Venezuelan Mother Flees U.S. for Children’s Safety Amid Immigration Fears

In a heart-wrenching story, Yessica Rojas, a Venezuelan mother, left the U.S. with her children due to fears of deportation and separation, illustrating the impact of the current immigration climate on vulnerable families.

Yessica Rojas faced an agonizing choice as she decided to leave Missouri with her two children, Yessiel and Kenyerly. The 29-year-old Venezuelan mother, hearing distressing accounts of fellow mothers from Venezuela who faced deportation while their children remained in U.S. custody, felt compelled to act. The stories of separation that circulated on social media were not just rumors, with cases like that of a Venezuelan toddler named Antonella who was kept in foster care while her mother was sent back to Venezuela. This incident left Rojas grappling with the realization that her family’s future in the United States was precarious.

"I can’t take that risk," Rojas lamented, explaining her decision to leave the country. As the climate surrounding immigration in the U.S. shifted under President Trump’s administration, fears became palpable within immigrant communities. Reports of families choosing to leave America voluntarily have emerged, as some parents chose to avoid the potential horror of losing their children to deportation or foster care.

Since the beginning of Trump’s second term, it’s unclear how many immigrant families have decided to abandon their lives in the U.S. However, incidents like Rojas’ highlight the ongoing anxiety that many migrant parents face. With reports of flights transporting dozens of families back to South America, the toll of these immigration policies is becoming evident. For families like Rojas’, the pursuit of safety and stability could only be found away from the uncertainty of American immigration enforcement.