ICE Deports Naperville Dad Whose Daughter Has Spina Bifida

NAPERVILLE, IL — A Naperville dad was deported Saturday, despite desperate pleas to stay in the U.S. with his 2-year-old daughter, who has spina bifida. Mexican native Alejandro Medina Franco filled out a form requesting an exception from Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The I-246 form, which would delay deportation for humanitarian reasons, was denied by ICE, Chicago Tribune reports.

Medina Franco had a previous exception to stay in the United States, but that exception, made under President Barack Obama, expired in late 2017. A renewal was denied under Trump's stricter laws about criminal backgrounds.

The obstacle Medina Franco has come up against involves past charges of selling a fake ID and battery. The battery incident involved Medina Franco's wife, according to Chicago Tribune, who reports that she supports his efforts to stay in the U.S.

Medina Franco's wife and daughter, Joyce, will stay in the country to give the toddler access to the health care and assistance she requires to get through daily life.

Joyce has what's considered the most severe form of spina bifida, known as myelomeningocele. This means her spinal tissue and nerves are exposed. According to Mayo Clinic, this form of the condition can result in "life-threatening infections."

Medina Franco knew if he'd missed his flight Saturday, he would have faced jail time. So, the professional landscaper flew out of O'Hare International Airport promptly at 11 a.m. Saturday, leaving his wife — and his daughter — to continue rely on government aid for Joyce's necessary medical care.

More via Chicago Tribune

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