SoCal girl who faced loss of lifesaving care can stay in U.S.
California Girl Granted Humanitarian Protection Amid Deportation Threat
A 4-year-old girl from Bakersfield, identified as S.G.V., has been granted humanitarian parole, preventing her deportation and ensuring continued access to vital medical treatment in the U.S. The decision by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) came after widespread attention to her case.
S.G.V. suffers from short bowel syndrome, a rare condition hindering nutrient absorption. Doctors at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles warned that interrupting her treatment could be fatal. The family, originally from Mexico, entered the U.S. legally through Tijuana in 2023 wiht temporary permission.
The Trump governance had revoked the family’s protected status, making them subject to deportation. This sparked public outrage and prompted intervention from numerous lawmakers.
Rebecca Brown, an attorney with the nonprofit Public Counsel, praised the agency’s swift action. “By moving quickly, the agency has ensured that a four‑year‑old girl can continue receiving the specialized medical treatment that keeps her alive,” Brown said. She also cautioned that many other families remain at risk due to policies limiting humanitarian parole.
Following significant news coverage, USCIS contacted the family’s lawyers on May 28 to discuss the humanitarian parole request. S.G.V. and her mother, Deysi Vargas, attended a biometrics appointment in Bakersfield on Friday.
Last week, 38 congressional Democrats, including Sens. Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff, urged the Department of Homeland security to reinstate the family’s protections. In a May 29 letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, the lawmakers stated that without intervention, “S.G.V. will die.”
carmen Paniagua, acting field office director for USCIS, informed the family in a letter dated Monday that humanitarian parole was granted, effective June 2, 2025, for one year.
Earlier, in April, Vargas received notice that their humanitarian protections and work authorization were terminated, with instructions to leave the country voluntarily.
An online fundraiser for S.G.V.’s medical care has raised over $40,000.
Rep. Luz Rivas, D-North Hollywood, who spearheaded the congressional letter, expressed relief but criticized the situation. “This situation is a prime example of the Trump administration being unfit, unprepared and unqualified to handle immigration policy decisions with empathy and compassion,” Rivas said.
What’s next
While S.G.V. and her family have been granted a temporary reprieve, their long-term status remains uncertain. Advocates are pushing for broader reforms to ensure similar cases receive prompt and compassionate consideration.