4-year-old girl with life-threatening illness and her mom granted humanitarian parole for one year

A young girl with a severe medical condition and her mother have been granted permission to stay in the U.S. following a public appeal for deportation relief. The mother, Deysi Vargas, was informed on Tuesday morning that their humanitarian parole had been approved for a year, according to the family’s legal representatives. Earlier in April, the family had received a sudden notice from the Department of Homeland Security terminating their parole and work authorization.

The notice warned of potential law enforcement actions for not leaving the U.S. immediately, stating removal unless a lawful basis for staying was obtained. At a recent press conference, the family and their attorneys discussed the implications of the revocation on the 4-year-old girl’s health. Vargas expressed in Spanish that her daughter’s specialized care was crucial for her survival if they were deported.

The young girl, identified as S.G.V., suffers from short bowel syndrome, impacting her small intestine’s ability to absorb nutrients. She needs daily treatment for proper nutrition, including a portable backpack when away from home. The family’s legal team noted that the equipment required for S.G.V.’s care cannot be taken outside the U.S., with limited facilities abroad offering the necessary treatment.

Both S.G.V. and her mother were born in Mexico and arrived with the girl’s father in July 2023 through the CBP One app, leading to the family being granted humanitarian parole. While their parole was initially due to expire at the end of July, Vargas was working on an extension. A senior DHS official clarified after the recent press conference that the family was not actively facing deportation, and their pending application with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services was still under review.