Back arrow

Go back

Abortion care and immigration status: Do you have to be documented?

In states where abortion is legal, immigration status doesn’t change your right to care. Here’s what you need to know about ID, privacy, and telehealth.

If you are undocumented and need an abortion in the U.S., you might feel scared or unsure. Please know this: Your immigration status does not change your right to health care. Here are the key facts you need to know:

  • You don’t need citizenship, visa, or green card to get an abortion in states where it’s legal.
  • Clinics can’t deny care because of immigration status.
  • Abortion care is private medical care (HIPAA privacy laws applies to covered providers).
  • You may be asked for an ID to confirm identity and age (not immigration status).
  • Telehealth providers that offer abortion pills by mail, like Hey Jane, can reduce travel risk—though you must be physically in an eligible state for your visit.
  • Hey Jane does not require a social security number (SSN) or proof of citizenship.

At Hey Jane, we provide safe, private abortion care to everyone, regardless of their immigration status. We offer virtual intake and consultations with licensed providers from the comfort and convenience of home, and if prescribed, ship FDA-approved abortion pills to your door quickly and discreetly in unmarked packaging. Here is what you need to know about your rights and your safety.

Can undocumented people get an abortion?

Yes. In states where abortion is legal, anyone can get care.

  • The law: Medical clinics cannot turn you away because of your immigration status.
  • Your future: Having an abortion does not affect your ability to apply for a green card or citizenship in the future.
  • Privacy: Your medical records are private. Medical record confidentiality laws do not make exceptions for sharing with immigration officials. In 22 states, a court injunction prevents Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) from sharing Medicaid information with ICE. However, outside of these states, a new Trump policy may result in CMS sharing Medicaid information with ICE. 

What the law says

Access to abortion care heavily depends on where you live—not your citizenship. The National Immigration Law Center says that if you’re in a state where abortion is legal, you can get care whether you’re documented or not. Medical clinics and health care providers are not permitted to deny care based on immigration status, and having an abortion does not affect your current or future immigration applications.

In summary, your reproductive health care decisions will remain private and separate from immigration processes. 

Do I need to be a U.S. citizen to get abortion care?

No. In states where abortion is legal, you don’t need to be a citizen of the U.S. to get care. You also don’t need to be a resident of that particular state. There is no federal law that requires you to show proof of citizenship or residency to receive abortion care.

Safety and ICE: What you should know

We know that traveling can be risky right now, especially with more ICE activity in cities like Los Angeles and Minneapolis.

In 22 states, a court injunction prevents CMS from sharing Medicaid information with ICE. However, outside of these states, a new Trump policy may result in CMS sharing Medicaid information with ICE. 

Safety tip: If you are worried about traveling through checkpoints or public hubs, virtual (care you can access through a phone) may be a safer option for you. If you must travel, try to use a private vehicle and avoid routes with known checkpoints.

Do I need an ID for abortion care?

You do not need a U.S. ID, but providers do need to know who they are treating. IDs are used to confirm your name and age so your medical team can safely provide care. 

What Hey Jane accepts: We accept any government-issued ID that has your name, date of birth, and photo—like a state license or passport. If you don't have one ID that has all three requirements, we can work with you to verify your identity using a mix of documents.

This includes foreign passports, consular IDs, or other photo IDs from your home country.

What we require What we NEVER require
A government-issued photo ID with your name and date of birth (any country) A Social Security Number
To be in a state we serve* during your visit and treatment Proof of citizenship or residency
A mailing address in a state we serve* (can be a friend or FedEx pickup location) A permanent home address

*States we serve: CA, CO, CT, DE, DC, HI, IL, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OR, RI, VT, VA, and WA. Residency is not required.

Get safe abortion care from the privacy of your home
Plain white mailing envelope held over a blue backgroundPlain white mailing envelope held over a blue background

How Hey Jane protects your privacy

Your medical records are protected by HIPAA. This is a U.S. law that keeps your health info secure. It does not provide exceptions for immigration officials. Every part of Hey Jane’s process—from your intake form to your package—is designed with your privacy in mind.

Choosing Hey Jane also means you have:

  • Discreet shipping: Your package will arrive in a plain, white envelope. It will not say "abortion" or "Hey Jane" on the outside.
  • Secure chat: You talk to your care team through a private and secure patient portal.
  • Translation services: We offer free translation services to help you through every step of the process in your preferred language.

What you’ll need to get abortion care 

To receive abortion pills through Hey Jane, you’ll need to:

  1. Complete a medical intake form, available 24/7 through our website.
  2. Upload a valid photo ID showing your name and date of birth.
  3. Physically be in an eligible Hey Jane state at the time of your virtual consultation and treatment.
  4. Attend your secure virtual consultation over secure chat, phone, or video call. 
  5. Receive FDA-approved abortion pills discreetly by mail in 2-3 business days.

Frequently asked questions

Will this hurt my immigration case? 

No. Getting medical care is not a "public charge" and won’t hurt your status.

Will getting an abortion affect my immigration status or green-card application?

No. Abortion care is private and doesn’t impact immigration or citizenship processes.

What if I live in a state where abortion is banned? 

You must be physically located in a state where Hey Jane operates during your consultation, to receive the pills, and to complete treatment. Many people travel to a nearby state that we serve and stay in a hotel, short term rental, or with a trusted friend or family member. To learn more about traveling for abortion care, including financial assistance options, read our guide.

How much does Hey Jane cost?

Our goal is to make care affordable with or without insurance. If you don't have insurance, we offer a sliding scale based on what you can afford. We also partner with abortion funds that provide financial help regardless of your immigration status.

Our flexible ways to pay include:

  • As low as $0 with insurance
  • Credit or debit card
  • Apple Pay or Google Pay
  • Buy now, pay later plans
  • FSA or HSA funds
  • Financial assistance from our abortion fund partners

Does Hey Jane offer translation services?

Yes! Upon request, we can provide translation services free of charge to help you complete intake, complete your consultation with a provider, and for follow-up care.

Can I get abortion pills by mail if I’m not a U.S. citizen?

Yes. In states where abortion is legal, you do not need to be a U.S. citizen to get abortion care, including abortion pills through telehealth and mail delivery. What matters most is where you are physically located at the time of care, since telehealth abortion laws vary by state. Providers may ask for a photo ID to confirm your identity and age, but they do not require proof of citizenship or immigration status.

Can I get an abortion procedure if I’m not a U.S. citizen?

Yes. You can get an in-clinic abortion procedure in states where abortion is legal regardless of citizenship status. Clinics and providers generally do not require proof of citizenship to provide medical care. You may be asked for identifying information or an ID for medical and administrative reasons, but your immigration status does not determine whether you’re allowed to receive abortion care. 

Abortion pills prescribed online and judgment-free, expert support available 24/7
Woman sitting in a chair texting with a doctor about her abortionWoman sitting in a chair texting with a doctor about her abortion

Written by

Taneia Surles, MPH

Taneia Surles, MPH, is a freelance writer, editor, and public health professional specializing in sexual health and wellness. She has bylines in Health, Healthline, mindbodygreen, and Well + Good.

Written by

Team Hey Jane

Published on:
February 3, 2026
Last updated:
February 3, 2026

Want to take action?
Join the Un-Whisper Network

Thanks for joining!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
*By signing up, you agree to receive relevant emails in accordance with our Terms of Service & Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Get care with Hey Jane
Safe, private abortion care without having to leave home
Ready for Roevember logo
Get your free action toolkit

We’ll send our digital toolkit to your inbox—including social media graphics, rally signs, postcards, and more.

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
X icon