Janeth and her family shared their story with Kentucky Refugee Ministries and granted us permission to share. They are among the thousands of refugees who will remain separated from their families due to the suspension of the US Refugee Admission Program. The photo they included as part of their story was the last family photo they took take before resettlement.

It is a pleasure for us to share our testimony regarding our case:

My name is Janeth Quero, and my life, as well as the life of our family, changed profoundly when we decided to leave Venezuela in search of a better future. That is how we arrived in Colombia, seeking refuge and safety. There, amidst uncertainty and displacement, we found a bit of peace, but at the same time, we knew it was not the place where we wanted to stay permanently due to its insecurity and lack of opportunities.

After some time in Colombia, we decided that the best option for our family was to try to reach the United States safely and legally, in pursuit of better opportunities and stability. When we began the process of emigrating to the United States through the Safe Mobility program, our daughter also registered for the refugee program along with her partner, hoping that we could reunite here. Thanks to God and the Refugee program, we arrived safely in this country, and just as we were filled with hope for a better future, we encountered the measures and restrictions of the new Government Administration. We received the difficult news that our daughter’s case could not be processed because the Safe Mobility initiative was no longer active, even though she had met all the requirements.

The pain of leaving our daughter behind was immense; our hearts were divided between two countries.

Since receiving this news and seeing the daily reports in the media, our fears have been constant. We live with the fear of being deported, the anguish of not knowing what will happen to our future, and the uncertainty of not being able to reunite with our daughter, who remains in Colombia, far from us. Not knowing when we will see her again or if she will ever be able to join us in this country consumes us every day. This constant fear of being separated from our daughter and her partner, of not being able to bring them to the United States, is something that stays with us at all times. But, despite all of this, we continue to fight with the hope that our sacrifice will not be in vain and that, someday, our family will be reunited, safe, and building a new future together.

We hope that the Refugee program and the Safe Mobility initiative will continue to provide help and hope to more refugee families and that God will continue to bless you in this valuable work.

Sincerely,

Janeth Quero Zarraga and Family 

You can support refugees like Janeth and her family. Visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/donate-to-provide-critical-aid-to-refugees-in-nky.