Trump admin moves to block abortion for fourth undocumented minor

The Trump administration has moved to block a fourth undocumented minor from receiving an abortion, according to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). 

The woman, known to the court as Jane Moe, has requested an abortion but has been prevented from getting one by the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), an office within the Department of Health and Human Services. 

A spokesperson said HHS does not believe it is required to facilitate the abortion. 

“The Jane in this case, Jane Moe — who entered the country illegally — has the option to voluntarily depart to her home country or find a suitable sponsor. If she chooses not to exercise these options, HHS does not believe we are required to facilitate Jane Moe’s abortion, out of concern and responsibility for the mother’s best interests.”

{mosads}The ACLU asked the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on Thursday for a temporary restraining order for Moe so she could obtain an abortion. 

According to court documents, Moe is a 17-year-old unaccompanied immigrant minor living in a government-funded shelter. Moe is in her second trimester of pregnancy. 

She first requested an abortion two weeks ago, but her request has been denied. 

This is the fourth time the ORR has tried to block immigrant minors in the care of the U.S. from getting abortions. 

In the previous cases, the minors have been eventually allowed to obtain abortions. 

In March, the administration established a policy of prohibiting all federally funded shelters from taking “any action that facilitates” abortion access for unaccompanied minors without the approval of ORR Director Scott Lloyd. 

The ACLU argues the policy is unconstitutional.