A 4-year-old girl from Mexico, who was at risk of dying without the specialized medical treatment she receives in Los Angeles while living in Bakersfield, has been officially granted permission to remain in the U.S. for another year.
Sofia has an illness called short bowel syndrome, which means her body can’t absorb enough food or water. She needs daily care from doctors at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, including special nutrition given through a tube that connects directly to her blood. This kind of treatment is not available in Mexico.
Sofia, 4, wearing her medical backpack that delivers life-saving nutrition through an IV, allowing her to enjoy simple childhood moments while receiving treatment in Los Angeles. (Photo credit: Jeremy Cohen)
Sofia and her parents came to the U.S. in July 2023 through a program called humanitarian parole. It allowed them to stay legally in the U.S. so Sofia could get the care she needed. Since then, she has been living in Bakersfield, going to doctor visits, and finally doing normal things like visiting the grocery store something she couldn’t do during years in the hospital.
But in April 2025, immigration officials told the family their permission to stay was canceled. They were ordered to leave the country right away.
Sofia with her mother, Deysi Vargas. 4-year-old Sofia from Bakersfield with a life-threatening condition has been granted one year of humanitarian parole after facing deportation. Her doctors warned she could die without the specialized care she receives in Los Angeles. (Photo credit: Jeremy Cohen)
Sofia’s mom, Deysi Vargas, also lost her work permit, putting the family at risk of losing their home and making it harder to keep Sofia’s medical supplies safe and clean.
Sofia’s doctors warned that she would die within days if her treatment was stopped. Her lawyers from Public Counsel quickly filed emergency papers asking immigration officials to let the family stay.
After national attention and public pressure, immigration officials invited Sofia and her mom to a fingerprinting appointment in Bakersfield.
Then, on June 3 Vargas received formal notice from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) confirmed that she and her daughter had been granted one year of humanitarian parole, allowing them to legally stay in the country through June 1, 2026.
The letter from USCIS, dated June 2, said:
“This is to advise you that effective June 2, 2025, you have been granted Humanitarian Parole for a period of one year. The parole will expire on June 1, 2026. Humanitarian Parole is an exercise of prosecutorial discretion by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) not to pursue the removal of an individual from the United States.”
The letter also explained that the status does not change the family’s immigration standing but does allow Vargas to apply for a work permit if she can show financial need.
Attorneys for the family, Gina Amato Lough and Rebecca Brown of Public Counsel, issued a joint statement:
“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.
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.
Our immigration system must protect everyone facing life‑threatening harm. 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.”
Sofia’s legal team said a statement from Sofia’s family is expected soon.
As of June 3, Sofia’s family has raised $41,816 on GoFundMe to help pay for her medical care and basic needs.
