ICE Deported 363 Pregnant and Postpartum Women — 16 Miscarriages in Detention

DHS data obtained through congressional oversight revealed that between January 1, 2025 and February 16, 2026, ICE deported 363 pregnant, postpartum, or nursing women. In total, 498 pregnant, postpartum, or nursing people were "booked out" of ICE detention in that period.

The numbers are stark:

• 363 pregnant/postpartum/nursing women deported in 13 months
• 16 miscarriages recorded in ICE detention by late September 2025
• 121 pregnant/postpartum/nursing people actively detained as of February 16, 2026
• 9 women in their third trimester of pregnancy currently in detention

This represents a fundamental policy shift. Under previous administrations, ICE booked similar numbers of pregnant people (347 in 2023, 375 in 2022) — but most were released or paroled, not deported. ICE's own policy states it "generally does not detain, arrest, or take into custody aliens known to be pregnant" except in "exceptional circumstances." The data shows the exception has become the rule.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has warned that detaining pregnant people creates "significant risk to their health." The ACLU documented "neglect and abuse" of pregnant women in ICE detention, including inadequate prenatal and postpartum care.

DHS could not clarify what happened to 135 of the 498 individuals "booked out" — whether they were deported, released, or transferred — highlighting a recordkeeping system that cannot even track what happens to pregnant women in its custody.

Senator Patty Murray called the DHS response to congressional oversight "inadequate" and demanded accountability for the treatment of the most vulnerable people in government custody.