Venezuelan in the U.S.: "I Never Thought Requesting Voluntary Departure Would Leave Me with an Ankle Monitor"

"I regret asking for voluntary departure. I thought that by requesting it, I could close my cases and leave peacefully, avoiding this entire ordeal," expressed Sáymar, a young Venezuelan migrant. She shared her story on social media after asking for voluntary departure from the United States and ending up with an electronic ankle monitor. "I never imagined that asking for voluntary departure would result in this," she stated in a video posted on her TikTok account @saymarguerrero. In the video, she explained how a visit to an immigration office to retrieve her passport led to numerous obstacles in leaving the country.

"I asked for voluntary departure to leave with my passport instead of traveling with a travel document. Now I have to obtain a travel document because immigration lost my passport," she lamented. A judge granted her 120 days to exit the country, during which she must wear the monitor. "I have 120 days to leave the country due to my voluntary departure, during which I must wear this monitor," she recounted. "It feels humiliating to wear the monitor because people view you as an outcast. It feels like house arrest, and people look at me as if I’ve committed a crime," she added. "I now wear loose pants to hide the monitor because I’m embarrassed by the stares."

This latest video follows her initial public outcry, where she described visiting immigration to retrieve her passport only to leave with a monitor despite having a U.S.-born child. At that time, she said, "Today I went to immigration to get my passport and ended up with a monitor, and the worst part is I was forced to wear it."

Immigration Context

Sáymar's story unfolds as the U.S. government promotes the CBP Home application, designed for irregular immigrants to voluntarily declare their intention to leave the country. According to recent data, about 2,500 individuals have registered on this platform since its inception. Initiated under Donald Trump's administration, the program is pitched as an alternative to forced deportation. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has stated that the app allows migrants to "self-deport" while retaining the chance to return legally in the future. However, migrant rights organizations have cautioned about the legal and practical implications for those who choose this route.

Social Media Reactions

Sáymar’s videos have sparked heated discussions online. Some users criticized her choice to request voluntary departure, suggesting she could have simply purchased a ticket and left. "You just needed to buy your ticket and leave normally," commented one user. Another questioned, "Why not sue immigration for losing your passport?"

Critics also pointed out her change in stance regarding asylum. "Weren’t you the one who applied for asylum and now you’re withdrawing?" someone asked. Sáymar responded, "You don't know the reasons for requesting departure, so don't comment." Many shared similar experiences. "I wore the monitor for eight months, including four months of pregnancy," wrote one woman. Another added, "I have it for a year and I'm pregnant."

Some noted inconsistencies: "Weren’t you picking up your passport? Now it’s because of voluntary departure," to which Sáymar clarified, "You're misunderstanding. I already had voluntary departure. I went to get the passport first because the judge who granted my voluntary departure required it."

She also addressed those implying she aimed to avoid expenses: "God, people love to talk without knowing. I have my tickets purchased. If you don't know the context, don't comment."

In a subsequent video, Sáymar is seen packing her belongings. The text reads, "Packing because it's time to return," followed by, "Thank you, United States, for the opportunity, but we are no longer welcome. My reasons for returning outweigh staying."