Democratic Representative Al Green of Texas joined activists Thursday to demand that the federal government resume providing hormone therapy and other gender-related treatments to transgender illegal immigrants held in Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention centers.

Green was soundly defeated in his primary runoff election last May following state redistricting. On Thursday, he appeared alongside leaders from the Houston LGBTQ+ Political Caucus and the Montrose Center in a livestreamed event focused on what they described as maltreatment of transgender migrants in custody. Speakers expressed concern over reports that detainees have been denied access to hormones, placed in housing based on biological sex, and subjected to alleged harassment.

The push comes weeks after the Trump administration ended specialized care for such detainees. In August, the Department of Homeland Security halted hormone treatments, stating it would not waste taxpayer dollars on procedures for illegal aliens seeking to change their sex. The policy reversal followed an Obama-era directive that had required continued access for those already receiving hormones.

Data from prior years showed small numbers of transgender-individuals in ICE custody. Between October 2023 and September 2024, the agency held 244 such detainees. A later count listed 47 as of January 2025. Officials have not released updated figures.

Green and his allies argued that denying the treatments violates standards of humane care and medical necessity. They urged DHS to clarify safeguards and ensure access to prescription medications regardless of gender identity.

Critics of the demands point to broader priorities. Federal resources for immigration enforcement have focused on removing individuals who entered the country illegally, many with criminal records. Providing elective medical interventions to noncitizens in detention has drawn scrutiny amid reports of high costs and limited resources for American citizens, including veterans seeking care.

No immediate response from DHS was issued following the Thursday gathering.