Pregnant Venezuelan Mother Stuck in U.S. Immigration Limbo While Brazil Guards Mexican Embassy in Peru
Updated (3 articles)
Franyelis’ Journey and Asylum Claim Franyelis (28) and husband Yonquenide entered the United States after a three‑month, $20,000 trek from Venezuela, using the CBP One mobile app to schedule a legal entry and filed an asylum claim in August 2024 at a Manhattan court [1]. Their arrival was documented through the app, which later became unavailable under the new administration. The couple’s two sons were born in the U.S., and Franyelis is now eight months pregnant.
Trump Administration’s Policy Changes Trigger Arrests After the 2024 election, the administration disabled the CBP One scheduling function and revoked Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelans, prompting a surge in ICE activity [1]. ICE detained Yonquenide during a routine court appearance in early 2025 and deported him on one of 76 flights that year, contributing to at least 14,822 Venezuelan arrests—the fourth‑most‑targeted nationality. The policy shift left many migrants without legal pathways to remain in the country.
Voluntary‑Departure Program Leaves Family Without Passport In December 2025 Franyelis petitioned Immigration Judge Jonathan Reingold for voluntary departure, seeking the $2,600 incentive and free flight offered by DHS [1]. Eligibility requires a valid passport, which she cannot obtain because U.S.–Venezuela diplomatic ties have been severed since 2019. A GoFundMe campaign raised roughly $2,100 for basic needs, and she supplements income by babysitting while awaiting a July 2029 hearing, keeping the family in prolonged legal limbo.
Brazil Assumes Control of Mexico’s Embassy After Peru Severed Ties Brazil’s foreign ministry announced on Jan 25 2026 that it is taking over Mexico’s diplomatic interests in Peru, including the embassy building, residence, assets, and files, after Peru cut ties with Mexico over the asylum granted to former Peruvian Prime Minister Betssy Chávez [2]. Brazil’s flag now flies over the premises, and Brazilian officials coordinated the takeover with Peruvian authorities. Chávez, 36, remains under Mexican protection inside the embassy, while Mexico has not commented on Brazil’s intervention.
Sources
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1.
CNN: Pregnant Venezuelan Mother Trapped in U.S. Immigration Crackdown Seeks Self‑Deportation: details Franyelis’ immigration timeline, the Trump‑era policy changes, and her stalled voluntary‑departure request.
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2.
AP: Brazil Takes Over Mexican Embassy in Peru Amid Asylum Dispute: explains Brazil’s assumption of Mexico’s embassy, Peru’s diplomatic break, and Betssy Chávez’s asylum situation.
Primary Data (1)
Timeline
Dec 7, 2022 – Former President Pedro Castillo attempts to dissolve Congress, triggering rebellion charges that later lead to former Prime Minister Betssy Chávez’s 11‑year prison sentence and fuel Peru’s political crisis that underlies the 2026 diplomatic dispute [2].
Aug 2024 – Franyelis (28) and her husband Yonquenide complete a three‑month, $20,000 trek from Venezuela, use the CBP One app to schedule legal entry, and file an asylum claim in Manhattan, beginning their U.S. residency while Venezuelan TPS remains in effect [1].
Nov 2024 – The U.S. presidential election returns Donald Trump to the White House; his administration promptly disables the CBP One scheduling function and revokes TPS for Venezuelans, prompting a surge in ICE arrests of Venezuelan migrants [1].
Dec 2024 – Jakelin Pasedo (39) and her two sons arrive in Miami, receive refugee status, and settle in a motel while her husband Antonio Laverde stays in Venezuela, setting the stage for later family separation [3].
Early 2025 – ICE agents seize Yonquenide during a routine court appearance, add him to the 14,822 Venezuelans arrested that year, and place him on one of 76 deportation flights that return him to Caracas [1].
June 2025 – Antonio Laverde is arrested, detained for three months, and then deported to Venezuela; Edgar is deported to Guatemala on June 8, and Yaoska’s husband is removed after failing a credible‑fear interview, illustrating a wave of family separations despite the post‑Trump era [3].
Dec 2025 – Franyelis petitions Immigration Judge Jonathan Reingold for voluntary departure of herself and her two sons, but she lacks a passport because U.S.–Venezuela diplomatic ties have been severed since 2019, leaving her ineligible for the DHS program that offers $2,600 and free flights [1].
Nov 3, 2025 – Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum grants asylum to former Peruvian Prime Minister Betssy Chávez, who moves into the Mexican embassy in Lima under police guard, intensifying Peru’s claim of foreign interference [2].
Jan 2026 – Peru severs diplomatic relations with Mexico, labels Sheinbaum’s asylum decision “interference,” and declares her persona non grata, escalating regional tensions and prompting Mexico’s diplomatic staff withdrawal in November [2].
Jan 25, 2026 – Brazil’s foreign ministry assumes control of Mexico’s embassy in Lima, flies its flag over the building, and announces it will guard the premises after coordinating with Peruvian authorities, filling the diplomatic vacuum created by Peru’s cut ties [2].
July 2029 – Franyelis’ next immigration hearing is scheduled, extending her legal limbo for four more years while her family relies on community aid and a GoFundMe that has raised about $2,100 for basic needs [1].
All related articles (3 articles)
External resources (14 links)
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- https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/fact-sheet/cbp-one-overview/ (cited 1 times)
- https://www.gofundme.com/f/ice-took-my-husband-help-me-support-my-family-legal-aid (cited 1 times)
- https://www.unrefugees.org/news/venezuela-crisis-explained/ (cited 1 times)