In an explosive complaint filed on September 14, an ICE whistleblower alleged that unwanted hysterectomies, a surgical operation that removes the uterus, were performed on immigrant women in ICE custody at a Georgia facility without their consent. The complaint is currently awaiting a full investigation by the Department of Homeland Security.
The whistleblower, Dawn Wooten, a nurse formerly employed at the Irwin County Detention Center (ICDC) in Georgia, maintained that while some women experienced medical conditions requiring hysterectomies, "everybody's uterus cannot be that bad."
The reported high rates of performed hysterectomies (including allegations from Wooten that "just about everybody" who sees a particular gynecologist gets a hysterectomy) were coupled with allegations that many detained women were not given "proper and informed consent" about the procedures they received. The New York Times was unable to verify that women at the facility had their uteruses removed without their consent.
The complaint also alleged other instances of "jarring medical neglect" at ICDC. This included allegations about a lack of adequate COVID-19 protocols, as well as a "general lack of medical care."
Asked for comment by Mashable, an ICE senior official performing the duties of director Tony Pham said:
"The recent allegations by the independent contracted employee raise some very serious concerns that deserve to be investigated quickly and thoroughly. ICE welcomes the efforts of both the Office of Inspector General as well as the Department of Homeland Security’s parallel review. As a former prosecutor, individuals found to have violated our policies and procedures should be held accountable. If there is any truth to these allegations, it is my commitment to make the corrections necessary to ensure we continue to prioritize the health, welfare, and safety of ICE detainees."
In response to the complaint, more than 170 Democratic Congress members signed a letter to the Department of Homeland Security's Inspector General, Joseph Cuffari, requesting an "immediate investigation" of the allegations.
"Everyone, regardless of their immigration status, their language, or their incarceration deserves to control their own reproductive choices, and make informed choices about their bodies," the letter read, noting that the allegations "cause grave concern for the violation of the bodily autonomy and reproductive rights of detained people."
For many, the allegations of unwanted hysterectomies brought forth by Wooten tracked with a longer, disturbing history in the U.S. of compulsory (or forced) sterilization, which refers to government programs and policies that remove reproductive abilities. Between 1907 and 1937, 32 states legalized sterilization procedures. In different forms, the practice has continued: The Center for Investigative Reporting found that nearly 150 women were sterilized in California prisons between 2006 and 2010, without the state's approval.
In the U.S., these practices have often been tied to eugenics, and targeted women of color, incarcerated people, and people with disabilities.
Here are some resources, many of which were shared in this Instagram post from Aurelie Colon, to support those fighting back against unwanted hysterectomies and other abuses.
1. Educate yourself on the history of forced sterilization
Forced sterilization has a much, much longer history in the U.S. than the allegations surfaced on Sep. 14. Even since the initial complaint, more women have come forward alleging unwanted surgeries and medical procedures that occurred while at the ICDC.
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Representatives from United We Dream, a leading immigration organization, told Mashable that people should look into resources to educate themselves on the history of forced sterilization and its role as a tool of white supremacy.
A United We Dream representative recommends resources like this Twitter thread from the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice, a reproductive justice organization, as well as other deep dives from reputable outlets that they find elsewhere, like this piece from PBS.
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2. Support the GoFundMe for Dawn Wooten
Jordan Ifueko, an author, launched a GoFundMe in order to raise money for the installment of a security feature at Wooten's home, as well as six or more months of private security. Ifueko's GoFundMe states if Wooten "needs the funds for something else, such as a legal team or even everyday support after giving up her job to reveal this corruption, she is free to use the funds as she wishes."
A GoFundMe representative, as well as Wooten's representatives as a whistleblower, the Government Accountability Project and Project South, have confirmed that Wooten is the sole beneficiary of the GoFundMe, and funds will go directly to her.
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3. Look for protests in your area
Immigration or other social justice organizations might be organizing protests in your area against ICE and its treatment of detained people in response to the latest allegations. United We Dream representatives recommend looking for protests, and using them as an opportunity to also educate yourself on the larger context of how ICE has operated.
You can use Mashable's past coverage of locating protests to help you out. The advice was written in the context of Black Lives Matter protests for George Floyd, but stands if you change relevant search terms (ICE, ICE detention, forced sterilization) and look into local advocacy groups that have organized protests concerning ICE or immigration issues before.
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4. Support organizations defending detained women in Georgia
Four nonprofits filed the complaint on behalf of the detained immigrants and Wooten: Project South, an organization that promotes grassroots action for racial and economic justice in the South, South Georgia Immigrant Support Network, Georgia Latino Alliance for Human Rights (GLAHR), and Georgia Detention Watch.
You can support the organizations in a variety of ways. A representative for Project South asks that people first share the story of Wooten and those detained at Irwin on social media.
You can also donate to Project South here. Their representative maintains the funds "will support the collaborative, grassroots fight for long-term justice for immigrant and Black women who are brave enough to call out these atrocities."
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A representative for the South Georgia Immigrant Support Network (SGISN) told Mashable over email that the organization is currently supporting those detained at ICDC and their loved ones, primarily with "commissary support (for phone calls, stamps, hygiene supplies, extra food, and/or to have travel funds if deported or released) and lace-up shoes."
SGISN does not have an online donation option, but checks made out to the SGISN can be mailed to SGISN, P.O. Box 1966, Tifton, GA 31793.
A Georgia Detention Watch representative points to this petition as a way for people to support the organization's work. (The other organizations listed here, as well as Detention Watch Network, are co-sponsors.)
Their representative suggested donations be made through its fiscal sponsor, Project South, and to their coalition partner, Georgia Latino Alliance for Human Rights (GLAHR). An attorney with GLAHR has already initiated one fundraising campaign for a woman, Pauline Binam, who was allegedly harmed by medical procedures at ICDC. The GDW representative told Mashable over email that the groups are working on "several fundraisers for affected women, but most of the cases are not yet fully public," though the group is "hoping to have more [fundraisers up] by the end of this week."
Mashable is waiting for a response from GLAHR. We will update the story as needed.
5. Understand the big picture
Even as the recent allegations have alerted many people to abuse faced by immigrant detainees in ICE custody, a representative for United We Dream maintains that patterns of abuse within ICE detention centers were already known.
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Because of existing instances of abuse, as well as the new allegations, groups like United We Dream and Project South are calling for the abolishment of ICE, which was founded in 2003.
United We Dream representatives suggest signing this petition from their organization, which calls for ICE to let detainees go.
UPDATE: Sep. 21, 2020, 5:51 p.m. EST The original story did not convey all of the donation options that Georgia Detention Watch recommends. Additional comment from a Georgia Detention Watch representative supplemented the initial description.
UPDATE: Sep. 22, 2020, 10:23 a.m. EST The original version of the story used a shortened name for the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice. The story has been updated to include its full name.
Topics Social Good Immigration
