‘Between Me and God’: Read This Amazing Statement by the 17-Year Old Refugee Trump Tried to Stop From Having an Abortion

Trump’s Refugee Agency Chief Sees Himself as a ‘Foster Father’ for Undocumented Immigrants’ Unborn Children

A 17-year old undocumented immigrant refugee who the Trump administration tried to force into childbirth has issued a statement explaining why she wanted an abortion. “Jane Doe” is working with the ACLU, and after numerous attempts by the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Refugee Resettlement to prevent her from having an abortion, she underwent the procedure Wednesday.

“My name is not Jane Doe but I am a Jane Doe,” her statement begins. “I’m a 17 year old girl that came to this country to make a better life for myself. My journey wasn’t easy, but I came here with hope in my heart to build a life I can be proud of. I dream about studying, becoming a nurse, and one day working with the elderly.”

Doe came to the U.S. in September, telling authorities “she was fleeing violence and abuse in Central America,” the L.A. Times reports. Upon being placed in a detention facility she was given a physical exam and learned she was pregnant. 

The Trump administration made E. Scott Lloyd, an anti-abortion extremist, the head of the Office of Refugee Resettlement. Here’s how The Washington Post described Llyod’s “grotesque” actions:

Under the directorship of E. Scott Lloyd, an antiabortion activist appointed by President Trump to lead the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Refugee Resettlement, ORR began preventing federally funded shelters from “facilitat[ing]” access to abortion services unless Mr. Lloyd approved. Instead, shelters for undocumented minors may support only “pregnancy services and life-affirming options counseling.” Mr. Lloyd has personally reached out to several pregnant teenagers to counsel them against seeking abortions, reportedly viewing himself as a “foster father.”

Back to Jane Doe’s statement.

“When I was detained, I was placed in a shelter for children,” she continues. “It was there that I was told I was pregnant. I knew immediately what was best for me then, as I do now – that I’m not ready to be a parent. Thanks to my lawyers, Rochelle Garza and Christine Cortez, and with the help of Jane’s Due Process, I went before a judge and was given permission to end my pregnancy without my parents’ consent. I was nervous about appearing in court, but I was treated very kindly. I am grateful that the judge agreed with my decision and granted the bypass.”

Let’s revisit that: “I’m not ready to be a parent.” She’s 17. Once the court ruled that should have been the end of the story. But under the Trump administration’s free-wheeling anything goes extremism, it was not.

“While the government provides for most of my needs at the shelter, they have not allowed me to leave to get an abortion. Instead, they made me see a doctor that tried to convince me not to abort and to look at sonograms. People I don’t even know are trying to make me change my mind. I made my decision and that is between me and God. Through all of this, I have never changed my mind.”

Yes. “I made my decision and that is between me and God.” Again, that should have been the end of the story.

“No one should be shamed for making the right decision for themselves,” Doe says. “I would not tell any other girl in my situation what they should do. That decision is hers and hers alone.”

I’ve been waiting for more than a month since I made my decision. It has been very difficult to wait in the shelter for news that the judges in Washington, D.C. have given me permission to proceed with my decision. I am grateful for this, and I ask that the government accept it. Please stop delaying my decision any longer.

My lawyers have told me that people around the country have been calling and writing to show support for me. I am touched by this show of love from people I may never know and from a country I am just beginning to know – to all of you, thank you.

This is my life, my decision. I want a better future. I want justice.

The Trump administration was more than willing – in fact, tried, to run out the clock. Jane Doe was in Texas, where the (possibly unconstitutional) law says no abortions after 20 weeks. They were trying to tie the case up in court to force Jane Doe into a “point of no return” where she would have to give birth.

Every day the Trump administration puts their far right wing extremism on display. 

Thanks to her determination and the ACLU, at least one young woman was able to stand up and say no, and win.

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