Pregnant Immigrant Teens in Texas Shelter Face Safety Concerns

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

More than a dozen pregnant, unaccompanied immigrant minors have been sent to a south Texas immigration shelter that is not equipped to properly care for them, according to new reporting. Advocates fear the teens were placed there because of the state's near-total abortion ban, and at least half of the pregnancies reportedly resulted from rape. Some of the pregnant children are as young as 13 years old.

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing concerns about the treatment of vulnerable immigrant minors, particularly pregnant teens, in the wake of restrictive abortion laws in states like Texas. There are questions about whether the shelter can adequately address the complex medical and mental health needs of these young, pregnant detainees.

The details

According to Houston Public Media, more than a dozen pregnant, unaccompanied immigrant minors have been sent to the shelter in San Benito, Texas, which advocates say is not equipped to properly care for them. At least half of the pregnancies reportedly resulted from rape, and some of the girls are as young as 13 years old. Experts fear the teens were placed there due to Texas' near-total abortion ban, which makes it extremely difficult for minors to access reproductive healthcare.

• The pregnant immigrant minors were recently sent to the shelter in San Benito, Texas.