Tucked in the latest Homeland Security bill is a rider saying undocumented female immigrants in custody cannot get abortions.
Women detained by ICE, roughly 10 percent of the detention population, have special medical concerns and face unique challenges in detention.
Human Rights Watch recently released a report detailing reports and allegations of sexual abuse and assault in ICE detention facilities across the United States. Though this is not an exhaustive account, the report uses the information to reflect on why the abuse is occurring, what policies are being implemented in response and recommendations on how to stem the abuse going forward.
A number of local and county police departments are now allowed to arrest people for immigration violations. In Tennessee, a pregnant, undocumented immigrant woman was arrested for driving without a license and gave birth, mostly shackled, in jail focusing new attention on local immigration enforcement.
