Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) recently found herself at the center of controversy following a tweet she posted on June 24, 2025, regarding the tragic experience of Iris Dayana Monterroso-Lemus, a Guatemalan woman who suffered a stillbirth while detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Jayapal expressed her sorrow over the incident, describing it as "very sad" and "tragic," but her characterization of the fetus as a "baby" has drawn criticism from various quarters who see it as conflicting with her pro-abortion stance.
The situation unfolded when Monterroso-Lemus, who entered the U.S. illegally in 2018, alleged severe neglect at an Alabama detention facility, including being fed cockroach-infested food, forced to sleep on the floor, and denied medical care for her unborn child. The stillbirth occurred on April 29 at Ochsner LSU Health–Monroe Medical Center in Louisiana, and Monterroso-Lemus was deported shortly thereafter on May 9.
Critics, including Christian influencer Kangmin Lee and the website Not the Bee, accused Jayapal of hypocrisy, pointing to her past statements where she has referred to abortion as "health care" and a "human right." They argue that her expression of grief implies recognition of the fetus as a life, which they view as contradictory to her support for abortion rights. LifeNews.com and other social media users echoed this sentiment, challenging the consistency of Jayapal's language.
In response to Jayapal's accusations of ICE's neglect, Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), countered that Monterroso-Lemus received comprehensive prenatal care, as evidenced by documentation. McLaughlin highlighted Monterroso-Lemus's criminal history, which includes multiple arrests for child abuse and an active homicide warrant in Guatemala.
DHS issued a press release disputing Monterroso-Lemus's claims, stating she had access to fetal Doppler ultrasounds, OB-GYN visits, dental care, hospital services, and prescribed medications. They also noted that she was given immediate medical attention when she reported distress on the day of the stillbirth.
Despite the criticism, Jayapal has stood by her commitment to reproductive rights and humane treatment for all detainees. She reiterated her stance that "Every person in custody deserves basic medical care and dignity," reaffirming her advocacy for the rights of those in detention.
The incident has sparked renewed debate around the conditions in U.S. immigration detention centers and the broader treatment of illegal immigrants, with Jayapal's tweet drawing attention to the complexities of the intersection between immigration policy and reproductive rights.
