Christian Menefee Presses Immigration Expert on ICE Treatment of Pregnant Women

Lawmakers in the House of Representatives are continuing to investigate birth tourism, with some more focused on how to prevent it and others on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers' mistreatment of immigrant mothers.

While Republicans like Representative Brandon Gill (R-TX) focused on how to prevent what he described as “birth tourism schemes,” Democrats like Rep. Christian Menefee (D-TX) were more concerned about how pregnant women are being treated in ICE detention centers.

“Over a dozen women told advocates and their attorneys that they suffered mistreatment and neglect while pregnant and in immigration custody,” Rep. Menefee said, citing an NBC News report in which women described miscarriages, bleeding and, in some cases, being shackled or restrained.

Among the witnesses was Dr. Steven Camarota, director of research at the Center for Immigration Studies, who several White House officials have cited as a “top expert” and key player in the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.

“They've used your research to craft policy, to craft laws,” Rep. Menefee said. “You've testified before Congress more than two dozen times on this subject, so you own this administration's immigration record as much as anybody sitting outside of the West Wing.”

Camarota said he was not familiar with any of these cases, but that he condemns any such actions by ICE officials.

“If this woman was abused, the party should be prosecuted. I've never advocated any such thing.

Camarota also said he was “not familiar” with other cases related to ICE misconduct, including the shooting and killing of Houston resident Lorenzo Salgado Rajo, but that he believes those responsible should be held accountable.

Rep. Menefee, though seeming satisfied with Camarota’s response, still pressed him on his involvement with the administration’s weaponization of ICE.

“The Trump administration's immigration campaign has been brutal and inhumane,” Rep. Menefee said. “And Dr. Camarota, you own that outcome.”