4-year-old girl facing deportation allowed to stay in US to continue life-saving medical care

Sick 4-year-old girl can stay for medical care

The family of 4-year-old Sofia was granted humanitarian parole for a year while she continues to receive life-saving medical care in the US.

LOS ANGELES - A 4-year-old girl receiving life-saving medical care in the US, whose family was told to self-deport to Mexico, was granted a reprieve from possible deportation Tuesday.

The family received a letter from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services advising them that they had been granted humanitarian parole "for a period of one year." Their parole will expire June 1, 2026. 

Attorneys with Public Counsel, who are representing the family, released a statement saying, "We are profoundly grateful that USCIS acted swiftly to grant Sofia and her mother one year of humanitarian parole. By moving quickly, the agency has ensured that a four‑year‑old girl can continue receiving her life-saving medical treatment. We commend USCIS for its responsiveness and for recognizing the urgency of this situation. While we celebrate this victory, we cannot ignore the systemic challenges that brought Sofia to the brink. Her parole was terminated without warning, and for weeks there was no functional avenue to alert USCIS that a child’s life was in danger. It took an international outcry and pressure from elected officials to get a response—something that used to take a single phone call. Sofia’s story is one of many, but life‑or‑death decisions like hers aren’t always visible. Many families who seek refuge in the United States are fleeing threats you can’t see and, while their wounds may be invisible, the danger they face is every bit as real. Our immigration system must protect everyone facing life‑threatening harm. We cannot let this country turn its back on our immigrant neighbors seeking safety, justice, and a fair chance at life. We urge USCIS to build on this momentum—reopening accessible lines of communication, preventing wrongful terminations before they spiral into crises, and ensuring that every family facing imminent harm receives the prompt consideration Sofia received—because saving Sofia was never just about one child; it’s about what kind of nation we choose to be."

Journey to US for medical aid 

The backstory:

The 4-year-old girl, only identified as 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. 

During a press conference in May, Sofia's mother said she wasn't getting healthier in Mexico, and decided to seek treatment in the US. 

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.

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. 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 were no longer in lawful status and vulnerable to deportation. The notice also urged them to self-deport immediately.  

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If deported, Sofia would stop receiving specialized care. Her doctors at Children’s Hospital LA say without proper treatment Sofia would die within days. 

Calling for action 

Dig deeper:

News of Sofia's condition quickly spread and lawmakers in California and several other states sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem urging her to reconsider the termination of their legal status.

Attorneys for Sofia's family said the threat of them being deported is a symbol of the administration’s reckless deportation policy.

"This treatment can not be administered outside the United States so it is imperative that she remains here," Gina Amato Lough, Directing Attorney at Public Counsel said during a May 28 press conference. 

"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.