The federal government said that it was not its role to facilitate abortion, and that the teenager still had the option of returning to her home country. Tanya S. Chutkan, the United States District Court judge who initiated the temporary restraining order, said she was “astounded” by the government’s position. The health department has until Oct. 31 to find a suitable sponsor; if it does, Jane Doe would be able to have an abortion. If the appeals process continues into November, the teenager will reach the 20-week mark, which would prevent her from having an elective abortion in Texas. “Women don’t just wake up one morning and decide they’re going to have an abortion,” Dr. Lawrence said.

Source: New York Times October 22, 2017 01:07 UTC