In a move that reverses one of the more controversial Trump-era immigration policies, ICE will no longer detain most pregnant, nursing and postpartum women for deportation.

The New York Times reports that “since 2016, ICE has arrested undocumented pregnant immigrants more than 4,000 times.” There are currently fewer than 20 such immigrants in custody, staying for an average of three days, according to The Times.

The new policy is more expansive than the Obama-era enforcement carveout for pregnant women, because it includes mothers who gave birth within the prior year and those who are still nursing.

The Washington Post contextualizes:

The policy adds to the growing list of immigrants exempt from arrest or deportation for violating civil immigration laws. Critics have said that Biden is abandoning his responsibility to enforce U.S. laws, but the president has said he wants a more humane approach to immigration, especially for parents and children arriving in increasing numbers from regions such as Central America.

When migrants are detained by ICE, they are subject to a health screening, which includes a pregnancy test.

“Given the unique needs of this population, we will not detain individuals known to be pregnant, postpartum, or nursing unless release is prohibited by law or exceptional circumstances exist,” an ICE spokesperson said in a statement.

If a pregnant or nursing mother poses a national security risk or is a violent threat, she will not be released, according to the new policy.

In 2018, then Senator Kamala Harris was among a group of Democratic senators who criticized a Trump administrative directive that “ended the presumption of release for all pregnant detainees.” Harris joined human rights groups in expressing concern that expecting mothers were not getting adequate medical attention.

The New York Times provides background on other changes the Biden administration has made to America’s immigration policy:

Mr. Biden has used executive orders to reverse a number of Mr. Trump’s immigration policies, including accepting more requests from asylum seekers, easing travel and visa restrictions and changing the categories of undocumented immigrants that law enforcement should prioritize for enforcement actions. Legislative fixes, however, that could provide a legal path for families seeking asylum to enter the country, appear increasingly out of reach.