ICE Stopped Tracking Miscarriage Data in 2025
Federal records show 18 miscarriages occurred in custody before the agency shifted its medical billing systems.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Immigration
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) recorded 18 miscarriages among detainees between January and September 2025. The agency ceased tracking this specific data following a transition to a new medical billing contractor on October 3, 2025.
Why it matters
The reporting gap complicates oversight of reproductive healthcare for individuals in federal custody, which totaled 121 pregnant, postpartum, or nursing detainees as of February 16, 2026.
Official data confirms 18 miscarriages occurred between January and September 2025, while records show 498 pregnant, nursing, or postpartum individuals were processed out of custody between January 2025 and February 2026.
The players
Immigration and Customs Enforcement
The federal agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws and managing detention facilities across the United States.
Acentra Health
A private company that became the medical billing contractor for ICE facilities in October 2025.
Veterans Affairs Financial Services Center
A government entity that previously processed medical claims for ICE prior to the transition in late 2025.
The details
Internal documents indicate the data gap stems from the transition of medical claims processing from the Veterans Affairs Financial Services Center to Acentra Health. Despite the tracking lapse, ICE held 101 pregnant women and adolescents in November 2025, with nine individuals in their third trimester remaining in custody as of mid-February 2026.
Timeline
January 2025 to September 2025: 18 miscarriages were recorded in ICE detention.
October 3, 2025: ICE stopped tracking updated miscarriage data.
October 2025: ICE transitioned to a new medical billing contractor.
January 1, 2025 to February 16, 2026: 498 pregnant, postpartum, and nursing people were booked out of custody.
February 16, 2026: 121 pregnant, postpartum, or nursing people remained in ICE custody.
Political Context
The tracking lapse highlights recurring concerns from advocacy groups regarding medical oversight within federal detention facilities, which are governed by the Performance-Based National Detention Standards. Opponents argue that shifting medical claims to private contractors creates accountability barriers that impede the consistent monitoring of vulnerable populations.
Taxpayers and concerned citizens face reduced transparency regarding how federal agencies manage medical care for detainees. This reporting gap may influence future legislative efforts to mandate standardized medical record-keeping across all immigration detention facilities.
The takeaway
The transition of medical billing systems has created a significant gap in the public reporting of maternal health outcomes within the immigration system. Increased scrutiny of private contractor performance remains a central focus for those monitoring standards of care in federal custody.
Further reading
For broader context on federal oversight and border policies, visit the Immigration section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by International Business Times UK.
