Outrage over Donald Trump administration deporting gay makeup artist to El Salvador prison for crown tattoos

Andry José Hernández Romero, a gay Venezuelan makeup artist, has been sent by the US to a maximum security prison in El Salvador as part of Donald Trump-led administration’s mass deportation campaign. This was majorly due to ‘crown’ tattoos on his wrists that allegedly proved him to be a notorious gang member.

The 31-year-old, who fled his home country in a bid to escape persecution for his sexual orientation as well as political beliefs, was detained at the Mexico-US border in August last year when he crossed over to take part in a pre-arranged asylum appointment in San Diego, California, The Guardian reported.

What happened?

Earlier, Hernández told the US immigration officers that he was fleeing persecution due to his sexual orientation. This happened after Venezuela’s authoritarian leader Nicolás Maduro unleashed crackdown and was widely accused of stealing the July 2024 election mandate to continue his rule.


However, the tattoos on Hernández’s wrist were taken as proof of him being a member of Tren de Aragua, one of Venezuela’s most notorious gangs, and also a “security threat” to the US.

“Detainee Hernandez sports tattoos ‘crowns’ that are consistent with those of a Tren de Aragua member,” The Guardian quoted an agent at California’s Otay Mesa detention centre as claiming in the court documents that were published earlier this week.

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On March 15, Hernández was among the large number of Venezuelans who were taken from Texas to a prison in El Salvador. Prior to this, he remained in custody in the US for over 15 months.

Some of these detainees were even paraded before the cameras and were seen getting manhandled by the guards, besides getting their heads shaved.

Protests

Those who know the Venezuelan stylist, including his family and friends, have now claimed that he has never committed a crime.

Alexis Dolores Romero de Hernández, mother of the artist, urged authorities to "let my son go," and even sought a review of his case file, claiming that he is "not a gang member”.

The 65-year-old added that there are "many people" out there who have such crowns inked on their body. But it does not mean that all of them were involved in the Tren de Aragua, she said and added that her son has "never had problems with the law”.

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In Táchira, the western state where the young artist grew up, has witnessed protests by several people, especially at the 19th century church, San Pedro de la Independencia.

Miguel Chacón, president of Capacho’s Three Kings Day foundation, said most of the Capacheros have crown tattoos and often add the name of their father or mother to it.

"We’ve lots of people with these tattoos – it’s a tradition that began in 1917,” Chacón said.

FAQs

1. Will the Donald Trump administration reconsider its decision?
As of now, there is no sign or indication regarding the same, despite sending many Venezuelans to El Salvador on "flimsy" evidence.

2. When was Andry José Hernández Romero detained?
He was detained by the US authorities in August last year.