San Antonio, Texas — A group of national pro-life advocates is urging the federal government to reinstate guidance aimed at protecting pregnant women and new mothers from detention by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). In a letter sent to the Trump administration, these leaders contend that current policies jeopardize the health of both mothers and their unborn children.

The letter, dated February 13 and signed by over 30 prominent figures across various ideological and religious backgrounds, highlights serious concerns about the treatment of pregnant detainees. It cites reports of prolonged detentions for women facing high-risk pregnancies, which have resulted in delayed medical care and, in some cases, miscarriages and stillbirths. “Unborn children are dying because of this policy,” the letter asserts.

Among the organizations leading this initiative are Rehumanize International and Secular Pro-Life. Notable signatories include Lila Rose, founder of Live Action, and Charles C. Camosy, a pro-life ethicist. They collectively emphasize the need for more protective measures for vulnerable populations within the immigration system.

Leah Libresco Sargeant, an author and signatory, pointed out the importance of balancing immigration enforcement with humane practices. She stated that detaining pregnant or nursing women should only occur under rare and justified circumstances. “We should always strive to avoid taking these women into custody when possible,” she said in an email. “The current policies undermine this foundational principle.”

The letter comes in the wake of troubling accounts from organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union and reports from The 19th, a non-profit news outlet, detailing the conditions that detained women often encounter. Recently, U.S. Representative Joaquin Castro called for the release of a two-month-old infant from a detention facility in Dilley, Texas, underscoring the urgency of these issues.

ICE had previously suspended the presumption of release for pregnant detainees during the first Trump administration in 2017. In 2021, the agency issued new guidance aimed at limiting the detention of pregnant, postpartum, or nursing women except in extraordinary circumstances. However, pro-life advocates argue that ICE has not adhered to this guidance, which they claim has been marked as “archived” on the agency’s website.

In the letter, the advocates make four specific requests aimed at reinstating and enforcing protections for these women: to restore the 2021 guidance, to require approval from higher-ups before detaining pregnant women, to publish regular data on the demographics and justifications for such detentions, and to review cases for potential release.

“The ask is both urgent and moderate,” Libresco Sargeant remarked. “We’re simply asking for a return to a policy that has proven effective in safeguarding the health of mothers and their children.”

This renewed call for action is generating attention among those concerned about the ethical treatment of detained immigrants and the health implications for vulnerable populations. As discussions continue, proponents hope for a reconsideration of policies that impact the lives of mothers and their children during critical times.