The policy first began in 2017, when a pregnant teenager in government custody was prevented from obtaining an abortion by then-Judge Brett Kavanaugh, despite the fact that she had already obtained judicial bypass pursuant to state law. Soon after, the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled against the decision, allowing the teenager to access an abortion.

The ACLU brought the case to court on behalf on several pregnant teenagers in federal custody who were seeking abortions, calling the policy a “blatant abuse of power.” As a result of the ruling, those minors, who would otherwise have been forced to carry unwanted pregnancies, were able to obtain their abortions.

“The Trump administration’s cruel policy of blocking young immigrant women in federal custody from accessing abortion was a blatant abuse of power,” said ACLU attorney Brigitte Amiri, who represented the teenagers, in a statement after the ruling.

“We are relieved that today’s ruling continues to prevent the policy from taking effect while the case proceeds, and allows the case to proceed as a class action as we continue this fight.”

Trump’s cruel abortion ban for immigrant teens has finally been overturned