A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to support a four-year-old girl with a life-threatening medical condition who faces the risk of losing access to treatment due to changes in U.S. immigration policy under President Trump.
According to The Los Angeles Times, Deysi Vargas and her family were granted temporary humanitarian entry into the U.S. from Mexico in 2023. However, since taking office as the 47th president, Trump has signed a series of executive orders aimed at deporting undocumented immigrants.
Vargas recently spoke out in anguish after receiving notice that her U.S. employment authorization was being terminated — a move that could force her and her daughter, known publicly as Sofia, to return to Mexico. Sofia requires ongoing medical care in Los Angeles for a condition that could prove fatal without treatment.
Sofia requires continuous access to life-saving medical care.
According to a GoFundMe page, Sofia was “born premature with short bowel syndrome,” a condition that prevents her from absorbing nutrition naturally. She has endured multiple surgeries, and at one point, doctors warned she would not survive without intensive intervention.
During President Biden’s administration, Sofia’s mother, Vargas, and her family secured an appointment with U.S. border agents. After witnessing Sofia’s fragile condition—and hearing Vargas’ husband recount being kidnapped and threatened by cartel members—they were allowed entry into the United States.
Vargas explained, “Fortunately, I was able to get specialized help from Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, and now, thanks to their amazing care, Sofia is four years old.”
Despite the progress, Sofia remains dependent on intravenous nutrition for 14 hours each day and must visit the hospital every six weeks. As the GoFundMe notes, “Without the treatment provided by Children’s Hospital, Sofia will die.”
Returning to Mexico is not an option. Vargas told the Los Angeles Times, “I know the treatment they have there for her is not adequate, because we already lived it. Those were bad times. Here she is living the most normal life possible.”
However, the life-sustaining care Sofia receives is now reportedly at risk due to new immigration rules introduced under the Trump administration.
The four-year-old could die in days if deported (Deysi Vargas)
Trump’s recent deportation announcement
Earlier this month, the Trump administration revealed it would pay those who are undocumented in the US to ‘self deport’.
Part of the announcement read: “Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a historic opportunity for illegal aliens to receive both financial and travel assistance to facilitate travel back to their home country through the CBP Home App.
“Any illegal alien who uses the CBP Home App to self-deport will also receive a stipend of $1,000 dollars, paid after their return to their home country has been confirmed through the app.”
Vargas reportedly used the CBP One app to enter the US and has since seen an update to her app offering to help immigrants self-deport.
It’s reported if app users don’t take up the offer, a notice reportedly reads (via The LA Times): “The federal government will find you.”
And Sofia’s family have since issued a desperate plea for support.
Trump has been cracking down on undocumented people in the US (Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images)
“This child will die and there’s no sense for that to happen.”
The family’s lawyer, Rebecca Brown, from the pro bono legal organisation Public Counsel, has submitted a petition to continue their temporary humanitarian legal status due to Sofia’s medical condition.
The lawyer reportedly thinks it was a mistake that their legal status was terminated in the first place.
Brown said: “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.”
She added that doctors said Sofia ‘will die within a matter of days’ if her treatment is discontinued. The GoFundMe seeks financial support to help cover Sofia’s treatment costs as the family navigates the ‘uncertain’ time.
It resolves: “Due to unexpected changes in our circumstances, we’re navigating an urgent situation that could impact Sofia’s continued medical treatment at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.
“Any support during this uncertain and difficult time would mean the world to us and help us stay focused on her care.”
According to CBS, Vargas and her attorneys will hold a press conference to detail the steps the family can take.
