Rep. Al Green Advocates for Medical Care for Transgender Immigrants in ICE Custody
On Thursday, Rep. Al Green (D-TX) held a press conference advocating for the provision of hormones and specialized medical care for transgender immigrants held in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody.
Green was joined by members of the Houston LGBTQ+ Political Caucus and the Montrose Center, discussing what they described as the “maltreatment of transgender immigrants.”
During the conference, Green read a letter addressed to Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, expressing serious concerns regarding the treatment of transgender individuals in detention.
“Dear Secretary Mullin, I write to express my deep concern over reports of hazardous conditions for transgender immigrants in Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facilities, resulting from deliberate agency policies,” he read, highlighting critical issues faced by these detainees.
He pointed out that these policies involved the denial of medical care and the withdrawal of protections for transgender individuals in custody.
“In recent months, the federal government has halted the provision of specialized medical care for transgender detainees in at least 10 detention centers across the nation, which experts warn could lead to physical and mental health complications,” he noted.
Green also called attention to the Trump administration’s decision to reverse a Biden-era policy designed to allocate specific detention units for transgender women. He remarked that these women are now incarcerated alongside men or placed in solitary confinement, raising further concerns.
Daron Perez, who coordinates the TransWellness program at the Montrose Center, emphasized the importance of ensuring transgender immigrants maintain access to hormones.
“Transgender immigrants should not have to wonder, ‘Will I receive my hormones? Will my identity be respected? Will I be safe? Will anybody care?’” Perez stated, asserting that detention should not strip individuals of their dignity or access to essential medical care.
Green drew a parallel between providing medical care to detainees and that given to bank robbers or enemy combatants.
“In this country, if we can provide aid and comfort to the bank robber, to the person who’s engaged in mortal combat with Americans, we surely can provide aid and comfort to persons who have committed no crimes, who are in the care, custody, and control of the government. And who need medical attention,” he commented.
He added, “Medical attention should not be denied any person, especially because of who you happen to be. We cannot allow the exception to this to become persons who are associated with the trans community.”
