Venezuelan Mother Leaves U.S. Amid Fears for Her Children’s Safety

As concerns over family separations grow, Yessica Rojas, a mother from Venezuela, chose to leave her life in Missouri along with her two children, spurred by viral social media stories that highlighted the dangers her family could face.

Yessica Rojas, a 29-year-old mother from Venezuela, made the heartbreaking decision to leave her life in Missouri this spring, opting to return to South America due to fears for her children's safety. The decision was driven by troubling narratives that circulated widely on social media about Venezuelan mothers being forcibly separated from their children by U.S. authorities. Ms. Rojas, like many parents in similar situations, was haunted by stories of mothers being deported while their children remained in foster care.

Reflecting on her choices, Ms. Rojas stated, “It just isn’t worth it now.” Such sentiments echo throughout immigrant communities as stories of heartbreaking separations resonate deeply. Earlier this year, a particularly heart-wrenching case highlighted the plight of a 2-year-old Venezuelan girl named Antonella, who remained in foster care while her mother faced deportation back to Venezuela.

This troubling climate under the Trump administration has led to a notable impact on immigrant families, triggering a wave of voluntary departures from the U.S. While the exact number of families who have opted to leave is unclear, reports indicate that flights carrying individuals choosing to return to their home countries are becoming more frequent. Recent government figures revealed that a flight encompassing around 65 individuals left for Colombia and Honduras, with stories from various immigrants telling of the growing trend of families taking drastic measures to protect their children.

As Yessica left Branson, Missouri, the fear of what could happen to her children loomed large, a fear that many parents share in a time when the stakes are remarkably high for families seeking refuge.