Democrats Call on DHS to Permit 4-Year-Old's Stay for Crucial Medical Care

Deysi Vargas’s 4-year-old daughter relies on a specialized intravenous feeding system—a device that continuously provides nutrients via an IV line attached to her small frame during the nighttime hours. Additionally, four times daily, Deysi uses another mobile feeding setup to administer more nutrients directly into her child’s stomach using a separate tube.

This fragile regimen sustains the young woman, suffering from short bowel syndrome—a disorder where her body fails to extract sufficient nourishment from meals—alive, as stated by Vargas. However, this 28-year-old parent originating from Oaxaca, Mexico, currently dreads that it might conclude abruptly at any time.

A month ago, the Department of Homeland Security rescinded the family’s humanitarian parole status with a notice stating, "It is now necessary for your family to depart from the U.S." Her legal representatives and physician have cautioned that without ongoing care at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, this young girl faces an extremely high risk of death within just a few days.

The choice, initially reported by the Los Angeles Times This situation has sparked nationwide anger and immediate calls from legislators. On Thursday, 38 Democrats in Congress—such as Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff from California, along with notable progressives Representatives Luz Rivas, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Pramila Jayapal, and Ted Lieu— sent a letter To Homeland Security Secretary Kristi L. Noem asking her to revoke the decision.

"It is our responsibility to safeguard the sick, vulnerable, and defenseless," the legislators stated.

In 2023, the family lawfully entered the United States via an appointment arranged using the Biden administration's CBP One application, according to their lawyer, Gina Amato Lough. On July 30, 2023, Vargas, along with her spouse and child, received humanitarian parole allowing them to reside in the country temporarily due to pressing humanitarian concerns; this status was valid for two years, as stated by Ms. Lough.

On his first day as president, Donald Trump signed an executive order on January 20th to restrict eligibility for parole , a designation enabling migrants to reside in the United States for specified durations. The Biden administration has increased its utilization to assist in restricting unauthorized border entries In contrast, Trump stated that parole ought to be "used solely on a case-by-case basis... and under every circumstance only when an individual alien shows pressing humanitarian concerns or considerable benefits to the public stemming from their specific ongoing presence."

In their correspondence, the legislators argued that the family fulfilled the more stringent requirements.

"We think this family's circumstances plainly qualify for humanitarian assistance, and we encourage both you and this administration to review their choice," they penned.

One of the Democrats who endorsed the letter, Representative Greg Casar from Texas, was among those as well. posted on X about the situation: “Trump wants to deport a four-year-old who could die from a life-threatening medical condition if her treatment is interrupted. How does this cruelty make us a stronger nation?”

It remains uncertain whether DHS intends to address the lawmakers' letter. According to a statement provided to The Washington Post by a high-ranking DHS official, "Reports suggesting that Vargas and her family are currently facing deportation are entirely untrue. The family submitted an application for humanitarian parole through USCIS on May 14, 2025, and this request is presently under review."

Even though the family hasn’t faced active deportation efforts — indicating they haven’t gotten a definitive removal order or been involved in legal processes — they were informed via three letters that their humanitarian parole, initially set until July 2025, was canceled, according to Amato Lough.

She pointed out that the sole reason they submitted a fresh application for humanitarian parole on May 14 was due to the premature termination of their previous status. This submission occurred merely a day following Vargas receiving notification that her work authorization had likewise been revoked.

Amato Lough also mentioned that on Wednesday, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services reached out to the family for the initial time to start setting up biometric appointment dates.