The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency announced new guidelines when detaining transgender immigrants.

A new guidance for ICE and the Office of Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) called for three new elements in regards to the treatment of transgender immigrants in custody.

The first element is to appropriate data systems and update it to record an individual's gender identity. The second new guidance calls for "comprehensive" officer training and tools "to ensure an individual's gender identity can be identified early" while in detention.

Finally, ICE addressed its housing practices for transgender immigrants. According to ICE, the memorandum includes "a voluntary ICE detention facility Contract Modification," which calls for the creation of a facility-based multidisciplinary Transgender Care Classification Committee. The committee will be tasked to make decisions related to searches, clothing options, medical care and housing assignments and reassessments.

"The Transgender Care Memorandum reaffirms ICE's commitment to provide a safe, secure, and respectful environment for all those in our custody, including those individuals who identify as transgender," ICE ERO Executive Assistant Director Thomas Homan said.

"We want to make sure our employees have the tools and resources available to learn more about how to interact with transgender individuals and ensure effective standards exist to house and care for them throughout the custody cycle."

ICE's new guidelines are the results of a six-month agency working group that were responsible on investigating the topic. The working group interviews "subject matter experts" and input from the transgender community. In addition, ICE announced each of its 24 ERO field offices will have a designate local LGBT Field Liaison.

Meanwhile, undocumented immigrant LGBT activists scheduled a protest outside the White House to increase calls for immigration reform. Organized by United We Dream, its "The Break the Cage" campaign wants the Obama administration to immediately cease the detention of LGBT immigrants. Based on a Center for American Progress report, detained undocumented LGBT immigrants are 15 times more likely to experience a physical assault and rape while staying at for-profit detention centers. The activists believe the new ICE guidance is not enough.

As Latin Post reported, an undocumented transgender immigrant interrupted Obama during a White House LGBT reception on June 24. Jennicet Gutiérrez heckled Obama to release detained transgender immigrants, but she was escorted away from the White House.

"Last night I spoke out to demand respect and acknowledgement of our gender expression and the release of the estimated 75 transgender immigrants in detention right now," wrote Gutiérrez for the Washington Blade. "There is no pride in how LGBTQ immigrants are treated in this country and there can be no celebration with an administration that has the ability to keep us detained and in danger or release us to freedom."

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For the latest updates, follow Latin Post's Michael Oleaga on Twitter: @EditorMikeO or contact via email: m.oleaga@latinpost.com.

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