Government prosecutor confirms hospitalization as federal and immigration
judges are notified.
September 14, 2026 — United States
The Belarusian Representative Assembly (BRA) is calling for immediate independent scrutiny of
the medical treatment and detention of Katsiaryna Bartko, a 33-year-old Belarusian asylum
seeker and cancer survivor who has been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs
Enforcement (ICE) in Kansas.
Bartko is no longer at the ICE detention facility where she had been held
Her attorneys were notified that she was no longer at the facility, and the government prosecutor
has confirmed that Bartko has been hospitalized. The judges overseeing her federal and
immigration proceedings have also been notified.
Kansas-based volunteers monitoring the case report that Bartko was hospitalized in extremely
serious condition. BRA is working to obtain independent confirmation of her current medical
status and location and is not releasing unverified details about her diagnosis or condition.
The hospitalization follows weeks of documented medical deterioration and escalating concerns
from independent physicians.
A documented medical crisis
Bartko underwent surgical removal of her thyroid and parathyroid glands in her early 20s and
has required lifelong hormone and calcium replacement therapy.
Medical records reviewed in connection with her case show significant deterioration while she
was in ICE custody.
Among the documented laboratory results:
● TSH of 148.77 mIU/L on August 11, 2026;
● TSH of 141.83 mIU/L on August 28, 2026;
● low thyroid hormone levels;
● low calcium;
● and anemia.
The Kansas City Star previously reported that Bartko was hospitalized three times in four days
while detained in Florida before being transferred to Kansas. The newspaper reviewed medical
records and federal court filings and reported that she had not received an outside
endocrinology evaluation after her transfer to the Kansas detention facility.
The Star also reported that medical experts reviewing her records had raised concerns about
severe thyroid-hormone deficiency and the risk of serious complications.
ABC News subsequently reported on the case nationally, including concerns about Bartko’s
access to essential medication and statements from ICE and CoreCivic regarding the medical
care she was receiving.
Federal litigation
Bartko’s case is currently before the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas in:
Bartko v. Mackey, No. 5:26-cv-03290-DDC.
The federal proceedings have included emergency litigation concerning her medical condition
and detention.
Her immigration proceedings are also continuing, with a merits hearing currently scheduled for
September 28, 2026.
The fact that Bartko is now hospitalized materially changes the circumstances surrounding the
pending proceedings.
BRA calls for independent review
The Belarusian Representative Assembly is calling for:
- Immediate confirmation of Bartko’s current location and medical status to her attorneys
and authorized representatives; - Full access for counsel to her current medical records;
- Independent medical evaluation and treatment appropriate to her documented
conditions; - Preservation of all detention-facility medical records, medication-administration records,
incident reports, grievances, communications records and other evidence relevant to her
treatment; - Independent legal review of whether the treatment and conditions surrounding her
detention violated applicable constitutional or statutory protections; - Appropriate consideration of her continued detention in light of her hospitalization and
medical vulnerability.
Photo: GoFundMe
Ekaterina’s partner, Dmitry, is currently raising funds to cover legal fees, medical expenses, and potential bail for Bartko’s release from custody.
BRA is not making a legal determination regarding liability or medical causation. The organization is calling for an independent review based on the documented medical record and the rapidly developing circumstances.
This story has already received national media attention
Bartko’s case has already been covered by The Kansas City Star, ABC News, KSHB 41,
Newsweek, Belsat and other media outlets.
The Kansas City Star’s August 30 investigation was headlined:
“Cancer survivor, pro-democracy activist could die in Kansas ICE prison, supporters say.”
ABC News followed with national coverage on September 2, reporting on Bartko’s medical
condition, detention and the concerns raised by physicians who reviewed her records.
The new hospitalization represents a significant development in a story that has already
attracted national media attention.
About the Belarusian Representative Assembly (BRA)
The Belarusian Representative Assembly (BRA) is a U.S.-based 501(c)(4) civic organization working to strengthen representation, civic participation, community coordination and public-interest advocacy.
BRA became involved in the Bartko case because of concerns regarding the treatment of a Belarusian asylum seeker with serious, documented medical needs while in U.S. immigration detention.