WASHINGTON — Lawmakers this week condemned the Trump administration’s termination of humanitarian protections which have left a 4-year-old lady who’s receiving vital medical therapy in Los Angeles weak to deportation and dying.
On Tuesday, The Occasions revealed the story of S.G.V., who has brief bowel syndrome — a uncommon situation that stops her physique from fully absorbing vitamins. She and her dad and mom obtained momentary permission to enter the U.S. legally via Tijuana in 2023.
In a letter Thursday to Division of Homeland Safety Secretary Kristi Noem, 38 congressional Democrats, together with California Sens. Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff, urged her to rethink the termination of the household’s authorized standing.
“We believe this family’s situation clearly meets the need for humanitarian aid and urge you and this Administration to reconsider its decision,” the lawmakers wrote. “It is our duty to protect the sick, vulnerable, and defenseless.”
Final month, S.G.V.’s household, who now dwell in Bakersfield, obtained discover from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Companies that their standing had been terminated and that they needed to depart the nation instantly. Earlier this month, they utilized once more for humanitarian protections.
Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary within the Division of Homeland Safety, stated in a press release that the household shouldn’t be actively within the deportation course of and that their software remains to be being thought-about.
The lady’s doctor, Dr. John Arsenault of Youngsters’s Hospital Los Angeles, wrote in a letter requested by her household that any interruption in her day by day diet system “could be fatal within a matter of days.”
The story about S.G.V. drew swift public outcry. A web-based fundraiser for the lady’s care had amassed practically $26,000 as of Thursday morning.
The letter to Noem was led by Reps. Luz Rivas (D-North Hollywood) and Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Los Angeles). Rivas stated state legislators and constituents messaged her in regards to the household, asking what she may do to assist.
Whereas the household lives outdoors of Rivas’ district, which encompasses the north-central San Fernando Valley, she stated it’s her position as a California Democrat and a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus to talk up for immigrant constituents in districts the place Republican representatives might not achieve this.
“That’s why we’re organizing as members of Congress,” Rivas stated. “Without action from Secretary Noem and this administration, this little girl will die within days.”
In a publish on X, Rep. Judy Chu (D-Monterey Park) referred to as the scenario “heartbreaking.” Searching for to deport the lady regardless of her medical situation is “cruel and inexcusable,” Chu added.
In one other X publish, Rep. Greg Casar (D-Texas) wrote: “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?”
“If they deport us and they take away my daughter’s access to specialized medical care, she will die,” stated Deysi Vargas.
Attorneys for the household famous that S.G.V. shouldn’t be the one youngster affected in latest months by the Trump administration’s immigration insurance policies. In an try to hurry up arrests and deportations, they stated, kids are needlessly being swept up within the course of.
Gina Amato Lough, directing lawyer at Public Counsel, stated the lady’s case “is a symbol of the recklessness of this administration’s deportation policies.”
“We’re seeing a pattern of cruelty and a violation of our most treasured rights and values,” stated Amato Lough. “These are people coming to us for protection, and instead we’re sending them to die. That’s not justice, and it doesn’t make us any safer.”
