09/18/2026
As a child, Raquel* fled abuse in Guatemala and came to the U.S. seeking asylum. She was scheduled for an asylum interview on September 1st, but her Florence Project legal team immediately requested a reschedule because Raquel was pregnant and was due to give birth just a week before.
Raquel gave birth to her baby early on August 15th, and they both experienced serious medical complications. Her baby had to be hospitalized after birth, and Raquel experienced pain that did not allow her to stand, walk, or even sit for long periods of time. Her medical provider documented that Raquel would need six weeks of recovery, meaning she would not be able to attend her USCIS interview. Again, we followed up with USCIS to request a reschedule, but we did not hear back.
On September 1, Raquel’s lawyer went to the asylum office on her behalf to explain the situation and was shocked to learn that the request to reschedule was denied, and they were saying that Raquel had failed to appear, despite numerous communications about her health situation.
Raquel was forced to choose between protecting the health of her family and caring for her newborn or attending her asylum interview. Her lawyer submitted documentation explaining why Raquel’s postpartum complications qualified as an “exceptional circumstance” warranting a reschedule, but we have not heard back.
No mother should be faced with this difficult decision. No one should be penalized for listening to medical advice and prioritizing their health. This became a barrier to due process, when all the situation required was a routine rescheduling. This is yet another example of the ways this administration mistreats pregnant mothers and families seeking safety.
*Pseudonym
