by A 4-year-old girl receiving “lifesaving medical treatment” in the U.S. has been granted humanitarian parole for one year, allowing her and her mother to stay in the country, her attorneys announced Tuesday.
The child, identified only as “Sofia” by her lawyers, and her mother, Deysi Vargas, have been living in the U.S. since 2023. However, in April, they received three letters from the Department of Homeland Security informing them that their humanitarian parole was being terminated.
Sofia suffers from short bowel syndrome, a serious condition that prevents her from absorbing nutrients and fluids properly. Her life depends on specialized medical care that can only be provided in the United States.
On Tuesday, Vargas received official notice from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that she and Sofia were granted humanitarian parole for one year, valid until June 1, 2026. This legal breakthrough came after Vargas took Sofia to a biometrics appointment at a USCIS office in Bakersfield, California, on May 30.
“We are profoundly grateful that USCIS acted swiftly to grant Sofia and her mother one year of humanitarian parole,” said Sofia’s lawyers from Public Counsel. “By moving quickly, the agency 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.”
Sofia began treatment at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles after crossing the border from Mexico in 2023 under humanitarian parole. Her care includes specialized IV treatments that can last up to 14 hours a day—treatments that, according to the equipment manufacturer, must be administered in the U.S.
Vargas explained that the treatment has allowed Sofia to live a more normal life with her family. But if they are forced to return to Mexico, Sofia “will be at the hospital day and night,” she said during a May press conference.
While celebrating the victory, Sofia’s attorneys pointed out the systemic issues that almost put her life at risk. “Her parole was terminated without warning, and for weeks there was no functional way to alert USCIS that a child’s life was in danger,” they said. “It took an international outcry and pressure from elected officials to get a response — something that used to take a single phone call.”
They added, “Our immigration system must protect everyone facing life-threatening harm. We cannot turn our backs on immigrant neighbors seeking safety, justice, and a fair chance at life.”
