Venezuelans in Chicago Struggle to Return Home Amid Diplomatic Tensions

Broken ties between the U.S. and Venezuela make it nearly impossible for many immigrants to obtain travel documents and secure flights back to their home country.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 7:40pm

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Countless Venezuelan immigrants in Chicago want to return to their home country, but have been unable to because of the broken diplomatic ties and bureaucratic hurdles between the U.S. and Venezuela. With no direct flights, Venezuelan passports and other vital travel documents nearly impossible to obtain, and the U.S. embassy in Caracas only recently reopened, Venezuelans are finding it harder to leave the U.S. than it was to enter.

Why it matters

The inability of Venezuelans to easily return home highlights the human toll of the strained relations between the U.S. and Venezuela, leaving many immigrants in legal and financial limbo as they are unable to reunite with family or rebuild their lives back in their home country.

The details

Venezuelans like Yessica Torres and her family have downloaded the CBP Home app, which promised free flights and exit bonuses for immigrants without legal status who want to self-deport. But after months of waiting, the app has failed to follow through, leaving Torres and others in Chicago unable to obtain the necessary travel documents or secure flights. Some have resorted to using private agencies to obtain a 'salvoconducto' temporary travel document, but this process is complex, expensive, and not always reliable.

  • In June 2025, Torres downloaded the CBP Home app and was told she would receive a free flight and exit bonus to return to Venezuela.
  • In July 2025, Torres' planned flight back to Venezuela was unsuccessful.
  • In November 2022, Asmeryi Pereda self-deported to Venezuela using the CBP Home app, but has not received the promised exit bonus four months later.

The players

Yessica Torres

A 34-year-old Venezuelan immigrant living in Chicago with her partner and two young children, who downloaded the CBP Home app hoping to receive free flights and an exit bonus to return to Venezuela, but has been left waiting.

Danilo Sansonetti

A Venezuelan native who opened a private agency in Chicago to help his compatriots navigate the process of obtaining a 'salvoconducto' temporary travel document required to fly back to Venezuela.

Asmeryi Pereda

A 23-year-old Venezuelan immigrant in Chicago who self-deported to Venezuela with her two young children using the CBP Home app, but has not received the promised exit bonus.

Jose Morales

The vice president of the board of the Illinois Venezuelan Alliance, an organization that assists Venezuelan immigrants.

Jennifer Ibañez Whitlock

The senior policy counsel at the National Immigration Law Center, who has found the CBP Home app unreliable in assisting travelers without passports.

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What they’re saying

“There shouldn't be so much paperwork, so many permits to leave. If that's what they want — that we leave.”

— Yessica Torres

“They left the country not looking for anything other than stability and peace. Now, they are returning back, in part, 'because of the persecution by this government'.”

— Jose Morales, Vice President of the Board, Illinois Venezuelan Alliance

“If they want them to leave, why can't they figure out a way to allow people to leave?”

— Beth Brown, Founder, Faith Community Initiative

“Most of the immigrants say that despite using the app, they have not received promised financial assistance and the travel arrangements.”

— Jose Morales, Vice President of the Board, Illinois Venezuelan Alliance

“I would say that not a single person I've helped return has received any of that money. Once they leave, they can't make any claims. They're already gone.”

— Danilo Sansonetti, Owner, Private Travel Agency

What’s next

The U.S. and Venezuelan governments will need to work to restore diplomatic relations and reopen consular services in order to provide Venezuelans in the U.S. with a clear and reliable pathway to return home.

The takeaway

The plight of Venezuelans in Chicago who want to return home highlights the human toll of the strained relations between the U.S. and Venezuela, leaving many immigrants in legal and financial limbo. Without a functioning diplomatic relationship and consular services, Venezuelans are facing significant barriers to reuniting with their families and rebuilding their lives back in their home country.