172 Congress Members Formally Condemn Forced, Unneccessary Medical Procedures At Georgia ICE Center

Three Georgia-based Democratic Congress members signed a U.S. House Resolution on Friday condemning numerous reports of unnecessary medical procedures — including hysterectomies — being performed on immigrant women without their consent.

The news comes as Congressional Hispanic Caucus members and members of the House Judiciary Committee travel to the detention center Saturday to investigate Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Irwin County Detention Center in Ocilla.

Two Georgia Republicans, Reps. Doug Collins and Austin Scott, sent their own letter Thursday, questioning the veracity of the allegations and the motivations of Project South and the whistleblower, Dawn Wooten.

"Project South’s claims as fact, despite the increasing evidence demonstrating Ms. Wooten’s claims are, at best, exaggerated and, at worst, completely fabricated," the representatives said in their letter.

In Friday's letter of condemnation, 172 members of Congress signed the initiative led by U.S. Reps. Pramila Jayapal of Washington, Annie Kuster of New Hampshire and Texas-based Reps. Sheila Jackson Lee Sylvia Garcia and Lois Frankel.

The three Georgia-based Democrats who signed are Reps. Sanford Bishop, Hank Johnson and Lucy McBath.

“An initial review of available medical records by independent gynecologists raises serious questions about whether patients detained at the Irwin County Detention Center were provided informed consent and whether the facility adhered to prevailing standards of care,” the lawmakers said in their resolution. “These allegations indicate a failure by ICE to conduct rigorous oversight to protect the health and safety of people in its custody.”

The resolution condemns the alleged performing of unwanted and unnecessary medical procedures without the full, informed consent of individuals. It also recognizes that everyone deserves to control their own reproductive choices and make informed choices about their bodies.

Additionally, the resolution says that further accountability, oversight and transparency is necessary to protect people in the custody of ICE.