Detainees say that despite a U.S. House of Representatives resolution, public outrage over unsolicited gynecological surgeries and poor medical care, there is little change at Irwin. Women with serious medical conditions continue to be ignored and are threatened with isolation.

Ask Congress to End Medical Abuse and Retaliation perpetuated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and close the detention center.

The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed H. Res. 1153, a resolution “condemning unwanted, unnecessary medical procedures on individuals without their full informed consent” and asking for greater accountability and oversight to protect people in the custody of ICE. The resolution also called on the Department of Homeland Security to ensure those impacted by “could share their stories without fear of reprisal” Irwin County Detention Center in Ocilla, Georgia.  

Despite the U.S. House of Representatives’ scrutiny of ICE’s practices at Irwin, a woman complained that despite repeated calls to treat severe breathing problems, she was not given treatment for 15 minutes. And fearing that if she agreed to be placed under medical observation she might be in medical isolation and ignored if she was sick again, the woman preferred to be transferred to her dorm. She was also asked to sign documents without her full consent.

Due to little change in ICE’s behavior notwithstanding the U.S. House resolution and public outrage at ICE’s please send an email asking your member of Congress to urge ICE to use its discretion to release individuals detained at Irwin on humanitarian parole and close the facility.