Senators Raise Concerns Over Treatment of Pregnant Immigrants in Detention
As Mother’s Day approaches, a group of U.S. senators is sounding the alarm about the troubling treatment of pregnant and breastfeeding individuals in immigration detention. Recently, Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Maisie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), and Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) penned a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Mark Wayne Mullin, urging the department to improve conditions and release pregnant women from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody.
Call for Legal Protections for Pregnant Detainees
The senators’ correspondence follows the introduction of a new bill by Representative Sidney Kamlager Dove (D-Calif.), aimed at establishing standards of care for pregnant women in federal custody, including those held in ICE and Customs and Border Protection facilities. This legislation builds upon a previous bill passed by the House in 2022, which applied only to Bureau of Prisons detainees.
Data Gaps in Understanding Immigration Detention
Determining the exact number of pregnant individuals in federal custody and the percentage of them who are immigrants remains challenging. Recent statistics from the Prison Policy Initiative indicate that over 700 incarcerated mothers gave birth in prison in 2023. The Department of Homeland Security reported the deportation of 363 pregnant, postpartum, or breastfeeding immigrants between January 1, 2025, and February 16, 2026, during which time there were also records of sixteen miscarriages. As of March, roughly 126 pregnant women were still in detention, as the senators highlighted in their letter.
Inconsistent Care for Pregnant Individuals in Custody
The care provided to pregnant individuals in custody varies significantly by state and individual facility. Current federal guidelines are minimal, with no established rules governing prenatal nutrition for incarcerated mothers. Reports indicate that some facilities continue to use shackling methods, even during labor, posing serious health risks. Moreover, there have been instances of mothers being separated from their newborns shortly after giving birth, leading to potential physical and psychological trauma.
Proposed Changes Under the Pregnant Women in Custody Act
The Pregnant Women in Custody Act proposed by Kamlager-Dove seeks to ensure adequate prenatal medical care across federal prisons, jails, and ICE detention centers. This legislation would eliminate the practice of shackling during labor and enhance the tracking of health-related data within federal facilities.
Urgent Appeal from Lawmakers
“The lack of legal protections for pregnant women in federal custody is appalling. This bill aims to address this gap by promoting a healthier and safer environment for mothers and their children,” stated Rep. Kamlager Dove.
Inquiries Regarding Private Contractors’ Role
The senators, in addition to reaching out to Secretary Mullin, also contacted Acquisition Logistics and Amentum Services, two private contractors managing Camp East Montana, an ICE detention facility in El Paso, Texas. Reports from The New York Times have revealed that the facility, housing pregnant women, lacks on-site medical professionals. Individuals seeking treatment for complications such as vaginal bleeding were reportedly given only water, prenatal vitamins, and temperature checks.
In their letter, the senators expressed deep concern regarding the apparent indifference shown toward this vulnerable population by the current administration. “We urge you to resume the common-sense practice of presuming release for pregnant women from ICE custody immediately,” they implored.
