Recognizing that immigrant justice and reproductive justice are inseparable and must be pursued together.

Bill Number: H.Res. 909
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 1
Policy Area: Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Status: Introduced
Latest Action: 2025-11-21: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, and Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Last Updated: 2026-01-22T14:07:11Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

H. Res. 909 is a non-binding House resolution that recognizes the interconnectedness of immigrant justice (fair treatment for immigrants, including legal pathways and protections) and reproductive justice (the right to personal bodily autonomy, control over sexuality, gender, reproduction, and safe family environments). It aims to highlight how discrimination and systemic barriers affect immigrants' access to reproductive health care and calls for policy changes to address these issues.

Key Provisions Outlined

The resolution includes extensive "Whereas" clauses detailing background issues, such as:

Definitions and shared roots of immigrant and reproductive justice in fighting racism, xenophobia, sexism, and other oppressions.
Barriers immigrants face, including denial of health care, family separations, and exploitation.
Specific problems in detention, like inadequate care for pregnant individuals, forced procedures, medical neglect, and policy reversals (e.g., CBP's 2025 revocation of protections for pregnant people and infants).
Examples of harms, including pregnancy losses in custody and limitations on minors' care in restrictive states.

The "Resolved" section contains 12 affirmations and calls to action by the House of Representatives:

Affirms the inseparability of the two justices and the need for policies based on lived experiences.
Supports congressional oversight of detained populations, especially vulnerable groups like pregnant individuals.
Denounces policies treating immigrants as unworthy of health care or rights based on status.
Condemns immigration detention, coerced/denied reproductive care (e.g., sterilization, abortion, contraception), and restrictions on health coverage.
Calls for eliminating the 5-year waiting period and exclusions for immigrants' access to federal programs like Medicaid, CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Program), and ACA (Affordable Care Act) coverage.
Urges DHS (Department of Homeland Security), ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement), and CBP (Customs and Border Protection) to permanently protect pregnant individuals, implement oversight for reproductive care in facilities, assess barriers to care, and report internal findings to Congress.
Urges HHS (Department of Health and Human Services) and ORR (Office of Refugee Resettlement) to ensure unaccompanied immigrant youth access needed care, including abortion, regardless of state laws.
Affirms comprehensive reproductive health care rights for all, promoting equitable services for immigrants.

Significant Changes to Existing Law Introduced

As a resolution, H. Res. 909 does not amend or create new laws; it expresses the House's position and makes non-binding recommendations. It does not introduce enforceable changes but criticizes current policies (e.g., lack of standardization in DHS care) and calls for reversals of recent weakenings, such as revoked protections for pregnant detainees.

Potential Impacts

On Government Agencies: Could pressure DHS, ICE, CBP, HHS, and ORR to improve transparency, accountability, and care standards in detention facilities, potentially leading to internal reviews or policy shifts through oversight. It may prompt congressional hearings or reports.
On Citizens and Immigrants: Highlights risks to immigrants' health and rights, potentially encouraging advocacy for better access to care and reducing deterrents to seeking services. It underscores vulnerabilities for pregnant individuals, minors, and families, which might influence public awareness and state-level policies.
On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, but it could signal U.S. commitment to human rights in migration, affecting perceptions of U.S. treatment of detainees and potentially influencing diplomatic discussions on migration and health equity.

Main Stakeholders Affected

Immigrants and Detained Individuals: Especially pregnant people, minors, unaccompanied youth, and families facing detention, deportation risks, or health care denials.
Government Agencies and Officials: DHS, ICE, CBP, HHS, ORR, and congressional committees (Judiciary, Energy and Commerce, Homeland Security) responsible for oversight and implementation.
Advocacy and Health Communities: Groups focused on reproductive rights, immigrant rights, and human rights organizations, as well as health care providers serving immigrant populations.
Broader Society: U.S. citizens and residents affected by policies on health coverage exclusions and family separations.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal: Emphasizes human rights to health care and bodily autonomy under international standards (e.g., humane treatment in detention), potentially supporting future lawsuits against inadequate care or discriminatory policies. It critiques violations like medical neglect, which could align with existing laws on detainee rights (e.g., under the Constitution's Eighth Amendment prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment).
Constitutional: Reinforces principles of equal protection and due process (Fourteenth Amendment) by denouncing status-based discrimination, though as a resolution, it has no direct legal force.
Political: Serves as a partisan statement (introduced by Democratic members) to build support for progressive policies on immigration and reproductive rights, especially post-Roe v. Wade. It may fuel debates on federal vs. state authority over abortion access and immigration enforcement, influencing midterm or future legislative agendas without binding outcomes.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Ramirez, Delia C. [D-IL-3]

Cosponsors (33)

Rep. Pressley, Ayanna [D-MA-7], Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2], Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9], Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4], Rep. Velázquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2], Rep. Kelly, Robin L. [D-IL-2], Rep. Jacobs, Sara [D-CA-51], Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9], Rep. Espaillat, Adriano [D-NY-13], Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24], Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8], Rep. Randall, Emily [D-WA-6], Rep. Lee, Summer L. [D-PA-12], Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4], Rep. Garcia, Sylvia R. [D-TX-29], Rep. Rivas, Luz M. [D-CA-29], Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15], Rep. Balint, Becca [D-VT-At Large], Rep. Cisneros, Gilbert Ray [D-CA-31], Rep. Adams, Alma S. [D-NC-12], Rep. Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [D-FL-25], Rep. Stansbury, Melanie A. [D-NM-1], Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7], Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1]

Recent Actions

2025-11-21: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, and Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
2025-11-21: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, and Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
2025-11-21: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, and Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
2025-11-21: Submitted in House
2025-11-21: Submitted in House

Bill Versions

Recognizing that immigrant justice and reproductive justice are inseparable and must be pursued together. — issued 2025-11-21 — PDF (6 pages)