A Life on Hold: Sofia’s Case and the Challenge of Short Bowel Syndrome

Sofia, a four-year-old Mexican girl, has become the human face of a complex intersection between health and immigration. Diagnosed with Short Bowel Syndrome (SBS), a condition that severely limits nutrient absorption, her survival depends on 14 hours of daily intravenous nutrition treatment unavailable in Mexico due to lack of specialized infrastructure 

SBS is a rare disorder, often resulting from extensive intestinal surgery or congenital anomalies. The loss of significant portions of the small intestine leads to chronic malnutrition, diarrhea, and stunted growth.

In 2023, Sofia’s family entered the U.S. legally under humanitarian parole. But in April 2025, the Department of Homeland Security revoked her permit, putting her life at risk of deportation a move her doctors warned could be fatal.

Following advocacy from Public Counsel and diplomatic pressure, the U.S. restored her humanitarian permit for one more year. Sofia’s story illustrates the ethical and medical stakes at the heart of compassionate immigration policy.