ICE Plans to Give Officers Gloves That Can Deliver Electric Shocks

A 23-year-old Venezuelan asylum seeker detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Georgia claims she has not received proper medical treatment for her polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) since her arrest. Tangieth Paola Carrasquero Lopez, who is currently held at the Irwin County Detention Center in Ocilla, Georgia, told Newsweek that despite experiencing severe abdominal pain following her detention on July 27, she was only given over-the-counter pain relief and no further care for her underlying medical conditions. Carrasquero Lopez described how she sought assistance after being detained during a routine immigration check-in in Atlanta. While she was eventually administered ibuprofen, she said she was not referred to a physician or given treatment for her PCOS, which she explained requires ongoing care. “They give you some pain medicine and see if it helps you, but they don’t call you a doctor,” she said. According to a statement from a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokesperson, Carrasquero Lopez denied having any medical needs during her initial intake screening, including pain, potential pregnancy, mental health concerns, or other urgent issues. The spokesperson noted that she later tested positive for PCOS and was placed on a chronic care list for an initial medical visit. Medical documents obtained by Newsweek reveal that Carrasquero Lopez has been diagnosed with several health conditions, including hepatic steatosis, obesity, and PCOS. A letter from a Georgia gastroenterologist, Arnaldo Jimenez, emphasized that these conditions necessitate continuous monitoring and treatment. He noted that Carrasquero Lopez had previously been receiving treatment with Tirzepatide, a medication used for managing diabetes and obesity, prior to her detention. Jimenez expressed concern over the interruption of her care and warned that discontinuing treatment could lead to worsening symptoms, particularly regarding her weight management, metabolic health, and PCOS. He urged authorities to provide her with access to prescribed medications and regular medical care while in custody to safeguard her well-being. “I respectfully request that her medical needs be taken into consideration and that she be provided with access to the necessary medical care and prescribed medication while she remains in custody, in order to help prevent complications and protect her overall health,” Jimenez wrote. The DHS spokesperson confirmed that ICE offers medical, dental, and mental-health screenings within 12 hours of a detainee’s arrival at a facility. Full health assessments are conducted within 14 days, and detainees are made available for medical appointments and emergency care as needed. Carrasquero Lopez’s legal troubles began in June 2023, when she was charged with driving without a license in Gwinnett County, Georgia. Court records indicate that the initial charge was later reduced, and she ultimately pleaded guilty to traffic offenses including failing to carry her driver’s license and driving without required headlights. The Irwin County Detention Center, where Carrasquero Lopez is currently held, gained national scrutiny in 2020 due to a whistleblower complaint alleging an unusually high number of hysterectomies and other medical abuses among immigrant detainees. Investigations found no evidence of mass or unnecessary hysterectomies, though they identified excessive and often unnecessary gynecological procedures, insufficient informed consent, and major lapses in medical care. A federal judge concluded that there was no evidence of mass or unusually high numbers of hysterectomies at the facility. Carrasquero Lopez has voiced concerns about the effect of her detention on her health. She mentioned that the food provided to detainees is primarily composed of carbohydrates, which she was advised against consuming. “I worry a lot because the food they give you is pure carbohydrate,” she said. “The doctor told me that I couldn’t handle that, and that’s all I’m eating.”