Palantir Gets Millions of Dollars From New York City’s Public Hospitals

February 16, 2026 - 05:53

Activists and community groups are escalating calls for New York City's public hospital system to sever its multi-million dollar contract with the data analytics firm Palantir. The controversy stems from Palantir's separate, well-documented work with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The current contract, held by NYC Health + Hospitals, is reported to be worth millions and is intended for data management software to help coordinate patient care and streamline hospital operations. Officials have defended the partnership, stating the technology is crucial for improving efficiency within the nation's largest municipal health system.

However, critics argue that by funding Palantir, the city's public hospitals are indirectly supporting federal immigration enforcement policies they say terrorize the very communities the hospitals are meant to serve. They contend that profiting from a company linked to family separations and deportations is ethically incompatible with the hospitals' mission of providing care to all, regardless of immigration status.

The growing pressure places hospital administrators in a difficult position, balancing the practical benefits of a powerful software platform against significant moral and political concerns from patient advocates and the public. The debate highlights the increasing scrutiny on government contracts with technology firms involved in contentious federal programs.