Urgent Call for Medical Release of Immigrant Woman in ICE Custody
Congresswoman Angie Craig has appealed to the Trump administration for the immediate release of Andrea Pedro Francisco, a woman in ICE custody diagnosed with a dangerously large ovarian cyst that requires urgent medical intervention. During a news conference on Monday, Craig emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “It’s no exaggeration to say this is a life-or-death situation.”
Background on Pedro Francisco’s Detention
Craig’s remarks came from Burnsville, located in her congressional district, where Pedro Francisco was arrested more than two months ago. She was apprehended during Operation Metro Surge, the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement initiative in Minnesota. Detained on February 5 while heading to her job as a house cleaner, she was quickly moved to Camp East Montana, a heavily crowded and unsanitary detention center near El Paso.
Life Before Detention
Originally from Guatemala, Pedro Francisco entered the United States in 2019 at the age of 16 with her mother, seeking asylum. They built a life in Burnsville filled with community engagement—attending church, singing in the choir, and preparing for her future as a deacon. Her life was upended just one week before she was scheduled to undergo surgery to address the painful cyst.
Medical Negligence in Custody
In custody, Pedro Francisco has endured severe pain and has only been given over-the-counter medications like Tylenol and ibuprofen, as opposed to the opioid treatment prescribed prior to her detention. “For over a month, my office has been communicating with ICE officials regarding Andrea’s condition,” Craig stated, expressing frustration over the lack of response and transparency from ICE.
Legal Representation and Challenges
Asra Said, an attorney from the Austin law firm Botkin Chiarello Khalaf, has taken on Pedro Francisco’s case pro bono. Introduced through a network of volunteer lawyers formed during Operation Metro Surge, Said filed a writ of habeas corpus to challenge Pedro Francisco’s detention under the Trump administration’s mandatory detention policy. Recent rulings against this policy have emerged, yet her petition was dismissed, highlighting discrepancies in how immigration cases are handled across different jurisdictions.
The Ongoing Fight for Release
Said expressed hope that if they can persuade the field office director at the El Paso processing center to release Pedro Francisco on humanitarian grounds, she might soon return to her life in Burnsville. Despite the ICE’s silence regarding Pedro Francisco’s situation, awareness is growing about the treatment of detainees. The death rate in ICE custody has surged, with more than 45 fatalities reported since President Trump’s second term began, marking the highest percentage in over two decades.
Legislative Hurdles and Advocacy Efforts
Craig’s office is currently handling around 20 cases involving local immigrant arrests, five of which involve serious medical issues. One individual reportedly agreed to deportation after being denied essential dialysis treatment while detained. Together with Democratic colleagues, Craig has sponsored a bill aimed at establishing medical standards for immigrants in detention; however, it has stalled in Congress. Pedro Francisco’s story is also being highlighted by Heaven Watch, a group formed in response to the death of a fellow immigrant. They are working to coordinate legal support for her in deportation hearings.
Family’s Emotional Struggle
Pedro Francisco’s mother, Lucia, expressed her anguish in a heartfelt letter read during the conference, stating, “I cry day and night thinking about Andrea. I want her to come home soon and safely.” The struggles both mother and daughter have faced in their home country underline the urgency of the situation as they fight to avoid further hardship.
