The family, originally from Texas, was stopped at an immigration checkpoint last month while traveling to Houston for the child’s medical appointment. Despite having made the trip multiple times before without issue, this time, they were detained and sent to Mexico.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers apprehended the family as they made their way from Rio Grande to Houston, where the young girl had been receiving treatment from her doctors.
Previously, when stopped at the checkpoint, the undocumented parents provided letters from their attorney and medical professionals. These had been accepted on each prior occasion, allowing them to continue their journey.
However, this time, border officials refused to honor them and proceeded to arrest the parents, despite them having no criminal record.
Of the five children, only one was not born in the United States, making the majority of them U.S. citizens. But when immigration officers presented the parents with an option—to either be deported alone or take the children with them—the couple made the difficult decision to keep their family together and leave for Mexico as a unit.
The 10-year-old girl had been undergoing treatment for brain cancer, having undergone surgery the previous year. Since the operation to remove the tumor, she had been attending follow-up visits in Houston to ensure her recovery was progressing as expected.
She and her daughters were placed in one area, while her husband and sons were taken elsewhere.
Eventually, border agents transported them to a detention facility before driving them across the border into Mexico.
To make matters worse, the family’s 15-year-old son is also in need of medical care. He suffers from Long QT syndrome, a heart condition that disrupts normal heart rhythms and can be life-threatening if left untreated.
The mother expressed deep concern, telling NBC that without access to doctors in the U.S., both of her children’s health conditions have been put at serious risk.
Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump’s immigration policies have faced widespread criticism for their aggressive approach to deportations. His administration has repeatedly defended its stance, arguing that the responsibility lies with undocumented parents.
Since taking office in 2017, Trump has remained firm in his commitment to strengthening U.S. border security. His administration has consistently pursued policies that increase deportations, including targeting families with children who are U.S. citizens.
