U.S. authorities are trying to deport her. No anesthesia will be used. The girl will be held down by two older women. When the procedure is over and the girl is bleeding, the wound will only receive superficial treatment. No doctor will be involved.
Infection is common, and is often fatal.
Some call it female circumcision. This term could not be less accurate. In males, circumcision simply means the removal of the foreskin. Although many consider it a pointless procedure, it has little or no effect on sexual function. As I enter the Immigration Outreach Center, Xaviera's lawyer, Rebecca Story, tells me there has been a miscommunication.