Pregnant Immigrant Women at a Group Meeting. Credit: The Women Post
As the fear of encountering federal immigration agents spreads through immigrant communities, health providers say the chilling effect of a sweeping federal immigration enforcement operation has disrupted access to time-sensitive care. The Department of Homeland Security has described the effort as its largest-ever immigration crackdown in the state. Although border enforcement official Tom Homan recently announced the operation is winding down after three months, the damage to patient confidence may linger.
Since December 1, clinics operated by Planned Parenthood North Central States have recorded a sharp rise in missed appointments. According to CEO Ruth Richardson.
The no-show rate has climbed approximately 8.2 percent — a spike the organization directly links to the ongoing immigration enforcement climate.
“There is just a tremendous sense of fear in this moment,” Richardson said, noting the increase is the most significant the organization has seen in recent years.
Family Planning Visits Hit Hardest
Immigrant Couples at the Doctor Visits. Credit: The Women Post
The trend is particularly pronounced among patients scheduled for family planning services — a broad category that includes contraception visits, wellness exams, cancer screenings, and STI testing. However, providers report the impact is widespread, reaching even patients in the early weeks of pregnancy.
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Dr. Sarah Traxler, the organization’s chief medical officer, warned that delays in abortion care can quickly escalate medical complexity and cost.
“Abortion is very safe,” Traxler explained. “But the longer someone waits, especially into the second trimester, the more complicated and expensive the procedure can become.”
Policy Shift Raises Alarm
Providers say the situation worsened after the Trump administration rolled back a prior policy from the Biden administration that had discouraged immigration enforcement actions at or near healthcare facilities.
Richardson reported that immigration agents have been seen in close proximity to Planned Parenthood locations and briefly appeared at one health center. While another provider, Whole Woman’s Health, has not reported agents on site, its clinics sit near apartment complexes that have been targeted in the broader operation.
“Everyone is concerned — our patients and our staff,” Richardson said.
Aftercare Visits Also Declining
The fear is not limited to initial appointments. Providers say some patients are skipping critical follow-up visits after medication abortions — appointments that confirm the procedure was successful.
Although complications from abortion are rare, Traxler warned that untreated issues such as excessive bleeding or infection can become dangerous if ignored.
“These situations are usually manageable in outpatient care,” she said. “But if treatment is delayed, they can become life-threatening.”
Advocacy groups are seeing similar patterns. Our Justice, a local abortion fund, has recorded a notable decline in requests for financial assistance.
Executive director Shayla Walker said 82 people sought funding in January, down from 131 during the same month the previous year — a drop she attributes to fear within immigrant communities.
Telehealth Expands — But Has Limits
In response, providers are promoting telehealth abortion services that allow eligible patients in the first trimester to receive medication by mail and complete the process at home.
“That is a really safe option for people who are homebound,” she said. “But many people don’t realize it exists.”
Still, telehealth is not a universal solution. Patients in the second trimester must undergo in-person procedures. Others may prefer clinic-based care or face safety concerns receiving abortion medication at home, particularly if they cannot safely disclose their situation to partners or family members.
Cancer Screenings Raise Urgent Concerns
Cancer Screening. Credit: The Women Post
Providers say some of the most troubling delays involve cervical cancer follow-ups, which cannot be conducted remotely.
Traxler described two patients with high-grade abnormal screening results — findings that signal significant cancer risk — who have refused to return for in-person evaluation because of immigration fears.
“This is not something that waits for ICE,” she said. “In these cases, the need for follow-up is critical.”
Clinic escorts — volunteers who typically help patients navigate anti-abortion protests — are now receiving training on how to respond if immigration agents appear, including how to verify warrants and when to alert legal teams.
Meanwhile, with fewer abortion patients seeking services, Our Justice has broadened its work. The organization is now raising funds for menstrual products and diapers, helping coordinate rent assistance for people afraid to go to work, and even covering emergency medical costs for a pregnant client who delayed prenatal care due to immigration fears.
“We’ve always tried to meet the community where it is,” Walker said. “Right now, the needs are evolving quickly.”
