Statement from the American College of Nurse-Midwives Regarding Complaints of Unwarranted Hysterectomies Performed Without Consent at ICE Facilities

September 16, 2020 - Multiple news sources are reporting allegations of neglectful and harmful treatment of detained immigrant women at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Georgia, including hysterectomies performed that were unwarranted and without consent. The complaint by whistleblower Dawn Wooten, a licensed practical nurse, can be found here.

This news is traumatic for everyone, but especially for Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC). The United States has a tragic history of enslaved Black women being subjected to forced gynecological experimentation as well as more modern day experiences of reproductive rights abuses, such as forced sterilization in the BIPOC community. These allegations cause new trauma.

The American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) acknowledges the history of forced and coerced sterilizations in the United States and stands in solidarity with the entire BIPOC community recognizing the reproductive injustices they have experienced and continue to experience. As an organization whose members provide the full range of sexual and reproductive health care to people every day, we strongly oppose these shameful and deeply disturbing practices. We urge an immediate and robust investigation of these alleged charges regarding the treatment of ICE detainees.