ICE is using smartwatches to track pregnant women, even during labor
2 days ago
- #healthcare
- #immigration
- #surveillance
- A pregnant woman in Colorado faced complications during delivery while wearing an ICE-mandated smartwatch, fearing removal would alert authorities.
- The smartwatch, called VeriWatch, is part of ICE's Alternative to Detention (ATD) program, which monitors immigrants awaiting court dates.
- Hospital staff struggled to remove the watch during a C-section, delaying care and causing distress for the patient.
- Similar cases have been reported, with pregnant women reluctant to remove monitors even when medically necessary.
- The ATD program, managed by BI Inc, lacks clear protocols for medical emergencies involving monitoring devices.
- Immigrants in the program fear being detained if they violate monitoring rules, leading to delayed or avoided medical care.
- ICE and BI Inc have not provided clear guidelines for removing monitors during medical procedures, causing confusion and risks.
- The Trump administration's immigration policies have heightened fears among immigrants, reducing access to healthcare.
- Healthcare workers report a drop in immigrant patients seeking regular care, leading to worse health outcomes.
- BI Inc and ICE prioritize surveillance over immigrant welfare, with no consistent policies for medical exceptions.