Alan D. Aviles, the president of the NYC Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC), and Fatima Shama, the Commissioner of Immigrant Affairs, stressed their promise to keep immigration status confidential at New York City hospitals.

In a letter, the HCC and the Office of Immigrant Affairs said that New Yorkers who need medical attention can go to public hospitals without fear of being detained by federal authorities, such as ICE.

The letter, which was published in 12 different languages and signed by both institutions, affirms complete respect for the right to privacy, and underscores the promise not to disclose the legal status of Mexican immigrants living in the Big Apple.

"New York has been known as a city of immigrants for generations, and public hospitals have treated the immigrant community for generations," said Aviles.

Fatima Shama said, "A thriving and healthy immigrant community is key to New York's continued growth. We are committed to providing much-needed quality services to everyone that lives in our city. I want to make it clear that we respect and we want to help everyone, no matter where they are from. Immigrants should feel safe going to any clinic or public hospital in New York."