Seriously ill girl ordered to leave US and return to Mexico granted year's reprieve after warning she could die within days
4 June 2025, 14:26
A seriously ill girl ordered to leave the US has been afforded a year's reprieve after warning she could die within days if her treatment was stopped.
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Four-year-old Sofia (whose real name has not been released) is receiving treatment at the Children's Hospital Los Angeles.
The little girl relies on a specialist backpack that feeds her nutrients she can't absorb naturally, using cutting-edge treatment only available in the US.
Sofia was born with short bowel syndrome, which is a debilitating life-threatening condition.
The girl and her mother, Deysi, came to the US legally in July 2023.
They were granted humanitarian parole to access medical care for two years.
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Three months after Donald Trump became president, Sofia's family received a letter saying their humanitarian parole was being revoked and they had to return immediately to Mexico.
The family's lawyers said doctors had warned Sofia could die "within days" if her treatment was stopped.
Lawyer Gina Amato Lough slammed the ruling, telling Sky News: "We're sending them to die".
"That's not justice and it doesn't make us any safer. We cannot let our country turn its back on this child."
After the lawyers wrote to officials to change the ruling - Sofia's mother has now received an approval notice for humanitarian parole for another year.
The news brought huge relief for Deysi as she said she grew increasingly anxious over whether they would be deported and Sofia's life put at risk.
The Department of Homeland Security said in a previous statement that reports the family were being deported were untrue.
The statement said: "This family applied for humanitarian parole on May 14, 2025, and the application is still being considered."
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