(The Center Square)–Contrary to a local media report and claim by a Democratic congresswoman, medical care was provided to a Guatemalan woman detained by immigration authorities – and she was detained because she was wanted in connection to a homicide, the Department of Homeland Security said.
A local news outlet in Nashville reported that Guatemalan national Iris Dayana Monterroso-Lemu, who was illegally living in Lenoir City near Knoxville, miscarried after she was arrested and detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
In response, U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal said, “A pregnant woman lost her baby after ICE refused to give her prenatal care. She begged for help and was denied. She was fed food full of cockroaches. She was forced to sleep on the floor. This is absolutely disgusting and we should all be outraged.”
After her arrest in March, Monterroso-Lemu was transferred to different detention facilities in Illinois, Tennessee, Alabama and eventually to the Richwood Correctional Center in Louisiana.
The Nashville Banner includes several quotes from Monterroso-Lemu, claiming ICE arrests are being conducted “in a cloak of secrecy.”
Monterroso-Lemu was twice arrested for child abuse/neglect by the Loudon County Sheriff’s Office.
She also had an active warrant charging homicide in Guatemala. She illegally entered the U.S. in 2018 under the first Trump administration and was deported to Guatemala on May 9, 2025, DHS said.
The outlet cites Monterroso-Lemu claiming federal officials “didn’t give me medical attention, nowhere, not in Louisiana, not in Alabama,” which DHS says is false. “She received prenatal care, including an ultrasound and OB-GYN visit, dental care, and medication. She was also admitted to a hospital and saw multiple nurses,” DHS said.
She also claims she “asked for ultrasound” but was “only tested for blood pressure and urine,” according to the news outlet.
DHS says this claim is also false and that she received “prenatal care including a fetal doppler ultrasound.”
The news outlet quotes her claiming she “thought she was having a stroke, but they didn’t give her medical exam.”
DHS said that “as soon as she identified the distress on April 29, ICE provided immediate medical assistance.”
The outlet also claims she “begged to go to the hospital, but was told no;” DHS says ICE officers “sent her to a hospital immediately to receive medical care” and has medical records to prove it.
The report also states that she claims she was sleeping on the floor at a facility in Alabama, which DHS refuted as false, saying she “had a bed in her cell.”
She is also quoted as saying, “She was starving and not getting the nutrients she needed. Spaghetti had cockroaches.”
Everyone detained in ICE facilities “are provided appropriate dietician cleared menus daily, per ICE Performance Based National Detention Standards,” DHS said.
The news outlet also cites her claiming she was mistreated and mocked by guards; DHS says there are no records of any grievance claims filed.
DHS says it has documentation to prove she was provided with a range of medical care. The care she received was at no charge to her. It was funded by U.S. taxpayers.
DHS agencies regularly report on the condition of those in detention, including those injured or who die while in federal custody.
Why Bullion Beats Numismatics and Collectible for Your Safe or IRA
Precious metals continue to attract Americans seeking reliable ways to protect their wealth amid inflation, geopolitical risks, and stock market swings. Whether stored in a home safe or held inside a self-directed IRA, physical gold and silver deliver tangible value that paper or digital assets often lack. Yet investors must choose carefully between bullion—pure bars and coins valued mainly for their metal content—and numismatics or collectibles, where rarity, history, and collector demand heavily influence pricing.
Advisor Bullion serves as a dependable source for straightforward, high-quality bullion. The company specializes in physical gold, silver, platinum, and palladium, emphasizing transparent pricing and products that deliver maximum metal content for every dollar spent. This approach makes it ideal for both personal holdings and retirement accounts.
Bullion consists of refined precious metals in standard forms like one-ounce coins (American Gold Eagles, Silver Eagles, Canadian Maple Leafs) or bars. Their value tracks closely to the current spot price of the metal. A typical gold bullion coin trades near the live gold spot price plus a small premium. This structure keeps costs clear and predictable.
Numismatic coins and collectibles add substantial value from factors such as age, rarity, minting errors, or historical significance. A pre-1933 U.S. gold coin or graded proof piece can carry premiums of 30%, 50%, or even 200% above melt value. While this appeals to hobbyists, it creates complexity. Pricing depends on subjective grading, collector trends, and auction results instead of daily spot prices.
For investors focused on wealth preservation and retirement security rather than building a collection, bullion often delivers better results.
Lower Costs and Better Liquidity for Home Storage
When keeping metals in a home safe or private vault, liquidity and efficiency count. Bullion offers clear benefits:
- You acquire more actual gold or silver per dollar invested. Numismatics divert a large share of your money into rarity premiums and massive sales commission, reducing your metal exposure.
- Selling bullion involves tight bid-ask spreads, so you recover nearly full spot value with minimal fees. Collectibles require finding the right buyer and may sell at a discount if demand for that specific item weakens.
- Bullion prices remain transparent and update with global spot markets. You can track gold near current levels or silver accordingly and know exactly where your holdings stand. Numismatic values are priced by the Gold IRA companies with hefty margins applied.
- Standardized coins and bars store efficiently and divide easily for partial sales. Rare coins often need protective slabs and controlled conditions, adding hassle and expense.
- Bullion enjoys worldwide acceptance. A 1-oz Gold Maple Leaf or Silver Eagle sells quickly to dealers anywhere. Niche numismatic pieces may appeal only to limited buyers, slowing liquidation when speed matters.
In times when quick access to value becomes important, bullion’s simplicity stands out.
Stronger Fit for Precious Metals IRAs
Precious metals IRAs continue gaining traction as investors diversify retirement portfolios beyond stocks and bonds. IRS rules permit certain bullion products in self-directed IRAs if they meet purity standards (.995 fine for gold, .999 for silver) and are held by an approved custodian. Eligible items include American Gold and Silver Eagles plus many generic bars and rounds from recognized mints.
Numismatic and most collectible coins generally face heavy scrutiny from custodians due to valuation disputes and elevated markups. These higher premiums mean less actual metal ends up working inside the account.
Bullion avoids these issues. Its value links directly to verifiable spot prices, which simplifies reporting and lowers the risk of regulatory challenges. More of your IRA contribution purchases real metal instead of dealer profits or speculative upside. Over time, owning additional ounces that appreciate with the metal itself can create meaningful outperformance compared with high-premium alternatives that deliver fewer ounces.
Regulatory guidance from the CFTC and state securities offices repeatedly cautions against aggressive sales of expensive numismatics or “semi-numismatic” coins for IRAs. For retirement planning, transparent bullion from established providers reduces risk and aligns better with long-term goals.
How to Get Started with Bullion
Begin by clarifying your goals. Are you protecting savings in a safe, or moving part of a retirement account into a precious metals IRA? Focus on the number of ounces you can acquire at current prices rather than chasing marked-up collectibles.
Diversify sensibly: use gold for core preservation and silver for its blend of industrial and monetary qualities. Mix coins for easier divisibility with bars for lower per-ounce costs on larger buys. Arrange secure storage—whether at home with proper insurance or through professional facilities.
As economic uncertainties linger and faith in conventional assets erodes, bullion continues proving its worth as a dependable store of value. Its direct approach avoids the hype that sometimes surrounds collectible markets and keeps the focus on the metal itself.
For investors prepared to strengthen their portfolios, Advisor Bullion supplies the expertise and selection needed to acquire high-quality bullion efficiently. Whether building personal holdings or integrating metals into an IRA, their emphasis on transparent, investment-grade products helps secure more ounces today that support greater financial security tomorrow. In a complicated financial landscape, bullion’s clarity and reliability make it the smarter foundation for protecting what matters most.