Supreme Court sides with Trump in pregnant immigrant teen case
The Supreme Court is siding with the Trump administration over the American Civil Liberties Union in the case of a pregnant immigrant teen who was able to obtain an abortion after filing a lawsuit.
After months of inaction on the case, the court Monday vacated a lower court decision favoring the teen, who was held in government custody after illegally entering the country. The justices ruled that was the proper course because the case became moot after the teen obtained an abortion.
The Department and Justice and Health and Human Services said in a joint statement that they were "pleased" with he High Court's decision on Monday. "The Supreme Court has repeatedly made clear that the federal government is not obligated to help a minor get an abortion and may choose policies favoring life over abortion. A pregnant minor who is in the country illegally can leave federal custody by returning to her home country, for example, but American taxpayers are not responsible for facilitating her abortion. We look forward to continuing to press the government's interest in the sanctity of life," the statement said.
Government lawyers had complained that ACLU lawyers didn't alert them that the teen's abortion would take place earlier than expected. The administration said that deprived its lawyers of the chance to ask the Supreme Court to block the procedure, at least temporarily.
The ACLU has defended its attorneys.
