After the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the landmark 1973 Roe vs. Wade ruling which recognized women’s constitutional right to abortion, women with indeterminate immigration statuses face additional hurdles to access abortion care. It is certain that anti-abortion regulations will put women without legal status in this country in a more vulnerable situation. This is especially because states that are home to the highest populations of undocumented people are the states that are advocating against abortion, such as Texas and Arizona. These anti-abortion laws will make it more challenging for immigrants without status to get abortions, as they already experience difficulty in accessing health benefits.
The legality of abortion is now under individual state’s decisions. Abortion is legal in New York where health care practitioners provide abortion care up to the second trimester. Undocumented immigrants who are eligible with a proof of address can receive abortions at hospitals in the United States. So, many undocumented immigrants will be fleeing to states like NY where abortion is still legal. They will want access to the NYC care program that promises patients a primary care appointment within two weeks and access to specialty care. Thankfully, New York based organization Brigid Alliance provides help including food, lodging, and childcare for undocumented immigrants seeking abortions in New York.
Fortunately, on July 8th, 2022, President Biden signed an executive order which pledges to ensure the safety of abortion patients and providers by setting up mobile clinics near the borders of states which are restricting abortion access.
