11-year-old U.S. citizen with brain tumor deported to Mexico, medical care interrupted
Sep 18, 2025·Location: Rio Grande Valley, TX
Country of origin: Mexico

An 11-year-old U.S. citizen girl recovering from a rare brain tumor was deported to Mexico on February 4, 2025, when immigration authorities arrested her undocumented parents at a checkpoint while the family traveled to Houston for her emergency medical checkup. The girl had undergone surgery to remove the tumor and requires specialized care every three months. Since deportation, her health has deteriorated significantly, with worsening seizures, muscle spasms, and loss of neurological functions. She has received only one MRI scan instead of the recommended quarterly monitoring. Four of the family's five children are U.S. citizens. The family filed humanitarian parole applications through the Texas Civil Rights Project, but USCIS has not yet responded. Congressional members including Reps. Adriano Espaillat, Sylvia Garcia, and Joaquin Castro are advocating for the family's return.
Timeline
Sources
- Humanitarian parole denied for deported parents of U.S. citizen girl with rare brain tumor
NBC News·May 18, 2026·archived copy
- Deported family of U.S. citizen girl recovering from rare brain tumor is determined to return
NBC News·May 9, 2025·archived copy
- One Year Without Proper Treatment for Her Rare Brain Tumor, 11-Year-Old U.S. Citizen Remains Stuck in Mexico
latintimes.com·Feb 28, 2026·archived copy
- Recovery stalls for U.S. citizen girl with rare brain tumor, deported mother says
aol.co.uk·Feb 23, 2026·archived copy
aol.com·Feb 23, 2026·archived copy
- Humanitarian parole sought for family of young U.S. citizen with brain cancer who was deported to Mexico
tpr.org·Sep 18, 2025·archived copy
- Deported family of US citizen girl recovering from rare brain tumor is determined to return
nbcsandiego.com·May 9, 2025·archived copy
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