Protecting Pregnant Mothers and their Children Can Never be Considered “Obsolete”

WASHINGTON – “It is deeply troubling and inexcusable that measures intended to ensure the basic safety of pregnant mothers and their young children while in government custody could be rescinded with such indifference toward the vulnerability of those involved,” said Bishop Mark J. Seitz of El Paso, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Migration, and Bishop Daniel E. Thomas of Toledo, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Pro-Life Activities. The bishops were responding to the Trump Administration’s recent rescission of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) guidance for addressing the heightened needs of pregnant and postpartum women and their newborn children while in CBP custody. 

The rescinded policy established minimum standards of care, including that mothers and their babies receive food, water, formula, safe places to sleep, and regular monitoring, as well as that they be placed in the least restrictive setting possible. The rationale given for the rescission was that the guidance was “obsolete or misaligned with current Agency guidance and immigration enforcement priorities.” Related guidance pertaining to custodial considerations for medically at-risk individuals was also rescinded. No new guidance was promulgated in their place. 

The bishops’ full statement follows: 

“The U.S. bishops have spoken plainly and clearly about the proven harms that immigration detention is known to inflict on families and especially on young children, opposing its use for these populations unless absolutely necessary. It is deeply troubling and inexcusable that measures intended to ensure the basic safety of pregnant mothers and their young children while in government custody could be rescinded with such indifference toward the vulnerability of those involved. As a result, instances of neglect and abuse, even if inadvertent, will be more likely to occur, putting the lives of pregnant mothers and their children at risk. This decision is all the more concerning as the Administration simultaneously ramps up family detention in place of safer, more cost-effective alternatives to detention. 

“Let us be clear: protecting pregnant mothers and their children can never be considered ‘obsolete.’ This principle irrefutably extends to noncitizens in immigration detention, each of whom possesses an inviolable, God-given dignity that must be respected. We urge the Administration to reissue guidance that adequately reflects and affirms the increased standard of care due to this vulnerable population while in government custody.”

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