Democratic Women’s Caucus demands release of pregnant immigrants in ICE detention – Yahoo

Report on the Detention of Pregnant, Postpartum, and Nursing Immigrants by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

Introduction and Policy Context

A formal demand has been issued by the Democratic Women’s Caucus for the release of pregnant, postpartum, and nursing immigrants detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) who are not considered a security risk. This action is in response to multiple reports alleging that detained individuals are subjected to conditions that jeopardize their health and safety, directly contravening several key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The lawmakers’ appeal references a Biden-era policy directive that generally prohibits the detention of pregnant, postpartum, or nursing individuals except under “exceptional circumstances,” such as posing a national security threat. Despite this policy not being formally rescinded, reports from organizations including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) indicate its inconsistent application.

Challenges to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The reported detention practices present significant challenges to the achievement of several SDGs, particularly those focused on health, equality, and justice.

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The primary concern is the direct threat to the health of both the mothers and their children. Reports of inadequate prenatal care, insufficient nutrition, poor sleeping conditions, and lack of access to pumping supplies in detention facilities are in direct opposition to the goal of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all. The stress associated with detention and family separation further exacerbates health risks during critical perinatal periods.
• SDG 5: Gender Equality: The issue disproportionately affects women, highlighting a failure to implement gender-responsive policies that protect vulnerable individuals. Ensuring the safety and health of pregnant, postpartum, and nursing women is a fundamental aspect of achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: The detention of this specific group based on their immigration status underscores systemic inequalities. The call for their release and for adherence to protective policies is a move toward reducing inequalities and ensuring that vulnerable populations are not subjected to harmful conditions.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: The lack of transparency from ICE regarding the number of detained individuals undermines institutional accountability. A congressional reporting requirement lapsed in March, and subsequent requests for data from lawmakers and civil liberties organizations have not been fulfilled. The demand for a review of ICE processes and training is a call to strengthen institutional integrity and ensure justice and due process for all.

Key Demands and Recommendations

In a letter signed by 61 lawmakers addressed to the acting Director of ICE, the caucus outlined a series of demands aimed at aligning agency practices with humanitarian standards and policy directives. The key recommendations are as follows:

1. The immediate release of all pregnant, postpartum, and nursing immigrants in ICE custody who do not pose a demonstrable security risk.
2. A comprehensive review of all internal processes and training protocols related to the treatment of pregnant, postpartum, and nursing individuals.
3. The public release of data, including:
   • The total number of pregnant women detained.
   • Statistics on births, miscarriages, and other obstetric emergencies that have occurred in custody.

The lawmakers have requested a substantive response to these demands within 45 days.

Conclusion

The detention of pregnant, postpartum, and nursing immigrants under the reported conditions raises significant human rights concerns and conflicts with the principles of the Sustainable Development Goals. The demands put forth by the Democratic Women’s Caucus emphasize the need for greater transparency, accountability, and adherence to policies designed to protect vulnerable populations, thereby promoting better health outcomes (SDG 3), advancing gender equality (SDG 5), reducing systemic inequalities (SDG 10), and fostering just and strong institutions (SDG 16).

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article highlights issues concerning the health, rights, and treatment of a vulnerable group of immigrants, connecting directly to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The primary SDGs addressed are:

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The core of the article revolves around the health risks faced by pregnant, postpartum, and nursing immigrants in detention. It explicitly mentions inadequate prenatal care, poor nutrition, and stressful conditions that subject “both the pregnant individual and the unborn child to significant risks and possible death.”
• SDG 5: Gender Equality: The issue specifically targets a vulnerable group of women. The call to action by the Democratic Women’s Caucus to protect pregnant, postpartum, and nursing individuals is a matter of upholding the rights and ensuring the safety of women, thereby relating to the goal of achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions: The article discusses the actions and policies of a government institution (ICE), the call for adherence to policy directives (“Biden-era policy directive that bans ICE from arresting or detaining immigrants who are pregnant”), and the lack of transparency and accountability. The failure to report data and the demand for a review of processes point to the need for effective, accountable, and transparent institutions.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the specific problems and demands outlined in the article, the following SDG targets can be identified:

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • Target 3.1: “By 2030, reduce the global maternal mortality ratio…” The article’s warning that detaining women in “appalling conditions” could lead to “possible death” for the pregnant individual directly connects to the goal of preventing maternal mortality.
   • Target 3.8: “Achieve universal health coverage, including… access to quality essential health-care services…” The reports of detainees not receiving “adequate food, sleeping situations, prenatal care or access to pumping supplies” clearly indicate a failure to provide essential healthcare services to this population.

2. SDG 5: Gender Equality

   • Target 5.1: “End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere.” The policy of detaining pregnant and nursing women, who are uniquely vulnerable, can be viewed as a discriminatory practice that fails to protect their specific health and safety needs.

3. SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

   • Target 16.3: “Promote the rule of law… and ensure equal access to justice for all.” The lawmakers’ demand for the administration to “adhere to a Biden-era policy directive” is a call to uphold the rule of law within government institutions. The situation described implies that these detained women do not have equal access to justice or protection.
   • Target 16.6: “Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.” The article highlights a significant lack of transparency, noting that “Congress let lapse a requirement that the administration report twice a year” and that “ICE did not respond to The 19th’s request for this data.” The demand for data is a direct call for institutional accountability and transparency.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article explicitly and implicitly points to several indicators that can be used to measure progress:

• Number of detained pregnant, postpartum, and nursing individuals: The article states, “It’s not clear exactly how many pregnant, postpartum or nursing immigrants are in custody.” A key indicator of progress would be the regular and public reporting of this number, with the goal of reducing it to zero for those who do not pose a security risk.
• Data on health outcomes: The lawmakers are “asking for data, including the number of pregnant women who have been detained, as well as any births, miscarriages or other obstetric emergencies.” This data serves as a direct indicator for Target 3.1, measuring the health and well-being of detained women and their children.
• Provision of essential healthcare services: The article mentions the lack of “adequate food,” “prenatal care,” and “access to pumping supplies.” Progress could be measured by indicators such as the percentage of pregnant detainees receiving prenatal care consistent with medical standards or the availability of appropriate nutrition and supplies.
• Institutional transparency and reporting: The article notes the lapse of a congressional reporting requirement. A clear indicator of progress towards Target 16.6 would be the reinstatement and fulfillment of the requirement for the Department of Homeland Security to “publicly report the count every six months” with “detailed justification” for each detention.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: yahoo.com