A Venezuelan asylum seeker detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Georgia has reported inadequate treatment for her health conditions. Tangieth Paola Carrasquero Lopez, 23, has not received care for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) despite medical recommendations. She experienced abdominal pain after being detained during a scheduled immigration appointment in Atlanta on July 27.
Carrasquero Lopez told Newsweek that she was only given ibuprofen for pain relief and has not been treated for her underlying health issues. “They give you some pain medicine and see if it helps you, but they don’t call you a doctor,” she explained.
A Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokesperson stated that Carrasquero Lopez initially denied having medical needs during intake screening. However, she tested positive for polycystic syndrome and was placed on a chronic care list for a medical visit.
Medical documents reviewed by Newsweek reveal Carrasquero Lopez has hepatic steatosis, obesity, and PCOS. Her previous healthcare provider, Georgia gastroenterologist Arnaldo Jimenez, indicated the need for ongoing treatment with Tirzepatide before her detention. Dr. Jimenez stressed that disruptions in care could harm her weight management, metabolic health, and PCOS symptoms. He requested that she be provided necessary medication and care while detained to prevent complications.
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, in order to help prevent complications and protect her overall health,” Dr. Jimenez wrote.
A DHS spokesperson reported Carrasquero Lopez was charged with driving without a license in Gwinnett County, Georgia, in June 2023. Court records showed traffic violations but no other criminal history.
DHS claimed ICE offers medical screenings within 12 hours of detainee arrival, full health assessments within 14 days, and access to medical appointments and emergency care. Carrasquero Lopez is currently held at Irwin County Detention Center in Ocilla, Georgia, a site previously scrutinized for medical care deficiencies.
Carrasquero Lopez expressed concerns about the impact of her detention on her health, citing a carbohydrate-heavy diet as problematic for her condition. “The doctor told me that I couldn’t handle that, and that’s all I’m eating here,” she stated. She reported ongoing pain and other symptoms without a clear cause.
Her partner, Andres, withheld his surname for safety reasons, mentioned Carrasquero Lopez’s repeated requests for medication and anxiety about continuing treatment for her existing conditions. The case highlights issues regarding medical care for immigrants in detention, with critics emphasizing pressure on healthcare systems for individuals with chronic conditions.
Carrasquero Lopez entered the United States in 2021, seeking asylum. She’s been compliant with all immigration requirements and her asylum application is pending. DHS confirmed her encounter with U.S. Customs and Border Protection in September 2021 and subsequent release by the Biden administration. Newsweek documents suggest she was granted Temporary Protected Status in 2024 and work authorization through 2030.
Andres expressed confusion over her detention, noting her compliance with immigration appointments and lack of a deportation order. Carrasquero Lopez had a job offer from a Georgia automation company and enrollment in English classes at Gwinnett Technical College before her detention. The couple, in a relationship for nearly eight years, reported significant emotional distress due to the situation.
DHS stated Carrasquero Lopez will remain in ICE custody pending removal proceedings, ensuring she receives “full due process.”