Los Angeles, California — There is a very real threat of deportation against a four-year-old girl fighting for her life at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. Her family badly wants to stay in the U.S. so she can continue life-saving medical treatment.
Sofia Vargas has short bowel syndrome, a rare and life-threatening disease that means she needs intravenous nutrition for 14 hours every day just to stay alive. Sofia’s condition makes it hard for her body to absorb enough nutrients from food. The family was told by doctors in Mexico that Sofia would need specialized care in the United States to have any chance of life.
Sofia’s family was given an emergency visa in 2023, which let them go to Los Angeles to get her care. However, their stay in the U.S. is now uncertain. The family got a disturbing letter not long ago telling them that their legal situation had changed. The letter didn’t say why their status was taken away, so the family was left in a terrible state of confusion.
A lawyer helping the family for free named Gina Amato said, “They were not given any reason as to why.” “There’s no evidence that they broke any rules.” If they have to leave the hospital, Sofia will no longer be treated, and she will only have days to live.
Sofia’s doctors have made it clear that stopping her care would be very bad. Amato said, “The doctors have made it clear that if this child’s treatment is stopped, she will die within a few days.” The news has made Sofia’s mother, Deysi Vargas, feel like she’s in a bad dream that she can’t sleep through.
Deysi spoke in Spanish, “If we go back to Mexico, Sofia will be back in a hospital where the treatment won’t be as good.” Her voice was full of fear and worry. “She could lose her life.”
The sudden change in the family’s situation has shocked their lawyers, who are now working hard to appeal the ruling. It’s their hope that this is just a mistake. Amato said, “We’ve seen these kinds of letters sent all over the country without any thought.” “But it’s hard to understand why it would be sent to a family whose four-year-old daughter is fighting for her life.”
The family’s lawyers think it’s likely that the letter was sent by mistake. In April, one of the lawyers got a letter that was similar, but it turned out to be a mistake. The family still hopes this will happen, but they are getting ready for the worst. “They need to stay in the US.” “We can’t waste any time,” Amato said.
Sofia’s story shows how complicated it can be when immigration law and life-saving medical care come together. Advocates are urging U.S. officials to act right away and let the family stay so the child can continue getting the care she needs so badly.
Right now, Sofia’s family’s only concern is that she stays alive. Things are at stake more than ever. “We hope and pray that we can stay,” Deysi said, trying to keep her cool for her daughter. “I need to protect my child.”
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles has not said anything about the situation. However, the family’s lawyers will hold a press meeting on Wednesday at 10 a.m. to talk about what they should do next.
At the moment, Sofia’s family is torn between two terrible realities: they could lose their daughter if they have to go back to Mexico, and they don’t know what will happen with them in the United States.
