Updated Guidance: Responding to Immigration Enforcement in Health Care Settings January 16, 2026 Hot Topics Updated Guidance: Responding to Immigration Enforcement in Health Care Settings ACCMA has updated its guidance for physicians and medical practices responding to immigration enforcement activity in health care settings to reflect changes in California law enacted in 2025 (SB 81). The updated guidance builds on our prior recommendations and clarifies new legal protections and requirements affecting clinical practices. Read the guidance here. The updated guidance includes: Clearer limits on when and how patient immigration-related information may be documented or disclosed, consistent with new state confidentiality protections Updated standards for responding to warrants, subpoenas, and court orders, including which legal orders require compliance New requirements for designating nonpublic areas of health care facilities and limiting immigration enforcement access to those areas Clarified staff roles and escalation procedures when immigration enforcement officers request access to patients, facilities, or records Continued emphasis on trauma-informed care and the health impacts of detention and family separation ACCMA encourages practices to review the updated guidance and ensure internal protocols and staff training reflect these changes. Please contact ACCMA with any questions or requests for additional information.