A recent investigation has brought to light troubling conditions faced by pregnant women detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Three women, Alicia, Marie, and Lucia, who have been in ICE detention have bravely shared their stories of medical neglect and mistreatment. They all tell stories of having to endure major health crises while in jail.
In April, Alicia, a pregnant woman whom ICE detained at the Basile facility, endured a distressing experience. She was even forced to be separated from her two children during her detention. During her eight months in detention, she learned that she was pregnant. Yet, Alicia’s pregnancy was not without complications—she began to experience severe abdominal pains, vaginal discharge, cramping and bleeding. In spite of this increased anxiety, she was given small amounts of poor quality food that left her feeling deprived and undernourished.
Alicia suffered a miscarriage while in detention. A month later, the abdominal pain and heavy bleeding didn’t stop. Her case is a stark illustration of the abysmal medical care given to pregnant women in ICE detention.
Marie, an immigrant woman similarly detained and released during these horrific practices, described her frightening experience. When she informed officials of her pregnancy, they did not believe her. After enduring three days in solitary confinement, Marie witnessed a fellow detainee miscarry in the bathroom of their housing unit. Furthermore, she was denied prenatal vitamins by a nurse who told her:
“You won’t die if you don’t take them and they will not be available for a week.” – nurse
Lucia’s experience is indicative of the intolerable disregard for the wellbeing of pregnant detainees. She was picked up in Georgia immediately following her immigration check-in appointment. Two weeks into her detention, she began suffering from severe vaginal bleeding and cramping. In a shocking development, they placed shackles on her arms and legs. That was just as she was getting rushed to the ER as they were saving her life after losing over 80% of blood volume.
Alicia, Marie, and Lucia’s stories underscore a deadly trend. They underscore the general trend of ICE mistreating pregnant women in detention facilities. As of this writing, illegal aliens in custody who are pregnant women only comprise 0.133% of the total. That figure — only 1 in 7 — should make everyone object to policies and practices that affect their care.
Tricia McLaughlin, a former spokeswoman for ICE, has in the past defended ICE’s treatment of pregnant detainees. Just to stress how exceedingly rare these cases are.
“Another day, another disgusting attempt to smear ICE while our law enforcement targets the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens. Here are the facts: a woman being pregnant and in ICE detention is exceedingly rare. Pregnant women currently make up 0.133% of all illegal aliens in custody. Pregnant women in custody are also subject to elevated oversight.” – Tricia McLaughlin
Human rights advocates have long and convincingly rebutted these claims. Through their stories, they underscore the significant ethical issues surrounding the care and treatment of women while in detention. These accounts affirm that the experiences of many pregnant detainees are representative of systemic shortcomings that threaten their health and well-being.
As these revelations unfold, rights groups continue to call for reform within ICE detention facilities, advocating for improved medical care and humane treatment for all detainees, especially vulnerable populations such as pregnant women.