Al Green Demands Taxpayer-Funded Trans Treatments for Illegal Aliens in ICE Custody [WATCH]

Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, called for continued access to specialized medical care for transgender immigrants held in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities during a press conference Thursday in Houston, as reported by The Gateway Pundit.

Green appeared with representatives from the Houston LGBTQ+ Political Caucus and the Montrose Center to discuss what they described as concerns involving transgender immigrants in ICE detention.

Green’s office announced the event ahead of the Sept. 10 press conference, saying it would address concerns about the treatment of transgender immigrants in federal custody.

The congressman’s appearance followed a Sept. 4 communication to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin.

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In that letter, Green raised concerns about the reported denial of specialized medical care and changes involving protections for transgender detainees, according to his office.

During the Houston event, Green said the federal government should not deny medical attention to people in its custody based on their identity.

“We cannot allow people to be punished because of who they are. I have had a history of experiencing this type of punishment simply because the color of my skin,” Green said at the beginning of the press conference.

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Green also read from his letter to Mullin, describing what he called “hazardous conditions” for transgender immigrants in ICE detention facilities.

He attributed those conditions in part to what he characterized as agency policies involving medical care and protections for transgender detainees.

In his remarks, Green said that specialized medical care for transgender detainees had been halted in at least 10 cities and argued that the absence of such treatment could result in health complications.

“In recent months, the federal government has halted the provision of specialized medical care for transgender detainees in at least 10 essential cities across the nation, which experts have warned can cause physical and mental health complications,” Green said.

Green also criticized the Trump administration over a Biden-era policy involving detention units for transgender women.

According to Green, the administration ended the policy that had reserved certain units for transgender women. He said transgender women in detention had subsequently been placed with men or in solitary confinement.

The congressman compared medical care for detainees with medical treatment provided to other people held in government custody.

“In this country, if you engage in mortal combat with us, and if we should wound you, we will give you aid and comfort, knowing that you were there to try to take the lives of American people. In this country, if we can provide aid and comfort to the bank robber, to the person who’s engaged in mortal combat with Americans, we surely can provide aid and comfort to persons who have committed no crimes, who are in the care, custody, and control of the government, and who need medical attention,” Green said.

“Medical attention should not be denied any person, especially because of who you happen to be. We treat persons with other illnesses and other health needs on a regular basis in places of incarceration. We cannot allow the exception to this to become persons who are associated with the trans community.”

Daron Perez, the TransWellness program coordinator at the Montrose Center, also spoke during the event.

Perez discussed the case of an individual described as a transgender Latino community leader who reportedly did not receive testosterone treatments while in ICE custody.

“Transgender immigrants should not have to wonder: Will I receive my hormones? Will my identity be respected? Will I be safe? Will anybody care? Being detained should never mean losing your dignity, your safety, or access to necessary medical care,” Perez said.

Green’s office described the event as an effort to address concerns regarding the treatment of transgender immigrants in ICE detention facilities.

The congressman’s office also confirmed that Brandon Mack, president of the Houston LGBTQ+ Political Caucus, and Avery Belyeu, chief executive officer of the Montrose Center, participated in the event alongside Green and Perez.

The issue comes amid broader disagreements over immigration enforcement and policies governing medical care for people held in federal detention.

Green has separately been critical of the Trump administration and ICE in recent congressional remarks. On Sept. 3, he delivered a House floor speech in which he argued that impeachment of President Donald Trump was necessary in response to issues involving ICE and Customs and Border Protection.

Green’s latest comments put the question of medical treatment for transgender detainees directly into the ongoing debate over federal immigration detention policies.

His office has called for what it considers necessary medical care and humane treatment for transgender immigrants while they remain in government custody.

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