A Pregnant Woman's Desperate Fight for Life at Risk as Deportation Looms in the US
Eight months into her pregnancy, Zharick Daniela Buitrago Ortiz is facing a terrifying ordeal. The 21-year-old woman, who has been deemed to have a "credible fear" of persecution by US immigration authorities, is set to be deported from Atlanta International Airport to Colombia despite being in medical distress.
Attorney Anthony Enriquez, representing Ortiz's case through the Kennedy Human Rights Center, expressed his deep concern for her well-being. "We are trying to get her the medical attention she needs immediately," he said, emphasizing that Ortiz has been denied treatment for her serious symptoms, including shooting pain in her abdomen and back, nausea, and vomiting.
Enriquez's words echo a pattern of neglect towards pregnant detainees under US immigration custody, which has been extensively documented. Since the Trump administration took office, civil rights leaders have reported numerous cases of medical malfeasance, including bleeding, miscarriages, and shackling, all in an effort to deter asylum seekers from pursuing their claims.
The situation is further complicated by a policy that, although exists on paper, is not being applied when it comes to pregnant detainees. According to Enriquez, ICE regularly detains and deports pregnant women as soon as possible, often disregarding the law that protects them from detention during pregnancy.
Ortiz's case highlights the need for urgent action to address the lack of medical care for pregnant detainees in US immigration custody. As Ortiz herself has requested, she needs immediate medical attention to ensure her safety and well-being.
As Ortiz prepares to leave the airport, Enriquez is taking bold steps to protect his client's rights. He plans to file a lawsuit to preserve Ortiz's status quo and ensure that she receives the necessary medical care. The case serves as a stark reminder of the US government's failure to prioritize the health and safety of vulnerable individuals, including pregnant women seeking asylum.
The fate of Zharick Daniela Buitrago Ortiz hangs in the balance, with her life at risk due to the lack of attention from immigration authorities. As Enriquez puts it, "We are fighting for our client's right to live."
Eight months into her pregnancy, Zharick Daniela Buitrago Ortiz is facing a terrifying ordeal. The 21-year-old woman, who has been deemed to have a "credible fear" of persecution by US immigration authorities, is set to be deported from Atlanta International Airport to Colombia despite being in medical distress.
Attorney Anthony Enriquez, representing Ortiz's case through the Kennedy Human Rights Center, expressed his deep concern for her well-being. "We are trying to get her the medical attention she needs immediately," he said, emphasizing that Ortiz has been denied treatment for her serious symptoms, including shooting pain in her abdomen and back, nausea, and vomiting.
Enriquez's words echo a pattern of neglect towards pregnant detainees under US immigration custody, which has been extensively documented. Since the Trump administration took office, civil rights leaders have reported numerous cases of medical malfeasance, including bleeding, miscarriages, and shackling, all in an effort to deter asylum seekers from pursuing their claims.
The situation is further complicated by a policy that, although exists on paper, is not being applied when it comes to pregnant detainees. According to Enriquez, ICE regularly detains and deports pregnant women as soon as possible, often disregarding the law that protects them from detention during pregnancy.
Ortiz's case highlights the need for urgent action to address the lack of medical care for pregnant detainees in US immigration custody. As Ortiz herself has requested, she needs immediate medical attention to ensure her safety and well-being.
As Ortiz prepares to leave the airport, Enriquez is taking bold steps to protect his client's rights. He plans to file a lawsuit to preserve Ortiz's status quo and ensure that she receives the necessary medical care. The case serves as a stark reminder of the US government's failure to prioritize the health and safety of vulnerable individuals, including pregnant women seeking asylum.
The fate of Zharick Daniela Buitrago Ortiz hangs in the balance, with her life at risk due to the lack of attention from immigration authorities. As Enriquez puts it, "We are fighting for our client's right to live."