- Authorities arrested a Texas midwife and her assistant for allegedly performing illegal abortions. Prosecutors also charged the two with practicing medicine without a license.
- Texas prohibits abortion except when it is essential to protect a pregnant person’s life.
- According to reports, it’s the first lawsuit against an abortion provider since the ban took effect in 2022.
Full story
A Texas midwife and her assistant face charges for reportedly performing illegal abortions at a Houston-area clinic.
Media Landscape
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Center 61%
Right 12%
Bias Summary
- A Texas midwife, Maria Margarita Rojas, has been arrested for allegedly providing illegal abortions, according to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
- Rojas is charged with the illegal performance of an abortion and practicing medicine without a license, facing serious felony charges.
- Authorities claim Rojas operated at least three illegal clinics in Houston, violating state law, marking the first criminal charges under Texas’s near-total abortion ban enacted in 2022.
- The Attorney General’s statement emphasizes the commitment to hold those who violate Texas’s pro-life laws accountable.
- A 48-year-old midwife, Maria Margarita Rojas, was arrested for allegedly performing illegal abortions and operating unlicensed clinics in Houston, according to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
- Rojas faces charges for the illegal performance of an abortion and practicing medicine without a license, as reported by the Attorney General’s Office.
- Rojas operated clinics employing unlicensed individuals who posed as medical professionals while performing abortion procedures against Texas law.
- The Attorney General’s Office has filed for a temporary restraining order to close Rojas’ clinics, and civil penalties may exceed $100,000 per violation.
- A Houston-area midwife named Maria Margarita Rojas has been arrested for allegedly performing illegal abortions and practicing medicine without a license, according to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
- Rojas faces charges that include the illegal performance of an abortion, a second-degree felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison, as Paxton announced.
- Attorney General Paxton emphasized the importance of prosecuting unlicensed individuals performing illegal abortions, declaring, “Texas law protecting life is clear, and we will hold those who violate it accountable.”
Bias Comparison
Media outlets on the left
framed the Texas midwife’s arrest as the result of an “extreme” abortion ban, emphasizing the criminalization of abortion and the potential danger to women.
Media outlets on the right
highlighted the “illegal” nature of the abortions and framed the individual as an “abortionist” operating “illegal clinics.”
Bias Distribution
Left
+0
Left
Right
Right
Untracked Bias
163 other sources covering this story
Total News Sources
163
Leaning Left
31
Center
69
Leaning Right
14
Last Updated
23 hours ago
According to The New York Times, they’re the first charges to be brought against an abortion provider under the state’s near total abortion ban.
What accusations are being made against them?
The state charged midwife Maria Margarita Rojas and her employee, Jose Ley, with practicing medicine without a license.
A second degree felony, the abortion charge could land them up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000 each.
However, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has the authority to seek a fine of at least $100,000 “per violation” under the Texas Human Life Protection Act, which passed shortly after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022.
What happened?
According to a news release from Paxton, Rojas identified herself as “Dr. Maria” and operated a network of clinics in the Houston area.
Court records alleged Rojas and Ley attempted an abortion on a person on two separate occasions in March 2025.
In its bail motion, the state said Rojas also performed an abortion earlier in 2025.
Authorities first arrested Rojas on March 6 for practicing medicine without a license. The court released her on a $10,000 bond.
However, police arrested her a second time on March 17, along with Ley, on another charge of practicing medicine without a license as well as performing illegal abortions.
What’s Texas’ law on abortion?
Texas prohibits abortion except when it is essential to protect a pregnant person’s life.
The law does not allow for the person who terminates their pregnancy to be prosecuted, only the abortion providers.
Texas law protecting life is clear, and we will hold those who violate it accountable.”
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton
In his press release, Paxton said, “In Texas, life is sacred. I will always do everything in my power to protect the unborn, defend our state’s pro-life laws and work to ensure that unlicensed individuals endangering the lives of women by performing illegal abortions are fully prosecuted. Texas law protecting life is clear, and we will hold those who violate it accountable.”
