A child on the brink of death could be deported to Mexico in the coming days following a decision made by the Trump administration.
As reported by the Los Angeles Times, four-year-old Sofia Vargas and her mother, Deysi, were granted temporary humanitarian parole to enter America back in 2023, after the child was diagnosed with a life-threatening condition.
The pair were citizens of Mexico, having both been born in the Playa del Carmen area of the central American country.
Whilst residing in their home nation, however, Sofia's family was informed that she'd been born with short bowel syndrome. This rare ailment prevents the toddler from being able to absorb nutrients held in food.
Advert
Following her birth one month prematurely, Sofia was attached to feeding tubes, upon which she remained for 24 hours of the day. She also underwent a staggering total of six surgeries due to the intestinal blockage.
The decision to allow the mother-daughter duo temporary residence in the States was initially made on the basis of Sofia receiving urgent medical care. They settled down in Bakersfield, California - around 100 miles north of Los Angeles.
Following the move, the child received the appropriate treatment for her crippling condition. Though Sofia still requires everyday treatment, her health has significantly improved as a result of the American medication.
Back in April, however, Donald Trump's right-leaning team team is said to have revoked permission for the Vargas family to remain in the United States to receive said treatment. The decision was made on 11 April, suggesting Sofia and Deysi could be deported back to Mexico in the future.
Lawyers for the Vargas family claim the youngster remains critically ill, and could die 'within days' if her ongoing treatment is paused.
Rebecca Brown - the family's legal representative told press this week: "This is a textbook example of medical need.
"This child will die and there’s no sense for that to happen. It would just be a cruel sacrifice."
The threat to Sofia's life was also confirmed by local medic Dr. John Arsenault, who works at the city's Children’s Hospital, where the child receives her treatment - known as called Total Parenteral Nutrition - every six weeks.
He penned in a letter also obtained by the Los Angeles Times that failure to assist with the toddler's nutrition 'could be fatal'.
Other patients who receive a similar form of treatment are also 'not allowed to leave the country', Arsenault added.
The medic wrote in his letter: "The infrastructure to provide TPN or provide immediate intervention if there is a problem with IV access depends on our program’s utilisation of US-based healthcare resources and does not transfer across borders."
In a news conference on Wednesday, Deysi Vargas also stressed the critical nature of her daughter's conditon.
NBC report that the heartbroken mother explained: "If they deport us and take away my daughter's access to her specialised care, she will die."
She went on to say: "Now, with the help my daughter receives in the United States, my daughter has the opportunity to leave the hospital, see the world, and live like a child her age."
The pair were first permitted entry to the States after signing up to former Democratic leader Joe Biden's CBP One app, which enabled Deysi to book an appointment between her daughter and border agents.
Following Trump's re-entry into the White House in January, however, the same app is now being used to notify immigrants of the risk that they could be deported.
The Vargas family received an email last month from the Department of Homeland Security, informing them that both their parole and work authorisation had been revoked.
"If you do not depart the United States immediately you will be subject to potential law enforcement actions that will result in your removal from the United States — unless you have otherwise obtained a lawful basis to remain here," the notice said, as per NBC.
Topics: Donald Trump, Politics, World News, News
Rhianna Benson