Statement of Stacey D. Stewart, President, March of Dimes on the Mistreatment of Pregnant Women in Immigration Detention

WASHINGTON, July 9, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- March of Dimes released the following statement from President Stacey D. Stewart on the mistreatment of pregnant women being held in immigration detention:

"March of Dimes is horrified by recent reports of the mistreatment of pregnant women who are being detained while their immigration status is resolved.  Under no circumstances is it acceptable to withhold lifesaving medical care or shackle pregnant women, regardless of their immigration status. Reports of systemic failures to protect the basic health of women and babies in U.S. government custody is unconscionable."

"We call on the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to immediately investigate these reports and ensure that all government employees, contractors, and facilities abide by existing guidelines and policies surrounding detention, restraint and provision of medical care to pregnant women.  We further call on Congress to immediately initiate formal inquiries into these practices that violate Congressional directives, as well as existing DHS and Customs and Border Protection guidelines."

About March of Dimes    
March of Dimes leads the fight for the health of all moms and babies. By lobbying for policies to protect them, working to radically improve the healthcare they receive, pioneering research to find solutions to the toughest problems and empowering families with the knowledge and tools to have healthier pregnancies, March of Dimes builds on an 80-year legacy of impact and innovation to support every mom and every baby. Visit our websites marchofdimes.org and nacersano.org.  For detailed national, state and local perinatal statistics, visit peristats.org. You can also find us on Facebook or follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

SOURCE March of Dimes