Democratic Lawmakers Demand ICE Data on Detainee Miscarriages After Agency Lost Count
House Democrats ask ICE to explain missing miscarriage records and compliance with a 2021 directive limiting detention of pregnant immigrants.
At a glance
- Democratic lawmakers sent a letter to ICE demanding data on miscarriages among pregnant detainees after the agency admitted losing count.
- ICE recorded 18 miscarriages in the first nine months of the Trump administration but has no data after October 3, 2025.
- Lawmakers cite a 2021 directive to avoid detaining pregnant immigrants and ask ICE to explain its compliance.
A group of Democratic representatives led by Brittany Pettersen, Joyce Beatty and Robin Kelly has sent a letter to ICE acting director David Venturella demanding data on how many pregnant immigrants have experienced miscarriages, stillbirths and pregnancy-related hospitalizations while in custody. The request follows a Guardian investigation that found ICE detained a record number of pregnant women and teens but lost track of miscarriage outcomes after 3 October 2025.
The lawmakers, joined by 64 other representatives, also asked ICE to explain what steps have been taken to recover missing data and on what grounds the agency continues to detain pregnant immigrants. A 2021 directive instructs ICE to avoid detaining pregnant, postpartum and nursing immigrants unless release is prohibited by law or exceptional circumstances exist, and requires close monitoring and documentation of their health.
Government documents obtained by the Guardian show ICE recorded 18 miscarriages during the first nine months of the Trump administration but has no data after 3 October 2025. Detained women reported difficulty accessing routine and emergency medical care, and medical experts warned that lapses in care could turn treatable conditions into life-threatening emergencies.
ICE attributed the data gap to a change in medical billing providers in October 2025 that delayed claims processing for months. A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson initially said the agency tracked miscarriages in monthly reports but later confirmed the agency lacks data for the period from October 2025 through June 2026. DHS called claims of substandard care "FALSE" but did not confirm receipt of the congressional letter.
Pettersen said it was "deeply concerning" that ICE failed to account for a full year of pregnancy outcomes. The lawmakers gave ICE until 6 November to respond, including when leadership first became aware of reporting deficiencies. Prior to the Guardian's reporting, the agency had not acknowledged the data loss even when questioned by senators. The Guardian has filed a Freedom of Information Act request and a lawsuit with the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press to obtain the data.
Source: The Guardian.
Questions and answers
- Why are Democrats demanding ICE data on miscarriages?
- A Guardian investigation found ICE lost track of miscarriage data after October 2025 while detaining record numbers of pregnant women.
- What does the 2021 ICE directive say about pregnant detainees?
- The directive instructs ICE to avoid detaining pregnant, postpartum, and nursing immigrants unless release is prohibited by law or exceptional circumstances exist.
- What reason did ICE give for missing miscarriage data?
- ICE said it lost data because it changed medical billing providers in October 2025, causing months of delayed claims processing.
