DeSaulnier Announces First Step Taken on Private Bill for Isabel Bueso

Washington, DC – Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11) announced that the House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship voted to request a report from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as a first step toward considering H.R. 4225, a bill to allow Isabel Bueso and her family to remain in the United States so Isabel can continue to receive treatment for her rare, life-threatening disease.

“Isabel and her family have been living in limbo for over a decade. When the Trump Administration ended medical deferred action, their worst nightmare became a reality. They deserve this private bill so they can have peace of mind and put their focus on maintaining Isabel’s health – not on whether they will be targeted again,” said Congressman DeSaulnier.

“Every two years, my family follows the rules and re-applies to stay in the United States for another two years. After our denial last year, our hearts were broken and we were filled with fear. We need to find a permanent solution that guarantees our lives won’t continue to be threatened. I look forward to working with Congressman DeSaulnier on this private bill to help myself and my family get the certainty we need,” said Isabel Bueso.

Isabel rose to national notoriety recently as the face of the Trump Administration’s cancellation of medical deferred action, which led to people like her with rare, life-threatening diseases facing deportation. Isabel, joined by her family, came to the United States legally from Guatemala to receive treatment for Maroteaux-Lamy Syndrome, also known as Mucopolysaccharidosis Type VI. Her participation in medical trials helped identify an effective, life-saving treatment, which the drug manufacturer says Isabel cannot receive in her home country of Guatemala. Isabel and her family have lawfully resided in the East Bay since being invited here for those trials, graduating summa cum laude from Cal State East Bay.

Before her treatment was discovered, Isabel was only expected to live to 7 years old. She is now 24.