A report from the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has shed light on alarming practices within Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Between 2019 and 2021, hysterectomies were performed on detained immigrants without proper medical justification.
The report analyzed six hysterectomies, finding that two lacked the necessary documentation to justify their medical necessity. Furthermore, in a sample of 227 major surgeries, 32% were approved by unqualified staff, such as nurses or nurse practitioners, instead of the required clinical directors.
This situation adds to previous complaints in Georgia, where detained women were subjected to unnecessary hysterectomies, raising public concern and calls for increased oversight in detention centers.
These findings raise serious questions about ethical and medical standards in the care of detained immigrants and the need for greater transparency and accountability in ICE’s practices.
