Court wrestles with immigrant teen's access to abortion

WASHINGTON — A federal appeals court in Washington is wrestling with whether the government should be required to allow a pregnant 17-year-old being held in a Texas facility for unaccompanied immigrant children obtain an abortion.

A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia heard arguments in the case Friday morning. The court didn't say when it would rule.

A federal trial court judge had ruled for the teen, but the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has appealed.

The teen, whose name has been withheld, has already received a state court order permitting her to have the abortion. Federal officials have refused to transport her or temporarily release her so that others may take her to have the procedure.

Read Saturday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.

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