An investigation by The Texas Newsroom and The California Newsroom found that the Trump administration is still detaining pregnant migrant youth in South Texas, a region with insufficient specialized obstetric care. Government records indicate that during the first ten months of the practice, four of 21 pregnant girls placed in the area required transfer out of state to receive necessary medical services, including at least one abortion procedure. The administration has denied the existence of such a policy, stating that it ensures pregnant minors receive appropriate care based on child welfare best practices.
The Office of Refugee Resettlement explicitly directed staff in July 2025 to send all pregnant youth to a shelter in San Benito near Brownsville, according to internal documents obtained through a public records request. Months later, the agency began directing pregnant girls to a different nearby shelter instead, according to three ORR officials. The practice has drawn strong criticism from current and former government officials, health experts, and members of Congress who argue that adolescent pregnancies require specialized care unavailable in the area.
Democratic lawmakers sent a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services demanding transparency about the policy in April. In a September response, an HHS assistant secretary stated that ORR does not use a blanket rule for placing pregnant youth and takes seriously its responsibility to protect their health and safety. However, critics argue that the agency’s own records contradict these statements and demonstrate an informal but consistent policy of directing pregnant minors to South Texas.
The broader pattern shows an increase in migrant youth detention in Texas under the Trump administration. Internal reports indicate that 95 percent of roughly 300 children apprehended by immigration officials in September were placed in detention in Texas, up from 45 percent in June. Advocates, former officials, and congressional members have criticized the shift, arguing that Texas lacks the capacity and resources to provide appropriate care for vulnerable children, particularly those with specialized medical needs.
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