Pregnant Immigrants Face Harsh Conditions in ICE Detention Centers, Advocates Say

While detained at ICE’s North Lake Processing Center, Lucia learned she was pregnant and later described a series of transfers that ended at the women-only Basile center, where she witnessed numerous high-risk pregnancies and a woman giving birth who vanished afterward. DHS data indicate that roughly 498 pregnant, postpartum or nursing immigrants were detained from January 2025 to February 2026, a rise from previous years.

Critics say the conditions at Basile, including reports of sexual abuse and inadequate medical care, echo a eugenic legacy in U.S. immigration policy. Experts note that guards often accompany detainees to medical appointments, undermining confidentiality, and that many medical claims remain unpaid, delaying essential care. Private-prison operator GEO Group, which runs Basile, reported significant revenue growth, highlighting the profit motive behind detention. Advocates stress that the systemic neglect fuels mistrust of healthcare among immigrant women and calls for policy reforms.