Undocumented Pregnant Girl Allowed To Get Abortion After Full Court Overturns Panel’s Decision
A three-judge panel of the appeals court had earlier ruled that the government has 11 days to find a sponsor for the girl so that she could obtain an abortion outside the government's care. The full court, however, said its decision "rights a grave constitutional wrong by the government."
The Associated Press:
Federal Court Clears Way For Immigrant Teen To Get Abortion
A federal appeals court on Tuesday cleared the way for a 17-year-old immigrant held in custody in Texas to obtain an abortion. The full U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled 6-3 in favor of the teen. The decision overturned a ruling by a three-judge panel of the court that at least temporarily blocked her from getting an abortion. The Trump administration could still appeal the decision to the Supreme Court. (10/24)
Politico:
Federal Appeals Court Clears Way For Undocumented Teen To Get Abortion
On Sunday the girl’s lawyers had asked the full court to set aside the decision, saying that they’ve exhausted their options to find a sponsor. They said the delay brings the girl, now close to 16 weeks pregnant, dangerously close to the states’ 20-week limit on abortion. The court’s full bench split along party lines with six Democrat appointed judges ruling in favor, three Republican appointees bitterly denouncing the decision and one Democratic appointee recusing herself. (Rayasam and Gerstein, 10/24)
Los Angeles Times:
U.S. Appeals Court Rejects Trump Antiabortion Rule, Clears The Way For 17-Year-Old Immigrant To End Her Pregnancy
Although the ruling directly affects only the one pregnant teenager who brought the case, it strongly indicates that the appeals court, which has jurisdiction over federal agencies nationwide, would strike down efforts by administration officials to block abortions in similar cases. The ACLU, which represented Doe, says that in the last year, administration officials repeatedly have tried to prevent pregnant minors in detention from having abortions. (Savage, 10/24)