NATIONWIDE – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is ending their policy of releasing pregnant immigrants.

Pregnant detainees will now stay in ICE custody for immigration violations, amending nationwide detention standards, according to a new policy. The changes came after President Donald Trump’s Executive Order, Enhancing Public Safety in the Interior of the United States, which directs ICE to remove all undocumented immigrants from the country.

When a pregnant immigrant is detained, ICE will notify the Enforcement and Removal Operations, Homeland Security Investigations, Field Office Directors, and Special Agents in Charge.

ICE medical staff will have a 72 hour deadline to notify the ERO Field Office Directors that a detained immigrant is pregnant.

Officials claim pregnant immigrants will receive “appropriate medical care” while they are in custody. If one detention facility does not have adequate prenatal care, the detainee will be transported to another facility or for off-site treatment.

Medical records for the detained mothers will be destroyed after 10 years and after the minor’s 27^th birthday.

Some pregnant immigrants can still be automatically released. However, it is on a case-by-case basis taking special factors into account. Women in their third trimester will be exempt from detention.

ICE claims only pregnant women who are deemed a danger to the community or a flight risk will be detained.