The Trump administration has been known for its controversial policies and actions, but one issue that has been largely overlooked is their treatment of transgender individuals. In recent years, there has been a concerted effort to “erase” transgender people, particularly those who are incarcerated. This has led to a dangerous and alarming situation for transgender individuals, who not only face violence and discrimination behind bars, but also medical neglect and erasure from official records.
The issue of transgender individuals in the criminal justice system has long been a concern, with studies showing that they are disproportionately represented in prisons and face higher rates of violence and abuse. However, under the Trump administration, this issue has been exacerbated by policies and actions that specifically target and erase transgender individuals.
One of the most alarming examples of this is the erasure of transgender individuals from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) records. In 2018, the Trump administration implemented a policy that required ICE to use the “biological sex” listed on an individual’s birth certificate when determining housing and medical care for transgender individuals in their custody. This effectively erased the existence of transgender individuals and their gender identity, reducing them to nothing more than their assigned sex at birth.
This policy not only goes against the basic human rights of transgender individuals, but it also directly contradicts a 2015 directive from the Obama administration that instructed ICE to consider an individual’s gender identity when making housing and medical decisions. This directive was put in place to protect transgender individuals from discrimination and violence while in ICE custody.
Despite this clear directive, the Trump administration has continued to ignore the needs and rights of transgender individuals in their custody. In fact, a recent report from The Intercept revealed that ICE has been systematically removing transgender individuals from their records, making it nearly impossible to track their treatment and well-being while in custody.
This erasure of transgender individuals from ICE records not only violates their rights, but it also makes it difficult for advocates and lawmakers to hold the agency accountable for their treatment of transgender individuals. Without accurate records, it is impossible to know the true extent of the violence and medical neglect that transgender individuals face while in ICE custody.
This issue has not gone unnoticed by Congress, who has repeatedly called on ICE to stop erasing transgender individuals from their records. In a letter to ICE, a group of 40 members of Congress stated, “We are deeply concerned that ICE’s failure to accurately track and report data on transgender individuals in its custody is a deliberate attempt to obscure the true conditions they face while in detention.”
Despite these efforts, ICE has continued to ignore the directives and requests from Congress, further highlighting the Trump administration’s blatant disregard for the rights and well-being of transgender individuals.
The consequences of this erasure and neglect are dire for transgender individuals in ICE custody. Without accurate records, it is difficult for them to receive appropriate medical care, including hormone therapy and gender-affirming surgeries. This can have serious physical and mental health implications for transgender individuals, who already face high rates of violence and discrimination.
Furthermore, the erasure of transgender individuals from ICE records perpetuates the dangerous narrative that they do not exist or do not deserve basic human rights. This not only affects those in ICE custody, but it also has a ripple effect on the larger transgender community, reinforcing harmful stereotypes and discrimination.
It is clear that the Trump administration’s efforts to “erase” transgender individuals are not only inhumane, but they also go against the values of equality and justice that our country should stand for. It is imperative that we hold our government accountable for their actions and demand that they treat all individuals, regardless of their gender identity, with dignity and respect.
As a society, we must stand up against this erasure and discrimination of transgender individuals. We must demand that ICE stop removing transgender individuals from their records and instead, provide them with the necessary medical care and support they deserve. We must also continue to advocate for policies and laws that protect the rights and well-being of transgender individuals, both in and out of the criminal justice system.
In the words of Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, “Transgender rights are human rights, and we must fight for them every day.” It is time for us to come together and fight for the rights of transgender individuals, and ensure that they are not erased or forgotten by our government. Only then can we truly call ourselves a just and equal society.
