Full Breakdown
Minnesota Asylum Seeker’s Ovarian Cyst Surgery Delayed in ICE Detention
5/6/2026, 12:19:59 AM
Core Facts
Andrea Pedro Francisco, a 23-year-old Guatemalan asylum seeker in Burnsville, Minnesota, was detained by ICE on Feb 5, 2026. Six days before a scheduled ovarian-cyst removal, she was transferred to the El Paso Service Processing Center after an initial stay at Camp East Montana. An ultrasound at El Paso confirmed a large cyst, yet ICE has not approved surgery.
Context and Key Actors
Pedro Francisco’s detention occurred under the Trump administration’s Operation Metro Surge, which funneled thousands of migrants into facilities such as Camp East Montana, ICE’s 5,000-capacity center. Primary actors include Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN), who has advocated for medical care; ICE, which asserts detainees receive appropriate treatment; and Ruby Powers, Pedro Francisco’s immigration attorney.
Timeline
- Feb 5, 2026 – ICE detains Pedro Francisco in Minnesota.
- Feb 5 – Mar 20 – Held at Camp East Montana; staff reported no cyst.
- Mar 20 – Transferred to El Paso Service Processing Center.
- Early May 2026 – Ultrasound confirms cyst; surgery still pending.
- April 2026 – Federal judge denies a writ of habeas corpus.
Data on ICE Custody Deaths
Government records show 29 deaths in ICE custody from Oct 1, 2025, to mid-April 2026, the highest annual total, including three deaths at Camp East Montana.
Official Statements
ICE reiterates that detainees receive appropriate medical care. Rep. Craig publicly urged ICE to act on the recent ultrasound and noted the absence of a surgical plan.
Criticism
Rep. Craig described ICE’s response as insufficient and argued the agency is failing to prioritize detainee health. Human-rights groups and religious organizations have joined calls for immediate treatment and release on humanitarian grounds.
Medical Discrepancies
Camp East Montana staff initially claimed Pedro Francisco had no cyst, a finding later contradicted by the El Paso ultrasound. ICE has not responded to the discrepancy or provided a surgery timeline.
Verbatim Quotes
- “In the last few days, El Paso processing has confirmed that her ovarian cyst is still there. But they have not yet allowed her to receive any sort of surgery,” — Rep. Angie Craig, U.S. Representative, Minnesota
- “I refuse to accept that. I hope that the officials here will look at her most recent ultrasound, the massive amount now of medical evidence that she needs the surgery, and will allow her to get the care that she needs,” — Rep. Angie Craig
- “This case, Andrea’s case, is evidence to me that maybe ICE, at this point, is not taking this serious enough to keep the health and well being of its detainees as the biggest priority,” — Rep. Angie Craig
- “a selfless young woman who, you know, her entire mission in life seems to be to serve others and to serve God.” — Rep. Angie Craig
Outlook
Attorney Ruby Powers reports no ICE response to a humanitarian parole request. Without parole, Pedro Francisco remains in El Paso awaiting surgery while advocates press for expedited care and possible release.
