Rep. Craig Conducts Congressional Oversight of ICE Detention Centers, Visits Constituent Suffering from Ovarian Cyst Being Detained in Texas
Andrea Pedro-Francisco has been held in ICE custody, while suffering from an untreated ovarian cyst, since February 5th
EL PASO, TX – Today, as part of her continued efforts to get her constituent Andrea Pedro-Francisco released from ICE custody so that she can receive the care that she needs, U.S. Representative Angie Craig traveled to El Paso, TX to visit Pedro-Francisco and conduct oversight of two ICE detention facilities. Pedro-Francisco is currently being held at the El Paso Service Processing Center after having been detained at Camp East Montana.
During her visit, Rep. Craig toured both the El Paso Service Processing Center and Camp East Montana, the country’s largest migrant detention facility, which has been mired with reports of inhumane conditions, abuse and a recent measles outbreak. Rep. Craig also had the chance to speak with medical staff and meet with Pedro-Francisco to hear from her directly about her experience in detention. Andrea is living in immense pain, and despite an ultrasound performed by ICE’s medical team last week, which confirmed the cyst, she has still not been given a treatment plan or adequate care.
“We need [Andrea] to get the surgery that physicians in Minnesota, and now here, are saying that she needs,” said Rep Craig. “We prayed together, we talked about her hopes and her needs. She doesn't believe that physicians here are going to allow her to get the surgery. I refuse to accept that. I hope that the officials here will look at her most recent ultrasound, will review the massive amount of medical evidence that she needs the surgery and will allow her to get the care that she needs.”
Pedro-Francisco, a resident of Burnsville, MN was picked up by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on her way to work on February 5th. She was scheduled to have surgery for an ovarian cyst on February 11th, but instead, was sent to El Paso, where she has yet to receive adequate medical treatment. Her condition is worsening by the day and her petition for habeas corpus was recently denied.
Despite repeated efforts by Rep. Craig’s office to facilitate her release or, at a minimum, ensure she receives the necessary treatment while in detention, ICE officials have failed to provide Andrea with the proper care prescribed by her doctors in Minnesota. Rep. Craig is calling for Andrea’s release through humanitarian parole.
###