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"No one should be shamed for making the right decision for themselves. I would not tell any other girl in my situation what they should do," said Jane Doe. (Photo: Getty )
Jane Doe Releases a Statement Post-Abortion: 'People I Don't Even Know Are Trying to Make Me Change My Mind'
"This is my life, my decision. I want a better future. I want justice."
Oct 26, 2017
After a long legal battle, Jane Doe, the unidentified, undocumented 17-year-old girl who sued the Trump administration for blocking her request to obtain an abortion, has successfully terminated her pregnancy.
The ACLU, which fought the Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Justice to protect Doe's constitutional rights, announced the news via Twitter this morning:
"While the government provides for most of my needs at the shelter, they have not allowed me to leave to get an abortion," Doe wrote in a statement released via her guardian. "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."
"No one should be shamed for making the right decision for themselves. I would not tell any other girl in my situation what they should do," she wrote. "That decision is hers and hers alone."
Last week, a federal judge ordered the Trump administration to allow Doe to obtain an abortion. Doe was 15 weeks pregnant and, according to Texas (where she entered the United States) state law, abortions after 20 weeks are prohibited. The DOJ filed an appeal, and on Friday a three-panel member of the appeals court delayed Doe's abortion until Oct. 31. However, the ACLU filed an appeal with the full court, which on Tuesday ruled that the government must grant Doe an abortion "without delay."
Read the full statement from Doe below:
Statement from Jane Doe, via her guardian
My name is not Jane Doe, but I am a Jane Doe.
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.
When I was detained, I was placed in a shelter for children. 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.
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.
No one should be shamed for making the right decision for themselves. 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.
We are at a crossroads
This country and this world are at a monumental crossroads. US voters have an opportunity to beat back the forces of fascism and confront the billionaires who are rigging the economy, our media system, and our democracy, making it increasingly impossible for ordinary people to get by. We’re not just talking about the election. We’re talking about what must be done once these fascist elements are vanquished from power. We need a bolder set of solutions than what either major party has so far been willing to offer and a working-class movement ready to fight like hell for it. Trump didn't emerge from nowhere. The conditions that fueled MAGA authoritarianism were created by decades of radical neoliberal economic policies and a corrupt political system dominated by corporate interests. They slashed taxes on the super-rich, promising that the benefits would trickle down. They said giveaways to the corporate titans would make life more affordable for the rest of us. It was all bullshit. And when a bitter, betrayed populace searches for someone to blame, right-wing demagogues have little trouble finding scapegoats. People know when they're being lied to, but you won't hear any of this from the corporate media. Only independent journalism—powered and funded by people who believe in building a better world—can deliver truly trustworthy daily news. If you share our vision, please contribute whatever you can to sustain our work. |
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After a long legal battle, Jane Doe, the unidentified, undocumented 17-year-old girl who sued the Trump administration for blocking her request to obtain an abortion, has successfully terminated her pregnancy.
The ACLU, which fought the Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Justice to protect Doe's constitutional rights, announced the news via Twitter this morning:
"While the government provides for most of my needs at the shelter, they have not allowed me to leave to get an abortion," Doe wrote in a statement released via her guardian. "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."
"No one should be shamed for making the right decision for themselves. I would not tell any other girl in my situation what they should do," she wrote. "That decision is hers and hers alone."
Last week, a federal judge ordered the Trump administration to allow Doe to obtain an abortion. Doe was 15 weeks pregnant and, according to Texas (where she entered the United States) state law, abortions after 20 weeks are prohibited. The DOJ filed an appeal, and on Friday a three-panel member of the appeals court delayed Doe's abortion until Oct. 31. However, the ACLU filed an appeal with the full court, which on Tuesday ruled that the government must grant Doe an abortion "without delay."
Read the full statement from Doe below:
Statement from Jane Doe, via her guardian
My name is not Jane Doe, but I am a Jane Doe.
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.
When I was detained, I was placed in a shelter for children. 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.
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.
No one should be shamed for making the right decision for themselves. 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.
After a long legal battle, Jane Doe, the unidentified, undocumented 17-year-old girl who sued the Trump administration for blocking her request to obtain an abortion, has successfully terminated her pregnancy.
The ACLU, which fought the Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Justice to protect Doe's constitutional rights, announced the news via Twitter this morning:
"While the government provides for most of my needs at the shelter, they have not allowed me to leave to get an abortion," Doe wrote in a statement released via her guardian. "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."
"No one should be shamed for making the right decision for themselves. I would not tell any other girl in my situation what they should do," she wrote. "That decision is hers and hers alone."
Last week, a federal judge ordered the Trump administration to allow Doe to obtain an abortion. Doe was 15 weeks pregnant and, according to Texas (where she entered the United States) state law, abortions after 20 weeks are prohibited. The DOJ filed an appeal, and on Friday a three-panel member of the appeals court delayed Doe's abortion until Oct. 31. However, the ACLU filed an appeal with the full court, which on Tuesday ruled that the government must grant Doe an abortion "without delay."
Read the full statement from Doe below:
Statement from Jane Doe, via her guardian
My name is not Jane Doe, but I am a Jane Doe.
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.
When I was detained, I was placed in a shelter for children. 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.
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.
No one should be shamed for making the right decision for themselves. 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.
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