LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — A woman detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport said she was denied lifesaving medication for her sickle cell disease and mistreated while in custody at a Grayson County jail.
Congressman Morgan McGarvey joined Sarafinah Bukirwa's family Wednesday in downtown Louisville, calling for her immediate release from the Grayson County Jail, where she has been held since July 22.
Sarafinah Bukirwa. (Photo courtesy of Grayson County Jail)
Her family said Bukirwa has sickle cell disease and spent nearly a week without her prescribed medication. They warned her condition could quickly become life-threatening without proper treatment.
McGarvey said Bukirwa was traveling to a sickle cell conference in California when she was detained. He sent a letter to ICE on Wednesday demanding her release and requesting body camera footage, surveillance video, medical records, incident reports and other records related to her detention.
This is an urgent congressional inquiry involving the liberty, health, and safety of a constituent with a serious medical condition," McGarvey wrote.
In handwritten letters Bukirwa said she wrote while in custody — obtained by her brother and attorney — Bukirwa claimed she repeatedly asked for her medications, a doctor or nurse, water and blankets but was ignored.
Bukirwa wrote that she was detained with all of her prescription medications and medical records, but claimed she did not receive all of the medications she was prescribed after arriving at the jail.
She also alleged she was only given half of one prescribed medication once a day, even though it was ordered every six hours. And, she said she was "not allowed to identify" the medication she was given.
"I am not sure if I am taking the right prescription because I am not allowed to identify it,"Â Bukirwa wrote.
McGarvey also said Wednesday Bukirwa was hit by officers and forced to remove her hijab and clothing in front of male officers during the booking process.
Bukirwa's brother, Isaac Kabunga, said his sister has "never experienced something like this."
"At this point, what I care about is her medical attention," Bukirwa said. "...Then we know she's going to be okay."
McGarvey's office also is questioning whether she should be in custody at all.
According to McGarvey, Bukirwa entered the United States legally, has valid work authorization and a pending asylum claim. Her attorney also said she believes Bukirwa does not have any pending criminal charges.
When asked about the claims, Grayson County Jailer Jason Woosley said Bukirwa is "currently receiving and has been receiving all the medications that she is prescribed."
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