A few days after voluntarily leaving the United States, a Colombian immigrant mother reported that the federal program she used to self-deport, CBP Home, did not fulfill its promises. Yarlidis Goez stated that she left the country with her children, trusting that she would receive financial support and clear guidance, something she claims never happened. The decision to voluntarily leave the United States: According to Goez's account to Telemundo, she resided in Tucson, Arizona, and decided to self-deport on December 2nd with her four children, including two babies born in the United States. She was motivated by fear of family separation following her husband's deportation in January of this year. The woman, who had lived in the U.S. for over three years, presented herself to immigration authorities and followed the procedure to leave the country under the CBP Home program. She recounted that she left after turning herself in at ICE offices and boarding a flight to Colombia. Goez explained that she made this decision expecting to receive the support offered by the program, trusting that it was a transparent process backed by the federal government.

The Promised Payment That Never Arrived

According to official DHS information, the CBP Home program states that people who self-deport can receive logistical assistance and a $1,000 stipend. However, Goez stated that, despite complying with every step, she never received that payment.

From Colombia, she asserted that the money would have been crucial to cover her children's basic needs, including medical and housing expenses. According to her testimony, after arriving in her country, she tried to contact the authorities through emails, calls, and the program's mobile application, but received no response or updates on her case.

The Immigration Sanction She Claims to Have Been Unaware Of

In addition to not receiving the promised stipend,Goez maintains that she was never informed that her voluntary departure would result in a 10-year ban on re-entering the United States. According to her statement to Telemundo, she was told at the time of enrolling in the program that there would be no additional immigration consequences. The woman asserted that she only learned of this penalty after leaving the country, which directly impacted her future plans and the possibility of reuniting with family members who remain in the United States. Yarlidis Goez's story has raised concerns among immigrant rights advocates, who warn that many people accept self-deportation without receiving complete information about the long-term legal consequences. According to Telemundo, specialists indicate that these programs require greater clarity and monitoring by the authorities.