Facing the risk of losing her children to deportation, Yessica Rojas, a mother from Venezuela, chose to leave Missouri this spring. Stories of mothers deported while their children remained in the U.S. pushed her to make the heart-wrenching decision to abandon her hopes for a better life in America.
A Heartbreaking Decision: Venezuelan Mother Leaves the U.S. for Her Children
A Heartbreaking Decision: Venezuelan Mother Leaves the U.S. for Her Children
Yessica Rojas, a Venezuelan immigrant, makes the difficult choice to leave the United States to protect her children amidst fears of deportation.
Yessica Rojas, a 29-year-old mother from Venezuela, found herself at a crossroads after two challenging years in the United States. Fearful of losing her two children, Yessiel and Kenyerly, she decided to leave Missouri this spring. The catalyst for her decision stemmed from alarming accounts of other Venezuelan mothers being separated from their children during deportations, which had resonated deeply within immigrant communities.
“Just look at the stories of mothers like me,” she stated, emphasizing the harrowing experiences she had read about online. Reports of a two-year-old girl named Antonella being placed in foster care while her mother was sent back to Venezuela were particularly distressing for Rojas. The trauma these incidents inflicted on families drove her to reassess her situation. She believed that staying in the U.S. posed an unacceptable risk to her children’s safety.
During her time in Branson, Missouri, Rojas faced numerous challenges, yet her determination to provide a better future for her children kept her hopeful. However, social media shared grim narratives that spread through immigrant circles faster than any governmental assurances could counteract. Accounts of voluntary departures became more frequent as parents opted to return to their homeland rather than face possible separations.
In light of these troubling developments, Rojas joined the many others who have sought to escape the precariousness of life in America under the current administration. As she prepared to depart, she reflected on the dreams she held and the sacrifices made for her children. With her heart heavy but resolute, she stepped away from a life that no longer felt safe or secure, prioritizing her children’s welfare above all else.
