While there aren’t many pregnant women currently detained in the UK each year (nine in 2022, 20 in 2020, 23 in 2019, and 45 in 2018, according to immigration statistics), the tabled clauses will offer this small group of vulnerable women and babies vital protections they didn’t have prior to 2016.

Begum is hopeful her clause, along with Johnson’s, will pass given the support from other MPs. “The plight of migrant pregnant women and girls have been raised by a number of MPs from different parties at all stages in the Commons thus far,” the Labour MP told The Lead. “The British Medical Association, the Royal College of Midwives and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists have all raised concerns about healthcare in immigration being often of a very poor standard.

“Given that the whole immigration system is plagued by mismanagement, profiteering of private companies and incidents of systemic and direct abuse and neglect, it concerns me that asylum-seeking women who have already suffered to reach safety, should be placed at even further risk to their health.”

Ideally, Arnold – and countless charities, organisations, and individuals working with asylum seekers and refugees – want to see the whole Illegal Migration Bill scrapped.

“[The bill] is extremely cruel and effectively destroys the right to claim asylum and will have life or death consequences for people seeking safety in the UK,” Arnold concludes. “It’s incredibly cruel and harmful, but also completely unworkable. We call for the entire Illegal Migration Bill, and other harmful legislation such as last year’s Nationality and Borders Act, to be scrapped and for a compassionate and supportive asylum process where people seeking safety are treated with fairness and dignity.”

Women for Refugee Women have drafted a letter you can send to your MP, asking them to stand up and speak out for pregnant women seeking safety in the UK. You can sign and send it here.

“The government is refusing to protect pregnant asylum seekers – here’s how to take a stand”