Nation’s largest nurses union reaffirms calls for abolition of ICE

National Nurses United (NNU), the largest union of registered nurses in the United States, is today condemning the murder of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE). NNU maintains that the only way forward on this issue of fascist authoritarian violence is the abolition of ICE.

“ICE has continued to operate with deadly force and apparent complete impunity despite mass calls for their abolition,” said Puneet Maharaj, executive director of NNU. “Their ongoing campaign of lethal violence against everyday people is needlessly ending lives, causing harm, and endangering and terrifying the communities where we live, work, and take care of patients.”

A GoFundMe has been established to support Araujo’s family.

The Trump administration continues to spread terror in our communities by targeting innocent people of color and criminalizing dissent. From federal charges against anti-ICE protesters in Minnesota to sentencing protesters and activists in Texas to raiding the offices of non-profit organizations in Ohio, these coordinated attacks are aimed to undermine our democracy and strip away our freedoms. Nurses are committed to building the solidarity needed to protect our patients and communities from these escalating attacks by officials under the Trump administration.

NNU has consistently called for ICE’s abolition, and nurses have taken several actions to demand an end to this campaign of community harassment and endangerment.

NNU represents more than 225,000 nurses across the nation and advocates for policies and legislation that improve the lives of nurses and communities everywhere.

National Nurses United is the largest and fastest-growing union and professional association of registered nurses in the United States with more than 225,000 members nationwide. NNU affiliates include California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee, DC Nurses Association, Michigan Nurses Association, Minnesota Nurses Association, and New York State Nurses Association.