4-year-old Mexican girl with rare illness granted humanitarian parole after deportation threat

A four-year-old Mexican girl with short bowel syndrome, a dangerous condition that makes it hard for her body to absorb nutrients, has been given permission to stay in the United States for medical treatment she cannot get in Mexico. This decision came after a time of great worry and public attention when the family was suddenly told they had to leave the country.

The girl, referred to only by her initials S.G.V., and her mother, Deysi Vargas, came to the United States in July 2023 using the CBP One app. They were allowed to stay temporarily under humanitarian parole, which allowed them to live in the U.S. legally for a limited time. S.G.V. needs daily nutrients delivered through an IV, carried in a special backpack, to stay alive. This treatment is not available in Mexico, where her poor health had kept her mostly in a hospital before coming to the U.S. per AP News.

In April 2025, the family got a notice from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) saying their parole and work permission were canceled. The notice ordered them to leave the U.S. right away and warned that they could face legal trouble if they did not, according to NBC. This sudden decision put the girl’s life at risk because she relies on medical care that only exists in the United States. The family’s lawyers at Public Counsel quickly spoke out, saying deportation could be deadly for the child.

Mexican child allowed to stay in US for health reasons

The cancellation of the family’s parole happened around the same time as a change in political leadership. The new administration had been working to undo policies from the past administration that allowed some migrants to stay in the U.S. temporarily. This policy shift made it much harder for the family to remain legally.

After getting the DHS notice, the family held a press conference to explain how deportation would threaten the child’s life. The case gained a lot of public attention, leading to protests and pressure on officials. At first, DHS said the family was not being actively deported and that an earlier application was still being reviewed, but the girl’s urgent medical needs remained the biggest concern.

The family’s lawyers said the parole was taken away without any warning, unlike in the past when such issues could be fixed with simpler steps. They pointed out flaws in the immigration system, saying it took a huge public and political effort to reverse the deportation order, unless a judge stepped in. The case shows how important it is for the federal immigration system to communicate better and be more transparent.

After weeks of fear and uncertainty, DHS gave S.G.V. and her mother a one-year extension of humanitarian parole on June 3, 2025. This lets the girl keep getting her lifesaving treatment at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, where she has gotten much healthier since arriving in the U.S.

Before, she was stuck in a Mexican hospital, but now she can do normal things like other kids. While she may not need this intense medical care forever, she still depends on it to survive right now. Even though the immediate danger is over, the family’s long-term future in the U.S. is still unclear after the one-year parole ends.