The parents of Mía Rey Jiménez, a two-year-old Cuban girl suffering from stage four aggressive cancer, are urgently appealing to U.S. immigration authorities for an emergency humanitarian visa. They believe that treatment at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Miami offers their daughter a greater chance of survival than the care available in Costa Rica, where the family is currently residing.
According to a report by Univision, the family left Cárdenas, Matanzas in May 2025 shortly after receiving the devastating diagnosis of metastatic neuroblastoma, a highly aggressive form of childhood cancer. Despite gathering all necessary paperwork and applying for a U.S. visa, their request was denied, and they are now in the process of appealing the decision.
Journey for Treatment Options
Initially, the family traveled from Nicaragua to Costa Rica in search of treatment options unavailable in Cuba. “It was a difficult decision because we knew what it meant for a Cuban to arrive in another place,” confessed Mía’s mother, Liudmila Jiménez Matos.
In Costa Rica, Mía underwent chemotherapy and high-risk surgery. Her mother recounted how doctors warned them of over 90% odds against her surviving the operation because the tumor was entangled with the aorta and vena cava. “Thank God she came through, because she is a fighter with a will to live,” said Liudmila.
Seeking Hope in the U.S.
Two tumors have been removed from Mía, but she still has a lung mass that has metastasized to her bone marrow, hindering her body’s ability to produce stem cells properly. Amid their search for alternatives, the family reached out to Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Miami. According to the mother, the hospital agreed to take on the case, offering Mía an 80% chance of survival compared to the 45% chance in Costa Rica. However, to access this opportunity, they need to legally enter the U.S. with a humanitarian visa, which falls under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
The initial visa request was denied, prompting the legal team to appeal, presenting new medical evidence and financial support. Mía’s father is a legal resident in the United States and, according to legal assistant Lissette Herrera, has no criminal record. The family also has a pending family petition filed since 2023, strengthening their immigration ties to the country. Upon learning about the case, a law firm took it on immediately.
Community Support and Legal Efforts
“The father has no criminal record in the United States, he is a citizen who has always paid his taxes, and they have a family petition from 2023,” Herrera explained to Univision. Lissette traveled personally to Costa Rica to meet Mía, assess her medical situation, and gather necessary documentation for the humanitarian visa application.
“There is insurance, there are foundations, there is a GoFundMe, and the father works. He called congresswoman María Elvira Salazar’s office every day. I know that at some point, it becomes bothersome,” noted Herrera on the father’s persistence in seeking a positive response.
The lawyers argue to USCIS that Mía will not be a public burden, as four foundations, along with Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, have assured coverage of all necessary expenses to save her life. Simultaneously, the family launched a GoFundMe campaign to bolster financial aid and demonstrate their capacity to cover the girl’s and her parents’ stay and additional needs.
A Public Plea for Help
In a tearful video shared on social media through the TikTok account @team_guampy, Liudmila provided her direct testimony from Costa Rica. “My daughter’s name is Mía, she’s two years old. She has stage four aggressive cancer, a neuroblastoma with metastasis. We are in Costa Rica. We crossed borders so the girl could be saved,” she explained.
Liudmila insists on making their case public to avoid another visa denial and seeks the support of the Cuban exile community to apply pressure and help cover travel and living costs. “We are asking, I, the girl, my family... for the case to be public because we need a visa and help to achieve it,” she declared. Her message includes a plea to U.S. immigration authorities to “put their hand on their heart, to appeal to humanity.”
With the final decision pending from USCIS, the family remains caught between hospitals, paperwork, and waiting, acutely aware that time is not on their side. They are convinced that, across the Florida Straits, there is a real treatment option that could give Mía the chance to continue living.
FAQ on Humanitarian Visas for Medical Cases
What is a humanitarian visa?
A humanitarian visa is a special entry permit to the U.S. issued for urgent humanitarian reasons, such as medical emergencies, allowing individuals to receive necessary care in the country.
How can someone apply for a humanitarian visa in the U.S.?
To apply for a humanitarian visa, individuals must submit their application to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, providing evidence of the urgent need, such as medical documentation and financial support assurances.
What factors do U.S. authorities consider for granting a humanitarian visa?
U.S. authorities evaluate the urgency of the medical need, the availability of financial support, the applicant's ties to the U.S., and any potential burden on public resources when considering humanitarian visa applications.