Trump Administration Plans to Reopen Georgia Jail Accused of Medical Abuse of Immigrant Women
The Trump administration is planning to detain immigrants at the Irwin County Detention Center in Ocilla,Georgia,a facility previously embroiled in allegations of non-consensual gynecological procedures performed on detained women,according to multiple sources.
An Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) spokesperson confirmed the agency will utilize the detention center, though they could not confirm if detentions had already begun. Attorneys and advocates familiar with ICE operations in Georgia report that temporary detentions at the facility began on Friday,based on communication with ICE officials.
Irwin County Detention Center gained national attention in the fall of 2020 following accusations from detained women and a whistleblower nurse detailing medical misconduct. The Biden administration ceased detaining immigrant women at the facility in 2021, prompting an 18-month examination by the Senate Subcommittee on Investigations. Their 2022 report concluded that “female detainees appear to have been subjected to excessive, invasive, and frequently enough needless gynecological procedures” and identified “repeated failures” to obtain informed consent for medical procedures performed on immigrant women held at Irwin.
The allegations also sparked legal battles, including a lawsuit filed in 2021 by fourteen women against ICE and Irwin officials. Over 40 women testified to experiencing medical misconduct, including non-consensual gynecological procedures. While the lawsuit was settled earlier this year with no admission of liability, and a federal judge dismissed many claims on procedural grounds in 2024, the accusations raised serious concerns.
A Georgia judge last year ruled that claims of “mass hysterectomies” performed by a doctor at Irwin were false in a defamation case. The Senate report corroborated this finding, stating the claims of mass hysterectomies were unsubstantiated, but emphasized that other gynecological procedures on immigrant women appeared to have been conducted without proper consent.
The renewed use of the facility has prompted alarm from immigration advocates and a former Department of Homeland Security civil rights official, who spoke to The Intercept anonymously, stating, “It’s inhumane.It’s so bad.” The official, who previously investigated conditions at Irwin, added that re-opening the facility for detentions is deeply concerning.
ICE Detention Center in Georgia Subjected Women to Unnecessary Gynecological Procedures
October 11,2025 – A new report reveals that women detained at the Irwin County Detention Center in Georgia underwent a pattern of non-consensual or poorly consented gynecological procedures,raising serious questions about medical ethics and human rights within Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facilities.
the investigation, based on interviews with former detainees and medical staff, details instances of hysterectomies, dilation and curettage (D&C) procedures, and other invasive gynecological interventions performed on women without adequate explanation of risks or alternatives. Several women reported feeling pressured into accepting these procedures, and some allege they did not fully understand the nature of the interventions.
“The allegations are deeply disturbing and demand a thorough and autonomous investigation,” said Azadeh N.Shahshahani, legal and advocacy director at Project South, a Georgia-based organization that advocates for immigrant rights. “This is not simply a matter of inadequate medical care; it appears to be a systematic pattern of abuse and disregard for the bodily autonomy of vulnerable women.”
the Irwin County Detention Center has been the subject of previous complaints regarding inadequate medical care and unsanitary conditions. In 2020, a whistleblower filed a complaint with the Department of Homeland Security detailing similar allegations of unnecessary gynecological procedures. That complaint sparked a congressional investigation, but advocates argue that the response has been insufficient.
ICE maintains that all medical care provided at its detention facilities meets established standards. However, critics point to the lack of independent oversight and the inherent power imbalance between detainees and medical providers as factors contributing to the alleged abuses.Detainees frequently enough fear retaliation if they refuse medical treatment or question the recommendations of medical staff.
The report highlights the particular vulnerability of immigrant women in detention, who may face language barriers, limited access to legal counsel, and fear of deportation. These factors can make it tough for them to advocate for their own medical needs and report instances of abuse.
Advocates are calling for a thorough investigation into the allegations, and also increased oversight of medical care provided in ICE detention facilities. They are also demanding that ICE implement policies to ensure that detainees are fully informed about their medical options and have the right to refuse treatment without fear of reprisal.
“This case underscores the urgent need for basic reforms to the immigration detention system,” Shahshahani added. “We must prioritize the health and well-being of detainees and ensure that their basic human rights are respected.”