Pregnant Cape Verdean hospitalized after ICE arrest in Massachusetts, Boston says25News
A Cape Verdean woman who is six months pregnant was detained by ICE in Massachusetts and hospitalized after reporting abdominal pain and inadequate conditions in detention, Boston25News reported. The case raises questions about the treatment of pregnant women in immigration custody in the United States.
A 22-year-old Cape Verdean woman, six months pregnant, was hospitalized for almost a week after being detained by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agents in the United States. The information was published by Boston25News.
Djeniffer Ribeiro-Semedo, a resident of Brockton, Massachusetts, said she spent three days in a cell at the ICE detention center in Burlington, sleeping on cement benches and without beds. According to her, she did not receive adequate food or medical care during her time in custody. The young woman reported that she was basically fed mac and cheese for breakfast, lunch and dinner, which she considers inappropriate for a pregnant woman.
On February 13, after complaining of severe abdominal pain, she was transferred to Beth Israel Hospital. She expects to be discharged and released subject to a commitment to appear in court.
Djeniffer arrived in the United States at the age of 13 from Cape Verde. According to her account, she entered the country legally through her mother, who obtained permanent residency through marriage. Her mother's legal status was later terminated. The young woman said that she only became aware of an arrest warrant in her name last week, related to a domestic assault charge involving a former partner, which took place in 2024.
According to her lawyer, Carl Hurvich, she appeared in state court to handle the case when she was detained by ICE as she left the hearing. The state judge ruled that Djeniffer poses no risk to the community and ordered that no bail be set. Her lawyer argues that the stress and conditions in detention have negatively affected her health and her pregnancy.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), through Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, told Boston25News that the arrest took place on February 11 in Brockton District Court, after the young woman had been released by state authorities. The agency also reported that the transfer to the hospital followed standard procedures and that pregnant women in detention receive prenatal care, nutritional support and access to emergency medical care, according to current policies.
Djeniffer will now have to appear before the US Immigration Court and the Federal District Court to decide her future in the country.
