Lawmakers Demand Proper Care for Pregnant Migrant Teens

Reps. Gonzalez and Castro tour detention facility in South Texas, raise concerns about medical treatment

Apr. 9, 2026 at 8:33am

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A pensive, solitary figure of a young pregnant woman sitting on a bench outside a plain government building, the scene bathed in warm, cinematic light and shadow evoking a sense of isolation and vulnerability.The detention of pregnant migrant teens in a remote border town facility raises concerns about their access to proper medical care and support.San Benito Today

Two Democratic U.S. Representatives from South Texas, Vicente Gonzalez and Joaquin Castro, toured a federal detention facility in San Benito, Texas where pregnant migrant teens as young as 13 are being held. The lawmakers expressed concerns about the lack of on-site medical care and the overall conditions for the 13 girls, including 3 infants, currently detained at the facility run by the Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Refugee Resettlement.

Why it matters

The detention of pregnant minors, some as young as 13 years old, in a facility without adequate medical resources raises serious concerns about the treatment and well-being of vulnerable migrant populations. The lawmakers' visit highlights the ongoing debate over immigration policies and the care provided to undocumented individuals, especially those with special needs.

The details

During their tour, Reps. Gonzalez and Castro found that the San Benito facility lacks an on-site doctor, and that in medical emergencies the pregnant teens would have to be transported to the nearest hospital. The lawmakers want to ensure that no American citizens are being held at the facility and that the girls are receiving the minimum standard of medical care required for pregnant women in the U.S.

  • The lawmakers toured the facility on Tuesday, April 9, 2026.

The players

Vicente Gonzalez

A U.S. Representative from South Texas who represents the congressional district where the San Benito detention facility is located.

Joaquin Castro

A U.S. Representative from South Texas who joined Gonzalez in touring the detention facility.

Department of Health and Human Services

The federal agency that oversees the Office of Refugee Resettlement, which runs the San Benito detention facility where the pregnant migrant teens are being held.

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What they’re saying

“We want to make sure the pregnant teens are getting the medical care they need and that there are facilities on site to help them.”

— Vicente Gonzalez, U.S. Representative

“This administration is trying to punish even pregnant teenage girls.”

— Joaquin Castro, U.S. Representative

What’s next

The lawmakers plan to follow up with the Department of Health and Human Services to ensure the pregnant migrant teens are receiving adequate medical care and that no American citizens are being improperly detained at the San Benito facility.

The takeaway

The detention of pregnant minors in a facility without proper medical resources highlights the ongoing challenges in providing humane treatment and care for vulnerable migrant populations. This issue will likely continue to be a point of debate and scrutiny as lawmakers and advocates push for reforms to immigration policies and detention practices.