Last week, we shared a story from The 19th that shined a light on ICE’s detention of pregnant and nursing women despite the known risks to their health and their babies and in violation of its own guidance. The story highlighted WRC’s advocacy to end this dangerous practice and to ensure that pregnant women, if they are to be detained, receive appropriate care.
One of our most impactful tools has been our confidential online tracker that allows healthcare providers, attorneys, family members, advocates, and others to submit information about the health, treatment, conditions, and incidents of abuse of pregnant, postpartum, or nursing woman currently in or recently released from immigration custody. This gives WRC and our partners the information we need to effectively advocate for their health, safety, and rights. Since we launched the tracker, WRC has made significant progress in connecting with pregnant immigrant women in detention and with advocates—as well as in raising awareness with lawmakers and the public.
Most recently, a Public News Service story, Nonprofit Asks For Help Tracking Pregnant ICE Detainees, reported on WRC’s work to collect real-time information about pregnant, postpartum, and nursing women detained by ICE. Other recent coverage of the issue and WRC’s work includes stories from Univision: ICE Le Informó Que Estaba Embarazada Y La Mantuvo Detenida Por Meses: Organizaciones Reportan Casos Similares En Números “Sin Precedentes”; El País: The Ordeal of Pregnant Women Detained By ICE: Malnutrition, Isolation, And Miscarriages; The Intercept: The Trump Administration Is Hiding How Many Pregnant People Are In ICE Detention; and CNN: ‘Are Mom And Dad Not Coming Home?’ American Kids Left Stranded When ICE Takes Their Parents. You can find these and other articles about our work on the In The News page of our website.
Meanwhile, WRC has been working closely with Members of Congress, providing information and recommendations. Members of Congress are paying attention and taking action. HuffPost has reported on efforts to stop the arrest and detention of pregnant women: Democrats Urge Trump Administration To Stop ICE Arrests Of Pregnant Women.
WRC is doing this work because it is our mission to protect the rights, health, and safety of migrant and displaced women and girls. We will continue to do everything we can to end this practice and mitigate the harm caused by the detention of pregnant women. Join Us.