VCU Nurse Placed on Leave After Posting Videos Urging Harm Against ICE Agents
RICHMOND, Va. — A nurse employed by Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Health has been placed on administrative leave following the emergence of a series of TikTok videos in which she allegedly instructed healthcare providers to use paralytic drugs and poison ivy as means to sabotage Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The posts, which have sparked alarm and prompted a police investigation, depict the nurse encouraging acts that federal authorities and the university deem highly inappropriate and potentially criminal.
VCU Health confirmed it is cooperating fully with the ongoing inquiry, emphasizing its commitment to patient safety and professional integrity. “We prioritize the health and safety of anyone who comes to us for care,” a spokesperson said. “The content of the videos is highly inappropriate and does not reflect the integrity or values of our health system.” The university police department is assisting with the investigation, and the nurse has been barred from hospital premises and patient contact during the review.
The videos reportedly feature the nurse discussing the use of paralytic agents—medications typically reserved for controlled medical settings—to incapacitate ICE agents. Additionally, she suggested contaminating food with poison ivy as a form of sabotage. Such actions, if carried out, could constitute serious violations of both state and federal law, including assault and interference with federal officers.
The Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency has not publicly commented on the specific videos but maintains a firm stance on protecting its personnel. ICE agents frequently engage in operations that involve the detention and deportation of undocumented immigrants, a mission that has drawn both support and criticism nationwide.
This incident comes amid heightened tensions surrounding immigration enforcement, with some activists and public employees expressing opposition to ICE’s activities. However, calls to employ harmful tactics against federal officers cross legal and ethical boundaries, raising concerns about the safety of law enforcement and healthcare environments.
The Department of Homeland Security, under which ICE operates, has protocols to address threats against its agents, and this case may prompt further federal involvement. Meanwhile, VCU Health has reiterated its zero-tolerance policy toward any conduct that endangers individuals or undermines public trust in healthcare professionals.
Legal experts note that healthcare providers hold a unique position of trust and responsibility, and misuse of medical knowledge to harm others could result in criminal charges and professional sanctions. The nurse’s actions, as depicted in the videos, could also violate hospital policies and state nursing board regulations.
VCU’s swift response to place the nurse on administrative leave aligns with standard procedures to ensure investigations proceed without interference and to protect patients and staff. The university has not disclosed the nurse’s identity, citing privacy considerations.
The incident has reignited debate over the role of healthcare workers in political activism, especially when it intersects with contentious issues such as immigration enforcement. Advocates for ICE agents emphasize the importance of maintaining law and order and ensuring the safety of officers who often operate in challenging environments.
As the investigation continues, VCU Health and local authorities are expected to determine whether the nurse’s conduct warrants disciplinary action or criminal charges. The case underscores the delicate balance between free expression and professional responsibility in the digital age.
For more information on federal law enforcement policies and protections, visit the Department of Homeland Security’s immigration enforcement page and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s regulations on workplace safety.
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