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Congresswoman Sylvia R. Garcia Issues Statement In Response To The Biden Administration’s Decision to Close Detention Centers in Georgia and Massachusetts

May 20, 2021

Contact: Daniela Campos Lopez – daniela.campos@mail.house.gov - +1 202 227 0330

Washington D.C.- Today, Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (TX-29) issued the following statement in response to the Biden Administration's decision to close the C. Carlos Carreiro Detention Center in North Dartmouth, Massachusetts and the Irwin County Detention Center in Ocilla, Georgia:

"I applaud Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas' announcement today to direct U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to close two detention centers with a history of migrant detainees subjected to unnecessary and unwanted medical procedures without their consent. During my visit to Irwin County Detention Center late last year, I heard allegations on one of the most horrific human rights violations I have ever seen, and sadly it was happening right here in our country. I joined many of my colleagues urging the previous administration to close the Irwin County ICE Detention Center. Today's announcement is a step forward to ensure migrant women are safe from invasive medical practices."

Last year, the House of Representatives passed a resolution condemning the unwanted, unnecessary medical procedures—including partial and full hysterectomies —performed on immigrant women without their full, informed consent at the private, for-profit Irwin County Detention Center in Ocilla, Ga. H.Res. 1153—co-sponsored by 225 members of Congress and led by U.S. Representatives Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Annie Kuster (NH-02), Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18), and Lois Frankel (FL-21)—also called on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to take a series of specific actions including immediately complying with all related investigations.

The resolution passed less than one week after members of the House Judiciary Committee and Congressional Hispanic Caucus led a Congressional Delegation to the Irwin County Detention Center. It was there that they heard firsthand from numerous women who had unnecessary gynecological procedures—including surgeries involving their reproductive organs—performed on them without their knowledge or consent. The resolution condemned this horrific practice. It also recognized that everyone deserves to control their own reproductive choices and make informed choices about their bodies.