WASHINGTON — Following is a statement by Sandra L. Shullman, PhD, president of the American Psychological Association, in response to a recent whistleblower report that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has conducted unnecessary hysterectomies on immigrant women in detention centers:
“These allegations, if confirmed, remind us of the unsettling United States history of forced sterilization and eugenics practices that have harmed African Americans, Native Americans, Hispanics, poor people, the mentally ill and people with disabilities. Sterilizations were used in the past to reduce the number of people in the country who were said to be unfit. Such practices were and are abhorrent.
“APA has a commitment to advocate for immigrants and their mental well-being. If women are being subjected to unnecessary hysterectomies and other medical procedures without their consent, their mental health and possibly physical health will suffer, and they may endure trauma that will affect them the rest of their lives.
“We encourage Congress to investigate and do whatever else is needed to stop and prevent these alleged practices.”