Shannon Gleeson

Professor of Labor Relations, Law & History

Shannon Gleeson is a professor in Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations. She says the push to extend immigration enforcement powers to state and local officials is increasingly targeting “safe spaces” such as schools, churches, and hospitals.

Gleeson says:

“This trend raises significant concerns for equitable treatment and puts front-line workers in a difficult situation regarding their professional obligations, such as rendering life-saving aid.

“This expansion of immigration enforcement powers creates a chilling effect on healthcare access and is a detriment to the public health of communities as a whole.

“The impacts span far beyond the well-being of unauthorized immigrants, and include the millions of members in mixed status families (including U.S. born children) who also feel the impacts of expanded immigration enforcement efforts.”