In the fall of 2025, as she approached the end of her pregnancy, Jacqueline, a Guatemalan immigrant residing in North Florida, made the difficult decision to plan for an independent childbirth experience. Following the detention and deportation of her husband by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), she became increasingly cautious, choosing to leave her house only when absolutely necessary. In an interview with The 19th, she described the apprehension surrounding routine prenatal visits, which now felt fraught with risk. To facilitate her continued care, a local clinic arranged an Uber ride for her, yet each step was laden with calculation: was it safe to venture out? When labor began, her concerns shifted to the hospital staff, prompting her to ask, “Was the immigration officer nearby?”
Stories like Jacqueline’s drew significant media attention throughout early 2026; however, although they have faded from headlines, immigration enforcement remains a pressing issue. Healthcare providers report that the pervasive fear stemming from these policies continues to deter patients from seeking necessary medical treatment. Since mid-2025, many clinics across several states have noted a troubling rise in canceled appointments, skipped follow-ups, and disruptions to critical services, including prenatal care and cancer screenings.
As a scholar focused on reproductive justice and public health, I explore how systems meant to provide care can inadvertently inflict harm in my book, *The Erotics of Illness: Black Jamaican Women and Self-Formation in the Age of HIV/AIDS*. Reproductive justice, a concept established by Black women activists, advocates for three fundamental rights: the right to have children, the right not to have children, and the right to raise children in safe and sustainable communities. My research delves into not only the legalities of these rights but also the myriad social, economic, and political factors that facilitate or obstruct access to them.
Emerging evidence suggests that immigration authorities are altering access to healthcare in ways that further restrict these core rights. Clinics, hospitals, and detention centers are increasingly being perceived as sites of surveillance rather than safe havens for medical treatment.
The right to safely carry and give birth to a child
While consistent medical care is not mandated during pregnancy, leading medical organizations, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, emphasize its importance. Regular prenatal visits, nutritional support, and monitoring for complications are crucial for reducing maternal and infant mortality rates and other preventable health issues.
On January 20, 2025, the Trump administration rescinded a federal policy that had previously barred immigration enforcement in “sensitive locations” like hospitals, clinics, and schools. This change has fueled concerns among health care providers and advocacy groups, who now report that patients may be avoiding clinics due to distrust in the healthcare system, a reluctance to share personal data with governmental entities, or fear of encounters with immigration officials.
When individuals forgo prenatal and medical care out of anxiety, they inherently limit their ability to ensure a safe pregnancy with the best prospects for a healthy outcome. Immigration enforcement not only curtails the legal rights of immigrants but also influences who enjoys safe, healthy pregnancies. Consequently, healthcare systems may inadvertently prioritize the pregnancies of certain populations while alienating others through restrictive policies.
The situation worsens for pregnant individuals in immigration detention, where access to adequate medical services is often inconsistent. Despite ICE’s own standards mandating comprehensive prenatal care—including regular checkups and nutritional support—testimonies from detained women, corroborated by a March 2026 report from the Women’s Refugee Committee and Physicians for Human Rights, reveal stark discrepancies. Many women reported irregular medical visits, delayed responses to urgent health concerns, and limited access to fundamental prenatal resources.
The right not to have children
The right not to have children hinges on access to contraceptive and abortion services, which are frequently time-sensitive. Limited access to these services can exacerbate emotional and financial stress, particularly concerning unwanted pregnancies.
Immigration enforcement complicates access to reproductive health services. Individuals under increased scrutiny often find it daunting to seek these medical interventions, even if they are legally available. Delayed abortion care not only restricts reproductive options but can also lead to more complex medical procedures, increased costs, and extended travel distances for necessary care. This situation may coerce some individuals into continuing pregnancies against their will, while others might attempt to terminate pregnancies outside of clinical settings, thereby elevating health risks.
The right to raise children in safe and sustainable communities
Successfully raising children in secure and nurturing environments demands not only solid medical care but also broader social conditions that foster family well-being. Immigrant parents are often beset by the ongoing stress of immigration enforcement, compounding their mental and physical health challenges. This constant anxiety can contribute to chronic health issues, including hypertension and anxiety disorders.
For children, the effects of this stress can reverberate through their development and academic performance, as well as disrupt essential family networks. In communities with stringent immigration policies, individuals frequently avoid vital services and activities, pulling children from schools, missing work, and refraining from seeking medical care. This avoidance not only reduces income for local businesses but also weakens the community’s social fabric, thereby negatively impacting societal cohesion.
Community impact
Immigration policies impact health far beyond the confines of hospitals and clinics, permeating entire communities. Viewing immigration enforcement through the lens of reproductive justice elucidates the intricate relationship between access to healthcare, bodily autonomy, and community stability. Disruption to these interconnected elements can lead to serious health ramifications for individuals and their communities.
