A Venezuelan asylum seeker, Tangieth Paola Carrasquero Lopez, currently detained in Georgia by ICE, shared concerns with Newsweek about her medical treatment. Arrested during a scheduled immigration appointment, she suffers from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) without receiving necessary care despite medical warnings.
Carrasquero Lopez, 23, reported seeking help for abdominal pain after her detention and was provided with ibuprofen but no treatment related to her condition. She expressed dissatisfaction with the care, stating, “They give you some pain medicine and see if it helps you, but they don’t call you a doctor.”
“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,” the doctor wrote.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) claimed Carrasquero Lopez initially denied any medical needs during her intake screening but later tested positive for PCOS and was added to a chronic care list for evaluation. Documents reviewed reveal she has diagnoses of hepatic steatosis, obesity, and PCOS, previously receiving treatment from gastroenterologist Arnaldo Jimenez with Tirzepatide. Jimenez emphasized the necessity of continuous treatment for her health stability.
DHS representatives mentioned procedures for detainee care involving medical screenings within 12 hours of arrival and comprehensive health assessments within 14 days at facilities like the Irwin County Detention Center in Ocilla, Georgia. This center had scrutiny in 2020 with allegations of medical abuses, including unnecessary procedures, later found unsubstantiated by federal investigations.
Despite regulations, Carrasquero Lopez voiced concerns about the carbohydrate-heavy diet’s impact on her health, attributing ongoing discomfort and pain to the conditions and expressing anxiety over potential health escalation.
Her partner, Andres, indicated repeated requests for medication due to abdomen pain, having raised apprehensions about her inability to continue pre-detention treatments.
The context falls amid rising criticism of medical care inadequacy in U.S. detention facilities exacerbated by growing detainee numbers under strict immigration policies. Officials insist detainees receive necessary medical attention.
Her asylum and immigration status remain precarious, with Carrasquero Lopez entering the U.S. in 2021 seeking refuge. She has complied with all immigration requirements without any deportation orders issued.
Pending Temporary Protected Status in 2024 and a work permit valid until 2030, her future plans included starting English classes and a senior helper job at $24 an hour at a Georgia automation company, derailed by the detention.
Her partner describes their eight-year relationship’s emotional toll, with DHS confirming continued custody during removal proceedings, affirming due process rights.