Pro-Life Groups Urge Trump Administration to Restore ICE Protections for Mothers

Democrats For Life of America (DFLA) today joined a coalition of more than 30 pro-life organizations calling on the Trump Administration to immediately reinstate and enforce federal protections that prevent the detention of pregnant, postpartum, and nursing women in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody—except in truly extraordinary circumstances.

DFLA also recognizes its Legislating for Human Dignity partner, Rehumanize International, for leading this effort and convening pro-life voices to protect immigrant mothers and their children.

In an open letter addressed to President Trump, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, and Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons, the coalition warned that immigration detention facilities are structurally ill-equipped to provide the continuity of prenatal and postpartum care that mothers and babies need—and that detention predictably increases risks for medical emergencies, miscarriage, and poor birth outcomes.

“Protecting life means protecting mothers and babies wherever they are—especially when they are vulnerable and under government control,” said Kristen Day, Executive Director of Democrats For Life. “Detaining pregnant and nursing mothers is not required for immigration enforcement. Responsible governance demands humane, medically sound alternatives that keep families safe while ensuring lawful proceedings continue.”

The open letter cites federal reporting that detentions of pregnant women rose sharply after the 2017 change; it also points to documented cases of delayed treatment and serious pregnancy-related harms in detention settings.

"An administration that claims to be the most pro-life in history cannot ignore the preventable deaths happening in facilities under its control. If we're serious about protecting life, that commitment must extend to detention centers,” said Lauren Pope, Executive Director of Rehumanize International. 

The coalition urges the Administration to take immediate steps to reinstate and enforce protections limiting detention of pregnant, postpartum, and nursing women to exceptional circumstances.

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