Andry Hernandez Romero grew up in a small Venezuelan town, where he found his passion for theater, costume design, and makeup during the annual Three Kings Day festival. His friend Reina Cardenas recalls how he would create and sew his own costumes and do makeup for the women in the parade. As a tribute to this cherished festival, Andry had crowns tattooed on his wrists.
Sadly, those very tattoos led to his deportation under the Trump administration. He was among many Venezuelan men sent to a prison in El Salvador without a court hearing, raising serious legal concerns that have even reached the Supreme Court. This situation is drawing criticism and has stirred discussions about the risks of a constitutional crisis in the U.S.
For Andry’s family, his deportation has been heart-wrenching. His mother, Dolores, often wonders about his well-being. “I think about him every day; I cry about him every day,” she said, expressing worry about how he is treated in detention.
Originally from Capacho, Andry participated passionately in the town’s vibrant Three Kings Day celebrations, meeting friends like Cardenas along the way. He later moved to Caracas to work as a makeup artist for a TV station but faced discrimination for his sexual orientation and his opposition to the government. In May, hoping for a better life, he arrived in the U.S. and applied for asylum.
Andry entered legally through a designated port of entry, seeking asylum. However, he ended up in detention due to the crowns on his wrists, which officials wrongly associated with a notorious Venezuelan gang called Tren de Aragua. Experts like Ronna Rísquez, a journalist who studies the gang, clarify that tattoos don’t necessarily signify gang membership. “You can have a tattoo and not belong to the gang,” she explains.
Jose Manuel Mora, a tattoo artist and friend from Capacho, highlighted how popular crown tattoos were during that time, stating, “Between 2017 and 2019, I did about 60 crown tattoos just for people from our small town.” These tattoos held special meaning for Andry and were far from any gang connection.
Despite having a pro bono lawyer, Andry missed a crucial court hearing and was later found to have been removed to El Salvador. His lawyer, Lindsay Toczylowski, expressed deep concern, stating, “This is unprecedented.” The lack of access to Andry raises questions about the legality of the process.
The Biden administration’s CBP One program originally allowed Andry to enter the U.S. legally, contrasting sharply with the treatment he received after his arrival. A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson claimed Andry’s social media suggested gang ties, but a review of his accounts found no evidence to support this.
Andry’s situation has not just captured the hearts of his family but also drawn support from unexpected figures like podcaster Joe Rogan, who called the deportation “a horrible mistake.” Meanwhile, Cardenas and others close to Andry constantly worry about how he might be treated due to his sexual orientation, a concern compounded by the climate in El Salvador.
As the legal battles continue, Andry’s story sheds light on the complex realities of immigration, discrimination, and the impact of tattoos—a personal choice that now carries unintended consequences. For many, it highlights the urgent need for reforms and a more compassionate approach to those seeking safety and a new life.
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