Hundreds of thousands of Venezuelan migrants in the United States are unable to return home because they lack valid passports. Many had their documents confiscated upon entry under federal policy aimed at expediting deportations, leaving them unable to board flights back to Venezuela. Nearly 700,000 Venezuelans have arrived in the US since 2019, creating a massive backlog for travel document processing.

Venezuelan authorities require valid passports or government-issued travel permits for air entry, but these can only be obtained in Caracas or overwhelmed consulates in Latin America. The Venezuelan Embassy in Washington remains closed to the public, and no consulates operate in the US to issue documents. Some desperate migrants have risked dangerous boat journeys through Panama, with authorities reporting over 20,000 people taking this route since President Trump returned to office.

While the US and Venezuela have restored diplomatic ties following the capture of President Maduro, consular services remain suspended. Critics argue both governments are moving too slowly to address the crisis. The State Department says Venezuelan officials' arrival in Washington marks progress toward restoring relations, but basic consular services have yet to resume. For migrants like Yoalbert González, who had his passport confiscated and now holds a travel permit, the bureaucratic maze continues to block their path home despite their desire to leave voluntarily.