Venezuelan Mother Leaves U.S. Amid Fears for Her Children's Future

After hearing alarming stories of other Venezuelan mothers facing deportation while their children remained in foster care, Yessica Rojas and her two children left Missouri in search of safety and a stable future.

In a heart-wrenching decision fueled by fear and desperation, Yessica Rojas, a 29-year-old Venezuelan mother, decided to leave Missouri with her two children, Yessiel and Kenyerly, this spring. The trigger for their departure was the disturbing tales emerging from social media about other Venezuelan mothers who faced deportation, while their children were left behind in the United States.

“After hearing those stories, it just isn’t worth it now,” Rojas explained as she and her family prepared to leave. Notably, one of the cases that struck her deeply was that of a 2-year-old girl named Antonella, who remained in foster care after her mother was deported back to Venezuela and her father imprisoned in El Salvador. Although Antonella has since been reunited with her family, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the harrowing realities faced by immigrant families.

The impact of such cases reverberates through immigrant communities, exceeding the efforts made by the Trump administration, which included financial incentives for self-deportation. Current data on how many individuals have chosen to return to their home countries since President Trump began his second term is unclear, but reports indicate that around 65 people recently boarded a flight to Colombia and Honduras, expressing a desire to abandon their dreams in the U.S.

Yessica's decision exemplifies the widespread sense of anxiety among migrant parents who now grapple with the increasing uncertainty surrounding their legal status and the well-being of their children. As she navigates this painful transition, her story highlights the many challenges faced by families seeking refuge and a better life abroad.