An arrest in a clinic parking lot has Austin health providers and patients on edge.
CommUnityCare Health Centers says it is weighing how to respond after Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents detained a woman in the parking lot of a north-central clinic following a doctor’s appointment. The encounter, which unfolded just steps from a medical facility, prompted protesters to gather outside the Travis County administration building and has stirred fresh concern among patients who depend on the system for primary care. Clinic leaders and community organizers say the incident is already driving up no-shows and appointment cancellations.
The detention was confirmed at a Central Health board meeting, where trustees were told CommUnityCare is “looking at options” to protect patients and staff after the encounter outside the clinic. CommUnityCare leaders stressed the organization does not participate in immigration enforcement and said the person was detained after leaving a medical visit, according to KXAN.
Clinic leaders push back
At the board meeting, chief medical officer Dr. Nicholas Yagoda tried to draw a bright line between health care and immigration enforcement…