Bakersfield girl who faced deportation and loss of lifesaving medical care is allowed to stay in U.S.
The plight of the girl, whom The Times has identified by her initials, S.G.V., drew public outrage and galvanized dozens of lawmakers to advocate on her behalf. The girl and her parents, who are from Mexico, originally received temporary permission to enter the U.S. legally through Tijuana in 2023.
The Trump administration had rescinded the legal protections of S.G.V. and her parents, leaving them vulnerable to deportation. Her doctor at Children's Hospital Los Angeles said she could die within days of losing her medical care for short bowel syndrome, a condition that prevents her body from completely absorbing nutrients from food.
'By moving quickly, the agency has ensured that a four‑year‑old girl can continue receiving the specialized medical treatment that keeps her alive,' said the family's attorney Rebecca Brown of the nonprofit Public Counsel. 'However, many families still face harm under the sweeping policy to do away with humanitarian parole. We ask the government to ensure that no one be put in harm's way."
Read more: 4-year-old Bakersfield girl facing deportation could die within days of losing medical care
Last week, 38 congressional Democrats, including California Sens. Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff, condemned the termination of the family's status and urged the Department of Homeland Security to reinstate it.
"Without action, S.G.V. will die," the lawmakers wrote May 29 to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. "We urge a prompt response from your Department and a swift decision to extend this family's legal status in the U.S." The lawmakers wrote that the family's situation "clearly meets the need for humanitarian aid."
In a letter Monday to the family and their attorney, acting field office director Carmen Paniagua of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services wrote: "This is to advise you that effective June 2, 2025, you have been granted Humanitarian Parole for a period of one year."
In April, the girl's mother, Deysi Vargas, received notice from the federal government that their humanitarian protections and permission to work legally had been terminated. The notice told them to leave voluntarily or else 'the federal government will find you.'
An online fundraiser for S.G.V.'s care amassed more than $40,000 as of Tuesday.
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
23 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Senator Jason Esteves wants to be the next Democratic governor, and win Savannah's vote
Georgia Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate and Senator Jason Esteves arrived at Hotel Indigo at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 2 for an open meet-and-greet with a modest crowd of about 30 people. 'Democrats can win in Georgia,' said a lively Esteves to the room, which reciprocated with murmurs of approval. 'Democrats will win in Georgia.' In a state led by sitting Republican Governor Brian Kemp that swung back to red in the 2024 presidential election, in a country with a Republican-majority House and Senate, it's an optimistic battle cry on behalf of the Democratic Party. And 41-year-old Esteves himself is a relatively fresh face among two potential other Democratic candidates, including two-time state Representative Derrick Jackson and former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. But his strategy seems to be keeping his messaging simple, in a universal promise that may appeal to both sides of the aisle. 'We win by going across this state, not just in blue cities and blue counties, but red towns and red counties too,' he said. 'By talking to people about how we are going to keep and grow the money in their pocket.' Big promises for small businesses Esteves wears hats that may position him well to a variety of voters. He is a lawyer, business owner of an urgent care and two breakfast restaurants and a former middle school social science public school teacher. Still, his political stint has been a relatively recent endeavor as the state Democratic Party treasurer since 2019, and the District 35 Senator since 2023, representing Douglas and parts of Fulton County. Still, Esteves was confident enough to throw in the first Democratic chip for governor in April. And it appears that the new kid can also throw some punches. 'We deserve to have a governor that is going to invest as much in our small businesses as our governor today invests in a company like Hyundai,' said Esteves. Earlier in the day, Esteves spoke at a Black Business Expo panel in downtown Savannah. Whether the subject remained fresh on his mind, or he did intend to focus on it, small businesses owners were a cornerstone of his informal talk. 'He speaks the language,' said Brandon Campbell owner of B. Campbell, a custom suit company in Savannah since 2023. 'He doesn't just support mine, but any small business.' 'We don't get the back-end help or push the major companies get,' said Tajuan Brantley, owner of TB Fitness in Savannah for the past eight years. But listening to Esteves convinces Brantley that help will come. All paths lead to a fight in Washington Still, it's not just small business owners that Esteves hopes to win over. In response to a question about how to appeal to red counties, he boiled it down to three fairly lofty goals. 'When they meet me, and they see that I'm laser-focused on economic issues, laser focused on building a world-class healthcare system, a world-class education system, a lot of these folks have issues with that too,' he responded. 'We need a governor that's going to address the issues that have been plaguing Georgia for decades, long before Donald Trump was our president." Still, this doesn't mean he doesn't have a bone to pick with the current administration, and one of those bones is worth $119 million. Included in his promise to grow Georgians' pockets is seeing through the millions of dollars in federal aid for afflicted residents after Hurricane Helene that have still not been distributed nearly a year later—a frustration he expressed in an interview with Atlanta Journal Constitution podcast "Politically Georgia" in May. When asked how he might get back some of that federal money, 'we have to not be afraid to call out Washington, D.C. for what they're doing in Georgia,' Esteves said. The current "Republican governor is not saying a thing... I'm going to make sure that we have a governor that's going to fight the administration.' What Esteves wants for Savannah On Sunday, Aug. 3, Esteves will visit two local Savannah churches and attend another meet-and-greet at 4 p.m. at the The 5 Spot Sandfly at 7360 Skidaway Rd. If elected governor, Esteves' plans to ensure Savannah's residents can continue to live where they work. 'The coast has experienced significant growth, and it has beared the burden of keeping up with that growth,' said Esteves. Alleviating that burden means providing enough jobs that keep kids out of trouble, building infrastructure that can withstand flooding and climate change impacts, and providing affordable housing amid rapid development, he added. As for a nearby major developer's parking lot, he said he detests seeing license plates belonging nearly every other state but Georgia. 'We need a governor that's going to enforce the agreements that we have with Hyundai,' said Esteves, including those that promised hiring local contractors. 'Right now we have a governor that's putting business first instead of the people of the state.' The Georgia gubernatorial race will take place Nov. 3, 2026. The primary election for Governor of Georgia will take place on May 19, 2026. Jillian Magtoto covers climate change and the environment in coastal Georgia. You can reach her at jmagtoto@ This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Democratic gubernatorial vandidate Senator Jason Esteves visits Savannah Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
23 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Question of the Week: Will Florida's Democratic party return to relevance?
It's hard to believe Florida was once a Democratic stronghold that dominated the state's politics for about a century. Now after years of Republican dominance, one-third of the state has no functioning Democratic party and Republicans boast 1.3 million more registered voters. The last Democrat elected to a statewide position was Nikki Fried, who in 2018 was elected Commissioner of Agriculture. You have to go back even further to find the last Democrat to reside in the governor's mansion. That would be Kenneth Hood Mackay who served for a year after Democratic Chiles died in 1998 while still in office. 2018 was actually a decent year for Democrats who forced three recounts that year in statewide elections. But there has been little since then for the statewide party to get excited about. This week, as reported by James Call of the Tallahassee Democrat, two consultants and a local Democratic Party chair offered the beleaguered party insight and advice on how Democrats can start winning elections again, during a Capital Tiger Bay luncheon July 28 in Tallahassee. They gave Republicans credit for having the foresight to put together a long-term plan in the late 1990s. Beth Matuga of Hard Ask Consulting said Democrats need to start planning the same way. 'Republicans enacted a 25-year plan and it worked,' Matuga said. 'So, we should realistically be considering a 25-year plan to rebuild, not a 24-month plan.' Among the strategic messages shared were making sure the Democratic party not only reach out and speak to their base but to also listen. The same two-pronged approach is needed for getting voters to not only register as Democrats but to support and vote for their candidates, the consultants advised. Fried, who remains the state party chair, said it was also important for party leaders to reach out and talk to people who are not Democrats. She also said that economics always trumps politics: "Property insurance, auto insurance, everyday cost of living. These are policy issues that transcend partisan politics." 25 years seems like an awfully long time. Can it happen sooner? That brings us to the Question of the Week. Will Florida's Democratic party return to relevance in the next decade? Why or why not? You can simply cast your votes on the ballots above. You can scan the QR code that is on the print edition page or go to Please leave a comment telling us why you voted the way you did. In order for your comment or email to be published on our website and in next week's print edition, you must include your first and last name. You can also shoot me an email with "Democrats" in the subject line. I look forward to reading your responses. Last Sunday I asked: Do you agree with the county commission proposal to loosen the restrictions regarding backyard chickens? Results: Yes: 63.34 Percent No: 36.66 Percent Here's what you had to say: Chickens should be raised on a farm designed for them. -- Allen Halber The rising prices of eggs may make raising your own chickens seem appealing, but I have absolutely no interest in doing so because I am fully aware of what it entails. Chickens demand daily care — feeding, watering, and constant coop cleaning. They are undeniably messy creatures, and their droppings attract pests like rodents. Trust me, you definitely don't want to walk barefoot where chickens roam; they lay more than just eggs. Plus you can kiss your grass goodbye unless you have them penned up because they love to scratch in the dirt. Additionally, we must remain vigilant against predators such as hawks, owls, raccoons, and even domestic animals that have an eye for chickens, just like my husband does—only they don't require any cooking. I sincerely hope my neighbors don't decide to get the permitted six chickens. Not only would I have to deal with an influx of predators, but let's not overlook the foul smell and the potential diseases that come with them. So yes, I firmly oppose the idea of allowing wannabe chicken farmers within city limits—especially in my neighborhood. -- Marcie Sizemore Ramirez I have 4 beautiful hens in my backyard and they bring great charm and beautiful eggs to my Cocoa Beach home. I always bring their food into my florida room at night, to keep the predators away. Lessening the restrictions in communities is only a win for Brevard! -- Lisa Catledge My complaint is about neighbors in upscale unincorporated areas (I'm in Indialantic), and they do have roosters from some of the eggs hatching unnoticed. Part of the issue. I think minimum of 1-2 acres would be better. -- Ed Palmer There were chickens and a goose across our back fence when we lived in Melbourne Village, and I liked the homey feeling they gave the neighborhood. I liked hearing the rooster crow but realized that it might have disturbed some sleepers. I smiled whenever I heard a hen "cackle" when she laid an egg: "Look what I did!" she was proclaiming. I also liked being able to buy fresh eggs from the owner, but that's not on the table in this issue. I think it's good for people to be reminded where our food comes from. It's not created out of thin air. It's grown, somehow, somewhere. -- Margaret Broussard I think everyone should be allowed to have chickens i would have to say that my chicken i am on a limit of 6 where I live and I only have 4 but they are so much more than just egg providers and if given love and attention as they are growing they can be as loving as a dog or cat. They have unique individual personalities and can ve man's best friend. Im sure not everyone will be on my team here but if u dont agree thats opinions are like buttholes everyone has one yet no need to act as tho you are one.... anyway it is just my opinion as long as they are properly cared for and the cage cleaned out and the poop disposed of somehow then there isnt an issue I live in a field and have had chickens for 2 years never had a snake in my yard or a rat not ever . So they dont always invite pests if cared for properly. -- Julie James I think all citizens should have the right to live in a more self sustaining way no matter where they live. -- Abigail Page I believe they should allow us to keep chickens, more than 6 to be honest! We all need to learn how to be self-motivated to grow your own food. There is too much government control, too many lazy people depending on a system set up to make the rich richer. We need to go back farming. We can still relax on our garden area we set up and sip whiskey all we want. You enjoy something someone else provides, why not enjoy something you can provide for your self with help and high prices for food God put on this earth for us. -- DeJuan Smith Kids are so disconnected from where food comes from that it's a good learning experience. My kids and grandkids love picking up eggs and knowing on sight which chickens laid which eggs. Chicken eggs from free range chickens have less cholesterol and taste SO much better than mass produced eggs. Chickens are funny and interesting and can be quite breed research. If you grow tired of them, call a feed store, unlike excess cats, someone will be happy to take them. -- Trish Lynch People living in an HOA should not be permitted to raise chickens. Outside of an HOA and in unincorporated Brevard ― such as Grant ― rules allow for a lot of animals, chickens included. -- Julin Lynn Without a large area to provide the range they need and distance from other nearby neighbors to keep the noise and smell at a distance. Properties are often built close together so how do you determine (without an ordinance) what is too close? Who's going to police this? I vote no. Unless you can provide more restrictions. Each chicken will lay one egg per day. Even with 3 chickens that's a lot of eggs 21 per week. A lot of omelets. Chicken poo does smell. They do attract raccoons and an occasional bobcat. In our area the houses are pretty close together so you can clearly here them. When the chicken farmers loose interest and they aren't as attentive as they were in the beginning…well you know. -- Jerry Saylor As a child, my family had an egg ranch with 100,000 laying hens. There is not much difference in effort required between raising one hen or six. In other words, all of the care and feeding that one has to do to produce eggs from one hen is essentially equal to raising six hens. The inherent problems are also essentially equal. The biggest problems to raising hens in an urban setting are: 1) the odors generated from their droppings, and 2) the feed which acts as a magnet for rats and other rodents. If you are to pursue it as a hobby, it can be very rewarding. If you believe you are going to save money by raising your own hens, you will soon be given a lesson in the economies of scale. You will discover that purchasing eggs is generally far more economical. -- Ted Hunt If this were not so funny it would be pathetic. I have some experience in this. It is nigh impossible to figure out a baby chicken's sex. So, you order your 6-chicks ― ask for hens and … whoops one of those chicks ends up being a rooster. But until the waddle and comb develop you think they are all female. Now comes the challenge. What do you do with the noise? Hens are really noisy but a rooster!! Yikes, in my neighbor's yard? Did you want to meet your local racoon or fox or bobcat ― just raise chickens! Unless you have lots of acreage this is a bad idea. BTW, if you've ever been to Key West you know these hens actually can fly into trees! I hope my subdivision has a by-law concerning chickens! -- Laura Petruska Great decision. Everybody should have chickens. They produce, are fun to be around, eat scraps, can be trained, give kids some worthwhile are a win-win-- Robert "Bob" Socks Contact Torres at jtorres@ You can follow him on X @johnalbertorres Multimedia editor Rob Landers contributed to this report. Support local journalism and become a subscriber. Visit This article originally appeared on Florida Today: This week's Question of the Week concerns Florida's Democratic party Solve the daily Crossword
USA Today
24 minutes ago
- USA Today
I volunteered to help refugees. I understand my mom better because of it.
My mom fled the Vietnam War. The fact that I was given the opportunity to help families resettle in the U.S., just as someone had helped my mom, is so American. I had a list of interview questions in hand and Afghan women sitting around me, listening intently. All of them were wearing hijabs, and their ages varied. The room was loud from the other groups doing mock job interviews. One woman leaned in, asking question after question. Seeking clarity. Driven to improve. So much was at stake for her, and the hope and anxiety in her eyes touched my heart. She had been in America for two weeks, and this practice job interview could mean the difference between employment and unemployment, between finding safety in a new country or continuing to live in a place of fear and uncertainty. The mock interview was my first assignment while volunteering this summer for the Ethiopian Community Development Council (ECDC) in Arlington, Virginia. The organization was founded four decades ago to support Ethiopian immigrants around Washington, DC, and now it focuses on refugees from Afghanistan and Ukraine. In the months leading up to this internship, I watched documentaries, listened to podcasts, did a school project, and read articles regarding the refugee crisis and the history of Afghanistan. Once I arrived, however, it became clear that this experience wasn't about research or history. It was about shared humanity. Helping refugees is about more than providing shelter Days later, the women had a fashion show to showcase the sewing skills they've been learning as part of job training. I watched the kids so the moms could just enjoy themselves, and as I played with dolls, took photos, chased children around and kept them company, I was struck by how these kids were just like kids everywhere. While the adults were figuring out their families' housing and finances, and getting acclimated to a new culture, the children were making friends, having fun, and feeling safe enough to imagine and to play. One of my favorite things about ECDC is that the resettlement agency not only helps refugees in their need for security, it also helps build joy and emotional connection. Each of these is as important as the other. The job training and help with housing provide security, but it is the laughter of the children that gives the families a true sense of home and community. Opinion: Trump suspends refugees from entering US. But Americans' compassion gives me hope. Something Bob Elston, a staff member at ECDC, said stuck with me: 'Helping individual families ‒ seeing their progress ‒ is the reason we come to work. Their success becomes our shared success.' This idea lingered with me, but I truly felt it a week into my internship when I saw the same woman from the mock interviews at a different event. She walked up to me, thanked me for helping her and hugged me. I could feel her gratitude through the hug, and in that moment, I thought I might cry. I'm the daughter of a refugee from the Vietnam War I felt connected to her future by connecting to my own past because I am the daughter of a refugee. My mom fled the Vietnam War and made a new life for herself in America, starting from ground zero. Honestly, I saw my mom in the faces of all the women I spoke with at ECDC, each one trying to create a new life in a new place after fleeing a place of chaos. The fact that I was given the opportunity to help families resettle in America, just as someone had helped my mom, was such a beautiful example of compassion coming full circle. Opinion: We have not healed from the Vietnam War. Don't let it take another 50 years. At one point during my internship, I laughed to myself because I, the daughter of a Vietnamese refugee, was having lunch with a Sudanese family while working for the Ethiopian Community Development Council, which helps Afghan refugees. It was funny and poignant, but what I remember the most about that moment was that I couldn't stop thinking about how American it was. It's commonplace to point out that America is a melting pot; I'm talking about more than that. I'm talking about the American character, that foundational impulse that shows itself in the desire to help, to see beyond surfaces and to offer a hand to those who stand at the threshold. I've always known the truth of that impulse because of my mom's story, but after my time with the refugee resettlement agency, I know beyond certainty that by extending a hand, we increase our own hope. Madeleine Nguyen Kayne is a rising high school senior at Crossroads School for Arts and Sciences in Santa Monica, California. She serves as an editor for Crossfire, competes on the tennis varsity team, and is the founder and president of her school's Red Cross chapter. You can read diverse opinions from our USA TODAY columnists and other writers on the Opinion front page, on X, formerly Twitter, @usatodayopinion and in our Opinion newsletter.
