House Democrats call for transgender immigrants to be released

More than 40 House Democrats have called for the release of transgender immigrant detainees in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody amid reports of heightened sexual and physical assault.

The effort was spearheaded by Representative Mike Quigley (D-Ill.). The letter was delivered on January 14.

In a press release, Quigley stated that LGBTQ+ immigrants are 97 times more likely to face sexual harassment and victimization in immigration detention than straight or cisgender immigrants, noting that two transgender women, Roxsana Hernandez Rodriguez and Johana Medina Léon, have died in ICE custody.