A Venezuelan asylum seeker, Tangieth Paola Carrasquero Lopez, 23, who is currently held in ICE custody in Georgia, has expressed concerns about her medical treatment. She has reportedly not received necessary care for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). A doctor previously warned her that discontinuing her treatment could worsen her health condition.
Carrasquero Lopez was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during a scheduled immigration appointment in Atlanta on July 27. She sought help for abdominal pain but only received ibuprofen, not treatment for her underlying health conditions.
“They give you some pain medicine and see if it helps you, but they don’t call you a doctor,” she shared with Newsweek.
Medical Needs and Agency Response
A Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokesperson informed Newsweek that Carrasquero Lopez “denied having any medical needs, such as any pain, possible pregnancy, mental-health, or other urgent needs” during her intake screening. She also reportedly “denied taking any medication.” Later, she tested positive for polycystic syndrome and was placed on a chronic care list for medical attention.
Carrasquero Lopez has been diagnosed with hepatic steatosis, obesity, and polycystic ovary syndrome. A letter from a Georgia gastroenterologist, Arnaldo Jimenez, emphasizes the importance of ongoing treatment and monitoring to maintain her health.
The doctor did not describe the conditions as immediately life-threatening but warned about potential adverse effects on her weight management, metabolic health, and PCOS if her treatment was interrupted. He recommended that Carrasquero Lopez receive access to prescribed medication and care while detained.
“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,” Jimenez wrote.
Legal History and Detention Conditions
A DHS spokesperson reported that Carrasquero Lopez had been charged with driving without a license in Georgia on June 14, 2023. Records show she has traffic-related violations from a single incident that year, where an initial charge was later reduced.
ICE states it provides medical, dental, and mental-health screenings within the first 12 hours of a detainee’s arrival and full health assessments within 14 days, along with access to medical and emergency care.
Carrasquero Lopez is currently detained at the Irwin County Detention Center in Ocilla, Georgia, which was previously under scrutiny for alleged medical abuses. Although investigations found no unnecessary hysterectomies, they did document issues related to informed consent and basic medical care.
Carrasquero Lopez expressed concerns about her detention’s impact on her health. “I worry a lot because the food they give you is pure carbohydrate,” she said, noting her doctor advised against such a diet. She continues to experience unexplained pain.
Family and Ongoing Asylum Case
Her partner, Andres, who requested anonymity, stated Carrasquero Lopez consistently attended required immigration appointments and her asylum case is still pending. She entered the U.S. in 2021, seeking asylum, and was granted Temporary Protected Status in 2024. She received work authorization through 2030.
“We don’t understand why they are detaining her,” Andres told Newsweek. “She went to every immigration appointment, has a pending asylum case, and no deportation order.”
Carrasquero Lopez had plans for her future, with a job offer from a Georgia automation company and scheduled English-language classes. Andres, her partner of nearly eight years, stated she is experiencing significant emotional distress due to her current situation.
DHS affirmed that Carrasquero Lopez will remain in custody pending any removal proceedings, where she will receive “full due process.” For further details, Newsweek editors Matthew Robinson and Robert Greenall can be contacted.
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