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Emigration and immigration

Senators Call on DHS Secretary to Stop Detaining Pregnant Women in ICE Custody

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper joined 28 of his Senate Democratic colleagues in a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem, expressing grave concerns about the detention of pregnant, postpartum, and nursing women in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody. The senators called on ICE to cease detaining pregnant women absent exceptional circumstances and provide clear information about the number and treatment of pregnant women in its custody. Medical research links ICE detention to high rates of pregnancy complications, and the senators raised concerns about the deteriorating conditions inside detention facilities, including severe overcrowding, inadequate food and water, and a lack of emergency medical care.

Key Takeaways:

  • Medical research links ICE detention to high rates of pregnancy complications, with physicians finding serious risks to both fetal and maternal health.
  • A recent Senate Judiciary Committee site visit and media reports have highlighted the alarming detention of a significant number of pregnant women in ICE custody.
  • The senators are requesting that ICE provide information about the number and treatment of pregnant, postpartum, and nursing women in its custody.
  • The letter also raises concerns about the recent reporting of 911 calls recorded from ICE facilities involving pregnant women in distress, bleeding, or suffering severe pain.
  • The Trump administration's decision to stop providing reports to Congress on the number of pregnant, postpartum, and nursing women in their custody has left authorities with limited visibility and independent oversight of the treatment of vulnerable populations.
  • The senators are requesting answers to a series of questions by September 26, 2025, including the number of women currently in ICE custody who are pregnant, postpartum, and nursing, as well as the process for conducting evaluations to determine whether continued detention is appropriate.
  • The letter also requests information about the number of women who have been released pursuant to these screenings, which women have given birth in ICE facilities, and what provisions have been made for mothers' and children's health, safety, and wellbeing.

Statistics:

  • Between 2016 and 2018, ICE detained pregnant women over 4,600 times, according to a Government Accountability Office (GAO) study.
  • In the first half of fiscal year 2024, the number of pregnant, postpartum, and nursing women detained in ICE custody dropped to just 158.
  • Since January 1, 2025, at least four 911 calls have been recorded from ICE detention facilities involving pregnant women in distress, bleeding, or suffering severe pain.
  • As of January 2025, ICE's own data show that no pregnant women were transferred to a suitable facility in ICE's South Louisiana ICE Processing Center.
  • In that same time frame, no pregnant women were transferred to a suitable facility in ICE's San Pedro Service Processing Center.

Sources:

  • A recent Senate Judiciary Committee site visit to the South Louisiana ICE Processing Center.
  • A Government Accountability Office (GAO) study published in 2020.
  • A media investigation into ICE detention facilities.
  • A letter to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem from 28 Senate Democratic colleagues.
  • ICE Directive 11032.4, Identification and Monitoring of Pregnant, Postpartum, or Nursing Individuals (2021 Pregnancy Directive).

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