“March of Dimes fully supports the Biden Administration’s announcement directing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to avoid arresting and detaining pregnant and nursing persons and new guidelines for their treatment when they are unavoidably taken into government custody.
“Under the new policy, Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers generally will not detain or arrest people who are pregnant or nursing, or who had a baby within the previous year, according to a draft of the plan. ICE will be required to evaluate individuals already in custody to determine if their continued detention is appropriate. The policy largely bars the use of restraints in facilities and would ensure that they are never used during labor and delivery.
“March of Dimes is pleased to see these new steps which reverse past policies that placed pregnant people in danger without access to quality prenatal and postpartum care when they needed it most. It also appropriately recognizes the importance of parental bonding with their newborns following childbirth. Pregnant, postpartum, and nursing persons, as well as infants, must have access to quality and consistent health care to ensure optimum birth outcomes and infant development. As the leader in ensuring the health of all moms and babies, we stand firm on keeping moms and babies healthy and safe – regardless of their immigration status.”