So today we’re going to talk about the Roe v. Wade decision that was overturned on June 24, 2022, in a 5-4 decision. Roe v. Wade is one of the most controversial Supreme Court decisions in history. On January 22, 1973, the Court ruled that a woman has a constitutional right to abortion. This decision overturned a Texas law that criminalized abortion. Many believe that reversing Roe v. Wade will create more barriers for immigrants seeking legal status in the United States. State and federal laws that ban or restrict abortion could lead to thousands of people being deported or denied immigration benefits.
Roe v. Wade guarantees safe and legal abortion across the United States. Still, state and federal laws that criminalize pregnancy outcomes or restrict abortion access jeopardize this right for everyone—including immigrants. When someone applies for a green card or other immigration benefits, they must go through an “admissibility” test. Many people are found inadmissible based on state criminal convictions or arrests, even if the conviction was a misdemeanor, or the crime was non-violent.
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