FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, May 4, 2022
Press Contact: Jessica Ortiz, [email protected]
“At RAICES we work every day to make our border more welcoming for all. Overturning Roe v. Wade would do the exact opposite.”
San Antonio, Texas – In response to the leak of Supreme Court Justice Alito’s draft opinion indicating that the Supreme Court will overturn Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, Pablo Rodriguez, Director of Detained Unaccompanied Children Services, released the following statement:
“The leaked draft opinion written by Justice Alito is highly concerning for our clients and the immigrant and refugee communities we serve. Our clients already have difficulty accessing healthcare and essential resources. Overturning Roe v. Wade would create another barrier to care.
“If the Court overturns Roe v. Wade, trigger bans that would make abortion illegal and other extreme abortion restrictions would go into effect immediately in nearly every state along the southeast border of the country, including here in Texas. These bans would be devastating for low-income people, people of color, and immigrants who may not have the resources or the immigration status to travel safely across state lines to access the healthcare they need.
“At RAICES we work every day to make our border more welcoming for all. Overturning Roe v. Wade would do the exact opposite – it would create a healthcare crisis that would endanger the lives of our clients, especially those who have survived human trafficking and sexual assualt, and members of border communities.
“It’s important to remember that this upcoming decision is not just about abortion rights. Every single civil and human right that depends on the 13th and 14th amendments, such as marriage equality, contraception, and bodily autonomy, will be impacted by a decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.
“RAICES condemns Justice Alito’s draft opinion and is in solidarity with reproductive justice organizations and the millions of people whose lives will be devastated should this draft opinion become final.”
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The Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency that promotes justice by providing free and low-cost legal services to underserved immigrant children, families, and refugees. Learn more at Raicestexas.org.
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