WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) applauded passage of House Resolution 1153 – Condemning unwanted, unnecessary medical procedures on individuals without their full, informed consent. The resolution follows a disturbing whistleblower report and complaint alleging a number of immigrants detained at Irwin County ICE Detention center in Georgia were forced to undergo medically unnecessary hysterectomies and other painful gynecological procedures without their knowledge or consent.

“Forced sterilization is a cruel tool of white supremacy with a long, abominable history in this country,” said Congresswoman Pressley. “Individuals in government custody being forced to undergo hysterectomies without their knowledge or consent is an atrocious, unconscionable violation of their most basic human rights. This resolution sends a powerful message that Congress will not stand by while these atrocities are carried out in our name.

“We must continue to investigate these grave injustices, we must protect the women who have stepped forward to share their harrowing accounts and we must protect Dawn Wooten, the brave nurse and whistleblower who helped shed light on these atrocities. There must be accountability and justice for these victims.”

Congresswoman Pressley was among the first Members of Congress to call for a Congressional investigationinto the whistleblower report of “mass hysterectomies” at ICDC in Georgia last month. Additionally, she joined more than 170 of her colleagues in demanding the Department of Homeland Security’s Inspector General (DHS OIG)also launch an investigation. On September 22^nd the DHS OIG announced a formal investigation into the allegations and conditions at ICDC.

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