Reps. Pettersen, Beatty, & Kelly Lead Members Demanding Answers on Miscarriages in Detention

This press release from Representative Brittany Pettersen (D-CO) was published on 2026-10-16 and titled "Reps. Pettersen, Beatty, & Kelly Lead Members Demanding Answers on Miscarriages in Detention".

Reps. Pettersen, Beatty, & Kelly Lead Members Demanding Answers on Miscarriages in Detention

WASHINGTON – Representatives Brittany Pettersen (CO-07), Joyce Beatty (OH-03) and Robin Kelly (IL-02) today announced their demand for answers from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) about its failure to account for miscarriages and other pregnancy-related medical outcomes of its detainees since Donald Trump has aggressively increased the detention of undocumented immigrants, legal immigrants, and even in some cases American citizens. In a letter to Acting Director David Venturella, the lawmakers warn that a full year of pregnancy-related outcomes remains unaccounted for as reports describe pregnant women struggling to obtain basic and emergency medical care. According to agency records, at least 18 women miscarried while in custody from January 2025 through October 3, 2025. Yet, despite these alarming and unprecedented numbers, ICE has failed to collect, maintain, or disclose data on miscarriages since the last report on October 3, 2025. “Women are reporting pregnancy emergencies without adequate care, and ICE cannot even account for how many women have miscarried in its custody. That is appalling,” said Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen. “As a mom, I’m horrified by what these women describe. ICE must answer for these failures, provide the missing records, and ensure every person in its custody receives the care they need.” “I’m horrified by the growing number of reported miscarriages and the blatant disregard for women’s health in ICE detention facilities,” said Congresswoman Joyce Beatty. “Donald Trump’s Department of Homeland Security has a responsibility to account for these pregnancy-related medical outcomes and ensure that women in its custody are receiving the care they need. We cannot allow a lack of transparency and accountability to put more women and unborn children at risk. We are demanding answers, and we won’t stop until we have them.” "In the first 9 months of the second Trump administration alone, at least 18 women miscarried in ICE custody, and since then ICE has just stopped counting. Pregnant women in custody have continuously been denied access to routine and emergency medical care. Where is their humanity?" said Congresswoman Robin Kelly. "My colleagues and I are demanding accountability and real answers. Everyone – no matter where you're from – deserves to be treated with dignity and respect." “It is well documented that incarceration significantly worsens maternal health outcomes and increases risks for pregnancy loss, including miscarriages and adverse birth events, due to high stress, poor nutrition, and limited access to quality medical care,” the members wrote in the letter. “Firsthand accounts from detainees indicate they are struggling to access routine and emergency medical care, including not being scheduled for blood tests or an ultrasound to confirm a healthy pregnancy and not receiving prenatal vitamins. The agency has also reportedly denied repeated requests for medical records from detainees, leaving them in the dark about their medical history and the need for any additional follow-up care.” ICE’s own policy says it generally should not detain people known to be pregnant, postpartum, or nursing for administrative immigration violations, unless release is prohibited by law or exceptional circumstances exist. When those individuals are detained, the policy requires access to specialized medical care and restricts the use of certain restraints. Despite those safeguards, records cited in the letter show that the number of pregnant women and adolescents in detention rose from at least 87 in October 2025 to 101 in November 2025. The lawmakers describe reports of delayed emergency treatment, barriers to specialist care, and people going without blood tests, ultrasounds, or prenatal vitamins. Some detainees have also reportedly been denied repeated requests for their medical records, making it harder to understand their treatment and obtain follow-up care. The letter demands complete responses by November 6, 2026, including: The number of pregnant people detained and how ICE justifies detention under its “exceptional circumstances” standard. A full accounting of miscarriages, stillbirths, serious pregnancy complications, hospitalizations, and emergency transfers since October 3, 2025. An explanation of missing data, efforts to recover it, and when agency leadership learned about reporting failures. Records of outside medical care that was denied or delayed, complaints about pregnancy-related care, and investigations into potential violations. Trump’s expansion of immigration detention does not give ICE free rein to disregard its own safeguards or evade congressional oversight and dehumanize those within its custody. The agency is responsible for the people it holds—and must answer for their treatment. Reps. Pettersen, Beatty, and Kelly were joined in their effort by 64 other Members, including: Rep. Quigley (D-IL), Rep. Watson Coleman (D-NJ), Del. Homles Norton (D-DC