US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has no updated records of miscarriages among people held in its detention facilities after October 3, 2025, even as the number of pregnant women and teenagers in custody increased, according to documents obtained by The Guardian.
ICE recorded 18 miscarriages during the first nine months of 2025, but its internal records show that miscarriage data was no longer available after October 3 following a change in the agency’s medical claims processing system.
Pregnant detainees report difficulties accessing care
ICE records show that at least 87 pregnant women and adolescents were held in detention in October 2025, rising to at least 101 in November. Some detainees and their lawyers have reported difficulties accessing prenatal examinations, specialist care and treatment following pregnancy complications.
Medical experts cited by The Guardian warned that inadequate care following a miscarriage can lead to serious complications, particularly when follow-up examinations and other necessary treatment are delayed.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has also raised concerns about the medical and mental-health risks associated with detaining pregnant patients.
ICE says its policy remains in place
A 2021 ICE directive instructs the agency to avoid detaining pregnant, postpartum and nursing immigrants except where release is prohibited by law or exceptional circumstances exist. It also requires monitoring of their health and access to appropriate medical care.
A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said the directive remains in effect and that pregnant women receive prenatal visits, mental-health services, nutritional support and other care.
However, The Guardian reported that ICE has acknowledged it does not have miscarriage data covering October 2025 through June 2026. The agency attributed the gap to changes in its medical claims-processing arrangements.
The missing records have prompted renewed questions from lawmakers, immigration attorneys and healthcare advocates about transparency and medical oversight in immigration detention.