Senator Tammy Duckworth Urges ICE to Stop Using Hines VA Hospital Parking Lot in Strongly Worded Letter

Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) has called on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to immediately cease the use of the Edward Hines Jr. Veterans Administration Hospital parking lot in Maywood, Illinois, as a staging area for enforcement activities. In a sharply worded letter sent to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary and VA officials, Duckworth argued that the practice undermines the hospital’s mission of serving veterans and creates an atmosphere of fear for patients and their families.

The issue has sparked local concern, raising questions about the intersection of immigration enforcement and the sanctity of federal health facilities. Duckworth’s intervention underscores a broader national debate over how immigration enforcement should be conducted, particularly in sensitive locations such as schools, churches, and hospitals.

Background: Why the VA Parking Lot Is at the Center of Controversy

The Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital is one of the largest veteran medical facilities in the Midwest, providing care to thousands of former service members each year. For many veterans, the hospital represents not only a place of healing but also a safe space where they can access essential medical services without intimidation.

Reports emerged earlier this year that ICE agents had been using parts of the Hines VA Hospital parking lot to assemble and prepare for enforcement actions in the Chicago area. While ICE has not confirmed the extent of these operations, community members and hospital staff expressed alarm, saying the presence of immigration officers near the facility created an intimidating environment.

For veterans who may have immigrant family members, the situation felt particularly fraught. “It sends a chilling message,” one veterans’ advocacy group noted. “A VA hospital should be about care and trust, not fear and surveillance.”

Duckworth’s Letter to DHS and the VA

In her letter, Duckworth urged DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and VA Secretary Denis McDonough to put an immediate stop to the practice. She described the use of VA facilities for immigration enforcement as “inappropriate, unnecessary, and disrespectful” to those who rely on the hospital for care.

“As a combat veteran and someone who depends on the VA health system myself, I find it unacceptable that ICE would stage enforcement activities in a space intended to provide sanctuary and healing to veterans,” Duckworth wrote. “Our nation’s commitment to veterans must not be compromised by unrelated federal enforcement operations.”

Duckworth, who lost both legs during her service in Iraq, has long been a prominent advocate for veterans’ rights. Her statement carried particular weight given her own reliance on VA services.

ICE’s Sensitive Locations Policy

Under federal guidelines, ICE has historically recognized “sensitive locations” where enforcement actions should be avoided except in extraordinary circumstances. These locations typically include schools, places of worship, hospitals, and public demonstrations.

However, critics argue that the guidelines leave room for interpretation, especially regarding facilities like VA hospitals that are federal property. While ICE has stated in the past that it prioritizes public safety and avoids unnecessary confrontations in sensitive spaces, the situation at Hines VA has drawn fresh scrutiny.

Immigration advocates contend that the presence of ICE near a hospital not only discourages undocumented family members from seeking care but also erodes public trust in federal institutions. “It creates the perception that even the VA, which should be above politics, is being used as an enforcement tool,” said one Chicago-based immigration attorney.

Reactions From Veterans’ Groups and Local Leaders

Veterans’ organizations across Illinois have echoed Duckworth’s concerns, emphasizing that hospitals must remain apolitical spaces focused on healthcare. The American Legion’s Illinois chapter released a statement saying, “Our veterans deserve care without distraction or intimidation. The idea that ICE is using a VA parking lot for operations is incompatible with that mission.”

Local leaders, including members of the Illinois congressional delegation, have also begun pressing DHS for clarification. Representative Jesús “Chuy” García (D-Ill.) called the reports “deeply troubling” and demanded assurances that immigrant families would not face unnecessary risks when accompanying loved ones to medical appointments.

Community activists in Maywood have staged small demonstrations near the hospital, urging ICE to respect the sanctity of healthcare facilities. “This isn’t about politics—it’s about humanity,” one organizer said.

ICE’s Response and Broader Implications

So far, ICE has not publicly commented on the specific allegations regarding the Hines VA Hospital parking lot. The agency has previously defended its operational practices, noting that logistical staging often requires access to large and secure spaces. Still, the political pushback led by Duckworth increases pressure on ICE to clarify its policies.

The controversy highlights a growing tension between immigration enforcement and public perception. If ICE is seen as intruding into spaces designated for health and care, it risks damaging community cooperation and undermining its broader mission.

Beyond Illinois, the debate could have national implications. Lawmakers may push to expand the definition of “sensitive locations” to explicitly include veterans’ hospitals, ensuring that similar disputes do not arise elsewhere.

What Comes Next

Duckworth’s letter is unlikely to be the final word on the matter. DHS and VA officials will now face questions not only from Illinois lawmakers but also from congressional committees overseeing veterans’ affairs and homeland security. Hearings could be convened to investigate whether ICE’s actions violated existing federal guidelines.

Advocacy groups are also expected to use the controversy to push for stronger protections around sensitive locations. By elevating the issue at the national level, Duckworth has ensured that the intersection of immigration enforcement and veterans’ healthcare will remain in the spotlight in the coming months.

Conclusion

Senator Tammy Duckworth’s demand that ICE halt its use of the Hines VA Hospital parking lot underscores the delicate balance between national security enforcement and the responsibility to protect sacred spaces of care. Her intervention draws on her personal credibility as a veteran and her role as a policymaker, amplifying the voices of both veterans and immigrant families.

Whether ICE changes its practices remains to be seen, but the controversy has already prompted a critical conversation about how enforcement agencies operate in proximity to vulnerable communities. For veterans and their families in Illinois, the hope is that their hospital will remain a place of healing—free from the shadow of immigration enforcement.