Deported gay makeup artist faces prison hell in El Salvador
- Andry Hernandez Romero, a gay Venezuelan makeup artist, was deported to El Salvador on March 15, 2025.
- He was one of 238 Venezuelan migrants sent to a maximum-security prison notorious for human rights violations.
- The deportation has raised significant concerns about the safety of these individuals and the legality of the government's actions.
In March 2025, Andry Hernandez Romero, a 31-year-old gay makeup artist from Venezuela, was deported to El Salvador. He was one of 238 Venezuelan migrants who were removed from the U.S. after seeking asylum due to persecution for his sexual orientation and political views. Upon arrival at a notorious prison known for human rights violations, Romero was subjected to degrading treatment, including having his head shaved while pleading for his mother's presence. Although he had no criminal record, U.S. officials used his tattoos and social media posts as evidence to link him to gang affiliations, leading to his deportation. Several lawyers are actively contesting the legitimacy of these claims and the overall deportation process, which was conducted under the Trump administration's authority without the migrants receiving proper court hearings. The decision to deport these individuals has sparked considerable debate regarding their safety and the legality of the deportations under wartime authority invoked by the administration. Questions remain about the legality of the administration's actions, the conditions faced by the deported individuals, and whether they will ever have the opportunity to reunite with their families.