Following his family's expulsion, a teenager assumes the role of support system for his sister as she recovers from a cerebral tumor.
In a heart-wrenching turn of events, a family of six, four of whom are U.S. citizens, were deported six months ago, leaving one of the siblings in critical need of medical care in the United States. The 11-year-old sister, a U.S. citizen, is recovering from a rare brain tumor and requires regular medical check-ins, MRI scans, rehabilitation therapy sessions, and medication to prevent seizures.
The girl's symptoms, including worsening headaches and dizziness, are indicative of some of the lasting side effects from her brain surgery. Her specialist doctors are based in the United States, making it difficult for her to access the care she needs in Mexico.
The family was deported to Mexico after immigration authorities removed their parents, who lacked legal status, and subsequently deported them. The family's absence has left the 18-year-old brother feeling lonely, as he was left behind in the United States alone.
In an attempt to help his sister, the 18-year-old has been buying lifesaving medication for her every two weeks and sending it to Mexico. He has put his dreams of becoming a neurosurgeon, the same type of doctor who saved his sister's life, on hold indefinitely. To financially support his family, he is working two jobs.
The family applied for humanitarian parole with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in June but has not received a response. Under humanitarian parole, an individual can seek temporary entry to the U.S. for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit such as critical medical treatment.
To qualify for humanitarian parole, the sibling's urgent medical condition and the need for immediate entry to the U.S. must be clearly demonstrated. The petitioner files Form I-131 (Application for Travel Document) on behalf of the sibling needing parole. Supporting evidence includes medical records, a letter from a doctor detailing the critical condition and required treatment in the U.S., proof of the sibling’s U.S. citizenship, and evidence of family deportation circumstances.
The church community is helping the family by fixing up their house in preparation for their return. Despite the challenges, the 18-year-old brother remains hopeful, thinking he would be applying to colleges and pursuing a career as a neurosurgeon if his family were still in the United States.
USCIS did not respond to a request for comment regarding the family's humanitarian parole application. The USCIS website states that applicants may demonstrate urgency by establishing a reason to be in the U.S. that calls for immediate action, including critical medical treatment or the need to visit, assist, or support a relative who is ill.
- The girl's condition necessitates regular insurance coverage for her medication, MRI scans, and therapy sessions.
- Science and medicine have played a significant role in saving the girl's life, with the potential for her brother to become a neurosurgeon in the future.
- In the workplace-wellness sphere, the 18-year-old brother's commitment to his sister's care demonstrates his dedication to family health and mental health.
- The family's health-and-wellness journey includes fitness-and-exercise, as the 18-year-old works two jobs to support his family.
- Within the realm of women's health, the importance of timely and proper healthcare is exemplified by the sister's critical need for medical treatment in the United States.
- The family's circumstances, including parenting challenges and the sister's healthcare needs, highlight the need for education-and-self-development and career-development resources for immigrants.
- Skin care becomes a concern, as the family prepares to return to the United States, with the need for a fresh start and patches of therapy and treatments.
- While navigating job-search and skills-training processes, the 18-year-old brother is keeping CBD oils in mind as potential alternatives for managing his stress levels in the face of his demanding responsibilities.
