Suzel Velázquez Raigada, a 26-year-old Cuban residing in San Antonio, Texas, has been confined at the Karnes County Detention Center for five months. She is seven months into a high-risk pregnancy, and her family fears the baby might be born within the confines of this immigration facility.
The story was highlighted by Telemundo 60 San Antonio last Thursday, featuring interviews with Suzel from the detention center and her husband, Jorge, a U.S. permanent resident who has endured the pregnancy from afar with much distress.
Suzel was detained on October 21, 2025, during a routine ICE appointment, despite being under political asylum protection. It was within the detention center that she discovered her pregnancy.
Doctors have labeled her pregnancy as high-risk due to heart complications and other health issues. From Karnes, Suzel expressed her ordeal: "These five months in detention have been extremely challenging."
Challenges Faced by Pregnant Women in Detention
"In this specific center, there are many things that are quite difficult for someone in my condition," Suzel noted. The Karnes County center was reopened for family detention in early 2025, amid the Trump administration's stricter immigration policies.
Her husband, Jorge, shared with Telemundo 60 the emotional toll of the situation: "It's very difficult, unfortunately, for me and my family."
"All I can do when she comes is give her a hug, touch her belly, and that's it. I haven't been able to talk to my baby, I haven't been able to give a kiss, I haven't been able to say anything," he added.
Human Rights Concerns Over Detention Practices
A Department of Homeland Security report indicates that in recent months, 363 pregnant, postpartum, or nursing women have been detained in U.S. immigration centers. Human rights organizations have condemned the conditions these women face.
Human Rights Watch noted that, at the time of their inquiry, 86 pregnant women were actively detained under ICE custody, a figure that underscores a rising trend in the use of immigration detention against vulnerable groups.
The ordeal of Suzel and Jorge adds to the growing list of parents unable to meet their newborns due to immigration detention, a harsh reality affecting numerous Cuban and other immigrant families across the United States.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pregnant Women in ICE Detention
Why was Suzel Velázquez Raigada detained by ICE?
Suzel was detained during a routine ICE appointment despite being under political asylum protection. She discovered her pregnancy while in detention.
What are the health concerns for Suzel's pregnancy?
Suzel's pregnancy is considered high-risk due to heart complications and other health issues, which pose significant challenges during her detention.
How has the detention affected Suzel's family?
The detention has kept Suzel's husband, Jorge, from experiencing his wife's pregnancy and connecting with their unborn child, causing emotional distress for the family.
What is the broader impact of ICE detention on pregnant women?
Detention centers have held numerous pregnant women, raising concerns about the conditions and treatment of vulnerable populations, with reports of hundreds of pregnant, postpartum, or nursing women detained in recent months.