In the first case of criminal charges Texas has held against an abortion provider since the overturning of Roe v. Wade, a midwife has been arrested in Houston, Texas, on charges of performing illegal abortions and operating unlicensed clinics.

The Details: Maria Margarita Rojas has been charged with illegal performance of an abortion, a second-degree felony in Texas, and practicing medicine without a license. USA Today (Lean Left bias) clarifies that Rojas has had a midwife license since 2018. 

For Context: According to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, Rojas allegedly operated three clinics in the northwest Houston area which allegedly employed unlicensed individuals who presented themselves as licensed medical professionals. Under the Texas Human Life Protection Act, the state prohibits abortion in almost all cases, with no allowances for early stage pregnancies, rape, or incest. 

How the Media Covered It: Townhall (Right) identified Rojas as an “alleged abortionist,” rather than a midwife, in a headline. It also called the state’s abortion legislation “strong life-affirming laws.” USA Today quoted the midwife who runs a clinic Rojas works at describing her as “a devout Catholic who provided care for primarily Spanish-speaking low-income communities.” It also wrote that Texas has the “most restrictive abortion laws in the United States.” The Hill (Center) reported on the two additional arrests made in connection with Rojas, quoting Paxton’s statement that “individuals killing unborn babies by performing illegal abortions in Texas will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”

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