In light of the political and economic turmoil causing more than 7.3 million Venezuelans to seek refuge elsewhere, the story of 19-year-old Yolexi Cubillan— a Venezuelan asylum-seeker encountering numerous hurdles in an attempt to secure governmental assistance for her U.S.-born son, Derick—stands out.
Yolexi and Derick are two among over 13,500 migrants in Chicago struggling with the overloaded social service system. Bureaucratic turmoil hampers government-involved nonprofits aiming to provide migrant assistance, a struggle rooted largely in understaffing and insufficient resources, reports the Chicago Tribune.
Yolexi's journey to obtain necessary paperwork for Derick hasn’t been smooth, characterized by miscommunications and setbacks. Despite traveling over 4,000 miles and giving birth in a Chicago hospital, assuring a secure future for her son remains an uphill battle, according to Brunswick News.
Her primary obstacle is acquiring Derick's birth certificate, vital for obtaining a passport and related benefits. Without adequate identification to facilitate this process, Yolexi confronts a convoluted bureaucracy, complicated by her need to acclimate to life in the United States and her responsibilities as a first-time mother.
Not having an active Venezuelan consulate in the U.S. adds another layer to the challenges faced by Yolexi and other Venezuelan migrants. Angela Wright Madison, Cook County’s director of vital records, stated, "The biggest challenge for us is with the country of Venezuela. Migrants from other countries can seek assistance from their respective consulate offices here in the United States"
Similarly, Valentina Cartaya, another Venezuelan migrant mother, was denied services from the vital records office due to lacking identification. This, unfortunately, is a widespread problem amongst Venezuelan migrants seeking to create a stable environment for their families, as mentioned by the Chicago Tribune.
Yolexi remains intent in ensuring a better future for her son, despite these barriers. She is keenly aware of the struggles faced by many undocumented immigrants like herself. Eréndira Rendón, vice president of immigrant justice at Resurrection Project, underlined the larger issue plaguing migrants: “It’s a frustrating situation many folks are in, not just Venezuelans."
