify undocumented persons.
In a strongly-worded open letter, healthcare workers stated they “refuse to become instruments of immigration enforcement.” They warn that the vague language of the proposal could effectively transform schools, hospitals, shelters, and public transport into extensions of border control, fostering widespread racial profiling.
A primary concern is that the measures could require medical personnel to report patients based on their immigration status, violating core ethical principles of patient confidentiality and the right to safe care. The letter cautions that this would create a “climate of fear,” deterring vulnerable populations from seeking essential medical treatment, which in turn endangers overall public health.
“When people are afraid to access care, everyone’s health is at risk,” the letter states, pointing to negative precedents in countries like the United States and the United Kingdom. In the UK, policies requiring upfront charges for certain hospital care have already led to documented cases of migrants avoiding the National Health Service for fear of repercussions.
Advocacy groups have echoed these alarms for months. Dozens of human rights organizations have previously condemned the plans, arguing they would institutionalize a system of “racialised suspicion, denunciation, detention and deportation.” United Nations experts have also raised multiple flags, questioning the proposals’ compatibility with international human rights law.
The healthcare professionals’ letter further highlights the regulation’s potential to significantly increase detention, including of children, both within Europe and in external facilities. It details the severe and lasting health consequences of detention, such as infectious disease outbreaks, profound mental health trauma, and increased suicide risk, emphasizing that detaining children is unequivocally prohibited under international law.
The campaign, coordinated by the medical humanitarian network Médecins du Monde, is a direct appeal to EU institutions. “Migration enforcement cannot come at the expense of the right to health,” said a representative for the group. “The EU must ensure that its migration policies protect public health, uphold medical ethics, and guarantee safe access to healthcare for all, regardless of migration status.”
The upcoming vote is seen as a critical juncture before final negotiations between EU bodies begin, setting the stage for a pivotal debate on the balance between border security and fundamental human rights.
