A nurse at VCU Health has been fired after a series of social-media videos referencing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) prompted an internal investigation and police involvement.
The Richmond‑based health system issued two statements on January 27, confirming the employee had been placed on administrative leave and later terminated.
A report by Fox said that the videos included comments about ICE and references to a paralytic drug, sparking widespread online attention.
Why It Matters
VCU Health said the content of the videos was “highly inappropriate” and stressed that the remarks did not reflect its standards. In its first statement, the health system said: “We prioritize the health and safety of anyone who comes to us for care.”
There has been growing scrutiny of public‑facing workers posting politically charged content involving ICE or immigration enforcement. It also mirrors other recent disciplinary actions against nurses and teachers whose online comments triggered public backlash.
Earlier this month, a teacher was placed on leave after a pro‑ICE post, and a separate case involving a labor and delivery nurse whose comments about political spokesperson Karoline Leavitt also led to disciplinary review.
Baptist Health South Florida, the hospital that employed the nurse in this case, said in a statement: “The comments made in a social media video by a nurse at one of our facilities do not reflect our values or the standards we expect of healthcare professionals. Following a prompt review, the individual is no longer employed by our health system.”
What To Know
In its morning statement on January 27, VCU Health said it was aware of videos posted by an individual “confirmed to be an employee” of the system. The health system added: “The content of the videos is highly inappropriate and does not reflect the integrity or values of our health system.”
VCU Police assisted with the investigation, and the employee was immediately placed on administrative leave and kept out of all facilities.
Later that evening, VCU Health issued an update that the nurse in question was no longer employed by the company. In the statement, the company said: “Following an investigation, the individual involved in the social media videos is no longer employed by VCU Health. In addition, VCU Health has fulfilled its reporting requirements under Virginia state law.”
VCU also reiterated on X: “We prioritize the health and safety of anyone who comes to us for care.”
In videos reposted online that cannot be verified, the nurse appears to reference using paralytic drug on ICE agents, and included comments framed as “sabotage,” including using poison as forms of “resistance.”
What Happens Next
VCU Health has not released further details about the employee or the specific nature of the videos beyond its statements. When approached for further comment by Newsweek, VCU directed to its statement.
The company said it has fulfilled all reporting obligations required under Virginia law, and police involvement suggests a formal review of whether any conduct required additional action.
The incident adds to a growing pattern of disciplinary consequences tied to ICE‑related online posts, particularly for employees in health care and education.
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