Feds Accused of Improperly Detaining Pregnant Immigrants

The Associated Press is reporting that immigrant rights advocates have filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), claiming inhumane treatment of pregnant women housed in immigration detention facility. The complaint, filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and other groups, asks DHS to investigate the cases of 10 pregnant women who were held at various facilities in California, Texas, and Washington. Accordig to the complaint, Thomas Horman, who is now the acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) issued a memo last year stating that as a general rule, ICE agents were not to detain pregnant women, absence extraordinary circumstances or mandatory detention requirements. Nonetheless, the complaint alleges that pregnant women were detained for several weeks and not given proper medical treatment. In response, ICE claims that it screens all women up to age 56 for pregnancy, and offers prenatal care and access to medical specialists for pregnant women who remain in ICE custody. In one case, a 31-year-old woman alleged that she received no medical attention despite the fact that she was pregnant, bleeding, and in pain. Although officials at an ICE detention facility later confirmed her pregnancy, they found that the woman had miscarried several days later. Another 28-year-old woman detained for 16 days at a family detention center in Dilley, Texas, was incorrectly tested as not being pregnant, although the woman was, in fact, pregnant. According to ICE, 33 pregnant women are currently detained; immigration advocates, however, claim that many more detained women could be pregnant. For example, immigrant women may not disclose their pregnancies when detained if they had been raped. Individuals who are detained and/or facing deportation need an experienced California immigration attorney who can assist them with this often complex process. We are here to stand up for the rights of detained immigrants, including the special medical needs of pregnant detainees. At Landerholm Immigration, A.P.C., we know how to stand up for the rights of those who are legally entitled to remain in the U.S. Call us today at (510) 756-4468 and schedule an appointment with one of our deportation defense lawyers, and learn how we can assist you.