ICE to end detentions of most pregnant, nursing and postpartum immigrants

• The policy reverses a Trump-era rule passed in 2017 that “ended the presumption of release for all pregnant detainees," per the Washington Post.
• ICE detained pregnant individuals more than 4,600 times from 2016 to 2018, according to a Government Accountability Office report.

The big picture: ICE's new policy expands on Obama-era rules that exempted most pregnant individuals from immigration detention.

• The Biden administration's policy also includes those who gave birth within the year and those who are nursing.
• The language in the new policy will be gender-neutral, acknowledging that transgender men can give birth, marking another change from prior policy, according to the New York Times.

What they're saying: "ICE is committed to safeguarding the integrity of our immigration system and preserving the health and safety of pregnant, postpartum and nursing individuals," acting ICE director Tae D. Johnson said in a statement.

• "Given the unique needs of this population, we will not detain individuals known to be pregnant, postpartum or nursing unless release is prohibited by law or exceptional circumstances exist."

Of note: Pregnant and postpartum immigrants may still be detained if they pose "an imminent risk of death, violence or physical harm" or are a national security concern, according to ICE.

Go deeper: Biden's major border shake-up