A law banning abortions after six weeks of pregnancy comes into force in the US state of Texas today, several US media reports.
The law was signed in May but was expected to be lifted by the Supreme Court before the end of the month.
It was never done, which means the law will take effect at midnight, local time.
Abortion clinics are expected to close
The law is the toughest of its kind since 1973, when the Roe vs Wade case led to a general abortion law for American women.
According to local abortion law groups, the law violates the US Constitution.
- Patients will have to travel across state borders in the middle of a pandemic to take part in the healthcare to which they are entitled.
Many will not be able to afford it.
It is heartless, unscrupulous and illegal, says Nancy Northup, who runs the Center for Reproductive Rights to ABC News.
Since between 80 and 95 percent of all abortions in the state occur after the sixth week, many of Texas abortion clinics are expected to close soon.