4-year-old girl in California could lose life-saving medical care if deported, mother says
Sick girl faces life-threatening deportation order
A 4-year-old Bakersfield girl and her family are facing deportation. Moving back to Mexico however would mean the girl's certain death, her doctors say, because of her specialized medical treatment.
LOS ANGELES - The mother of a 4-year-old girl who is receiving life-saving medical care in the US, is speaking out about her fears of her daughter losing medical care if the family gets deported.
What we know:
Sofia suffers from short bowel syndrome, which prevents her from being able to take in and process nutrients on her own. She requires special medical care, such as undergoing IV treatments 14 hours a day in her home.
"My daughter is connected [to tubes] 14 hours every night just to survive. When we lived in Mexico my daughter didn’t get any better. She now, with the help she has received in the United States, my daughter has an opportunity to get out of the hospital, know the world and live like a normal girl," Sofia's mother, Deysi Vargas, said through a translator.
Life-saving treatment needed to survive
"This treatment can not be administered outside the United States so it is imperative that she remains here," said Gina Amato Lough, Directing Attorney at Public Counsel.
Her doctors at Children’s Hospital LA say without proper treatment Sofia would die within days.
"Deporting this family under these conditions is not only unlawful but it constitutes a moral failure that violates the basic tenets of humanity and decency," Lough added.
She said Sofia’s case is a symbol of the administration’s reckless deportation policy.
"To suddenly yank away that welcome mat, take away Sofia’s life-saving care and literally risk her life is a cruel betrayal of our nation’s word."
She also said while Sofia's case is heartbreaking, it's not unique… adding that for many, deportation is a death sentence.
"These are people coming to us for protection, and instead we are sending them to die. That's not justice and it doesn't make us any safer. We can not let our country turn its back on this child, or frankly, on any of our immigrant neighbors who are simply fighting for a better life."
The backstory:
Attorneys for the family say Sofia and her parents arrived at the US-Mexico border in July 2023 seeking humanitarian parole for the purpose of getting medical treatment for their daughter. They arrived in Tijuana and were sent to a hospital in San Diego and then transferred to Children's Hospital Los Angeles. While they currently live in Bakersfield, the family travels to LA for this specialized care.
Family ordered to self-deport
On April 11, the family received a notice that their humanitarian parole would be revoked and their work permits would be canceled. Another notice was sent weeks later and a third was sent in May verifying that they are no longer in lawful status and vulnerable to deportation. The notice also urged them to self-deport immediately.
"Deysi did everything she was asked to do to save her child’s life. She applied to enter the United States to get better treatment for her daughter and waited until that application was granted before coming here. All that Deysi wants is for her child to continue to receive the amazing care that Sofia is getting at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles," stated attorney Rebecca Brown.
Attorneys hope the Trump administration sees the humanitarian need and grants parole.
"Had anyone taken the time to conduct an individualized assignment of my client’s case, we are confident that they would clearly see the humanitarian need. Either the government didn’t conduct an individualized assignment, which is required by law, or they made the cruel decision to send Sofia in harm's way. Meeting humanitarian needs isn’t political, it is the right thing to do. Parole exists to protect the most vulnerable, like Sofia. This is a crisis that can and should be avoided," Brown stated.
Lawmakers urge for action
Senators Alex Padilla, Adam Schiff and nearly three dozen lawmakers from California and other states urged Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to reconsider the termination of their legal status.
They sent Noem a letter saying in part, "Your Department has revoked this child’s legal status in the U.S., which interrupts the urgent, life-saving care she receives at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles every six weeks.
On the President’s first day in office he issued an Executive Order stating that, "ensuring that the parole authority under section 212(d)(5) of the INA (8 U.S.C. 1182(d)(5)) is exercised on only a case-by-case basis in accordance with the plain language of the statute, and in all circumstances only when an individual alien demonstrates urgent humanitarian reasons or a significant public benefit derived from their particular continued presence in the United States arising from such parole."
We believe this family’s situation clearly meets the need for humanitarian aid and urge you and this Administration to reconsider its decision. It is our duty to protect the sick, vulnerable, and defenseless. Without action, S.G.V. will die. We urge a prompt response from your Department and a swift decision to extend this family’s legal status in the U.S."
DHS responds to family's claim
The other side:
A day after the family and their attorneys held a press conference, the Department of Homeland Security issued a statement saying, "Any reporting that Vargas and her family are actively being deported are FALSE. This family applied with USCIS for humanitarian parole on May 14, 2025, and the application is still being considered."