Venezuelan Family Returns Home After Weeks of Trying to Self-Deport

Yelitza Perez and her two daughters faced bureaucratic hurdles in their efforts to voluntarily leave the U.S.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 2:05am

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A solitary Venezuelan passport or travel document rests on an airport counter, its surface reflecting the warm, angled light and deep shadows characteristic of Edward Hopper's cinematic paintings, conveying the quiet struggle and uncertainty of a migrant's journey.The bureaucratic hurdles faced by migrants like Yelitza Perez and her daughters when trying to voluntarily leave the U.S. are captured in this cinematic, nostalgic scene.Today in Miami

After weeks of trying to return home voluntarily and avoid formal deportation, Yelitza Perez, a 29-year-old Venezuelan mother, and her two young daughters have finally left the U.S. and are back in Venezuela. Perez had been trying to self-deport through the CBP Home app, but faced obstacles like lacking the required Venezuelan government document to board a flight.

Why it matters

Perez's case highlights the challenges many undocumented migrants face when trying to voluntarily leave the U.S., even when they are eager to return home. The U.S. government has claimed millions have self-deported, but data shows the actual numbers are much lower, with many facing bureaucratic hurdles.

The details

Perez made multiple attempts to return to Venezuela, including registering through the CBP Home app, a tool designed to allow migrants to notify officials of their intent to self-deport. However, she says she never received a concrete response. The biggest obstacle turned out to be paperwork, as airline staff denied her boarding last month because she lacked a Venezuelan government document. Determined, Perez and her daughters returned to the airport this past weekend, spending the night to ensure they could finally board the plane after obtaining the required 'safe pass' travel document.

  • Last month, Perez made it to the airline counter at Miami International Airport but was denied boarding.
  • This past weekend, Perez and her daughters returned to the airport and were able to board the plane to Venezuela.

The players

Yelitza Perez

A 29-year-old Venezuelan mother who had been trying for weeks to return home voluntarily with her two young daughters.

Paola

Perez's 9-year-old daughter who was 5 years old when she arrived in the U.S.

Ixchel

Perez's 1-year-old daughter.

CBP Home app

A tool designed by the U.S. government to allow migrants to notify officials of their intent to self-deport.

Department of Homeland Security

The U.S. government agency that has claimed millions of undocumented immigrants have voluntarily left the country, though data shows much lower actual numbers.

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What they’re saying

“Gracias a Dios... llegó el documento,”

— Yelitza Perez, Venezuelan mother

“I'm happy because I'm going to see my family. I really miss them.”

— Paola, Perez's 9-year-old daughter

“Out of those, about 37,000 have received compensation. I've had several clients leave through the app, but only one actually received a payment.”

— Willie Allen, Immigration attorney

What’s next

The Department of Homeland Security said it would need more time to provide details about Perez's specific case after being contacted by CBS News Miami.

The takeaway

Perez's case highlights the bureaucratic hurdles many undocumented migrants face when trying to voluntarily leave the U.S., even when they are eager to return home. The government's claims of millions self-deporting do not match the much lower actual numbers seen in the data.