Bishop convinced ICE not to deport the mother of a sick child

Religious leaders intervened in the process of deportation of the mother of a child with cancer.

Migration officers provided Maria De Lore with a delay for a while, while her daughter, 8-year-old Aliya, is undergoing treatment for small-cell osteosarcoma.

“The responsibility of the church, I think, is to speak about the gospel and to call us to something better, to call us to compassion, even as we deal with difficult issues of immigration,” said Bishop Mark Seitz of the Catholic Diocese of El Paso.

He and other religious leaders first met with ICE officials when Seitz decided to intervene in the deportation process.

"ICE officials accepted the request for a stay of deportation, meaning the woman can still be in the country," said Linda Rivas, De Lore's lawyer. The meeting lasted about 45 minutes.

“This is good news and we really appreciate ICE's cooperation at this time given that Maria is with her daughter at all times,” Rivas said. “They understand that this is a very important and special occasion, given the condition of their daughter.”

Alia underwent eight operations on her right leg, lungs and mouth to remove cancerous tumors.

The 8-year-old girl, whom her mother called a “fighter”, is slowly fighting cancer.

In February, a remission occurred, but other tumors formed in her lungs.

“She’s very strong,” De Laura said. “She has enormous willpower.” She doesn't give up. She wants to live."

“Obviously it would be cruel for our country to deport her mother, who fled Mexico after her husband was killed,” Seits said.

ICE officials claim that Alia’s sister is looking after the child, but there are no supporting documents that she is her guardian.

“I always took care of my daughter,” de Laura said. Since she was diagnosed with sarcoma, I was by her side day and night. The doctors and nurses know that I am always with her,” says the mother.

Rivas asks immigration officers to give De Lore a reprieve at least next year.

“If we go back to Juarez, she won’t survive,” de Laura said. “She has a better chance of surviving if she stays here.”

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