Overview

• Andry Romero, a gay Venezuelan makeup artist, remains detained in El Salvador's CECOT supermax prison after being deported by U.S. authorities in March 2025.
• Romero sought asylum in the U.S. after fleeing Venezuela due to threats targeting him as a member of the LGBTQ+ community but was accused of gang affiliation based on his tattoos.
• Experts dispute U.S. immigration officials' claims that Romero's tattoos signify membership in the Tren de Aragua gang, stating the gang does not use tattoos as markers.
• Romero's legal team, alongside the ACLU, has filed a habeas petition in federal court challenging his detention and the evidence used to justify his deportation.
• LGBTQ+ advocates, including figures like Joe Rogan, have organized rallies in San Francisco and West Hollywood, urging U.S. authorities to review Romero's case and secure his return.