Texas family deported instead of receiving medical care

A family from Texas faced a major crisis when they tried to rush their 10-year-old daughter, Sara, to the hospital after brain surgery. Instead of receiving medical help, her parents, Maria and Juan, were detained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and deported to Mexico. The couple's other four children, all U.S. citizens, were with them during this ordeal. The family had been living in the U.S. since 2013 and had no criminal records. They were on their way to Texas Children's Hospital for Sara's urgent medical needs when they were stopped at a checkpoint. Maria and Juan presented proof of their daughter’s condition and her need for care. However, they were taken into detention instead, and after 24 hours, sent back to Mexico. The family's lawyer described the situation as "absurd," emphasizing the struggles they now face. The deportation separated them from their oldest child, 17-year-old Fernando, who remains in the U.S. The family now lives in fear in rural Mexico, avoiding the outside world due to concerns about safety. Sara's health is fragile. She has complex medical needs after surviving a brain tumor removal and requires daily medication to prevent seizures. The family is currently unable to access her necessary medications or medical care. The Texas Civil Rights Project has filed a complaint, alleging that CBP agents acted improperly and that the family suffered poor treatment during detention. CBP denied these allegations and stated they adhere to strict standards of care. The family's plight highlights the challenges faced by many undocumented immigrants in the U.S., especially when seeking essential healthcare for their children. They are now trying to return to the U.S. to reunite as a family and ensure Sara receives the medical attention she desperately needs.