Fact Check: Andry José Hernández Romero was marked as a gang member 7 years ago

Andry José Hernández Romero: Marked as a Gang Member Seven Years Ago?

Introduction

The claim that Andry José Hernández Romero was marked as a gang member seven years ago has surfaced amid a complex legal and immigration situation involving the deportation of this Venezuelan makeup artist to El Salvador. Reports indicate that Hernández Romero, who sought asylum in the United States, was identified as a gang member by U.S. immigration authorities, leading to his deportation. This claim raises questions about the basis of such allegations and the implications for Hernández Romero's safety and rights.

What We Know

Background: Andry José Hernández Romero is a 31-year-old gay Venezuelan makeup artist who fled Venezuela due to threats related to his sexual orientation and profession. He arrived in the U.S. seeking asylum but was detained by immigration authorities 1 4.
Deportation: In March 2025, Hernández Romero was deported to El Salvador along with 238 other Venezuelan migrants. This deportation was executed under the Alien Enemies Act, which allows for the removal of individuals deemed a threat to national security 2 8.
Gang Affiliation Claims: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reportedly cited Hernández Romero's tattoos as evidence of gang affiliation, specifically linking him to the Tren de Aragua gang. However, the validity of this claim has been contested by his legal representatives, who argue that the tattoos are religious in nature and do not indicate gang membership 6 7 9.
Legal Representation: Hernández Romero's attorneys assert that he was wrongfully identified as a gang member and that his deportation was unjust. They emphasize the lack of a court hearing prior to his removal, which raises significant legal and ethical concerns 4 9.

Analysis

The claim that Hernández Romero was marked as a gang member seven years ago is primarily based on assertions made by ICE, which has faced scrutiny regarding its methods for determining gang affiliation.

Source Reliability: The sources reporting on this case vary in reliability. Major outlets like CBS News and The Guardian provide detailed accounts of the situation, but they also reflect a particular narrative that may influence their presentation of facts. For instance, The Guardian has been known for its critical stance on U.S. immigration policies, which could introduce bias 6 8.
Methodology Concerns: The methodology used by ICE to classify individuals as gang members, particularly based on tattoos, has been criticized. A questionnaire used in correctional facilities to assess gang affiliation reportedly relied heavily on visual indicators, such as tattoos, without substantial corroborating evidence 7. This raises questions about the accuracy and fairness of such assessments.
Conflicting Information: While some sources assert that Hernández Romero's tattoos are indicative of gang affiliation, others, including his legal team, argue that these tattoos are religious symbols. This discrepancy highlights the need for more transparent evidence and a thorough investigation into the claims made by ICE 1 4 9.
Potential Conflicts of Interest: The involvement of government agencies like ICE in this case introduces potential conflicts of interest, as their assessments directly impact the lives of individuals seeking asylum. The agency's past actions and policies have been criticized for lacking due process, which further complicates the credibility of their claims regarding Hernández Romero's gang affiliation 4 8.

What Additional Information Would Be Helpful?

To better understand the validity of the claim regarding Hernández Romero's gang affiliation, further information would be beneficial, including:

Detailed documentation of the criteria used by ICE to determine gang membership.
Independent assessments of Hernández Romero's tattoos by experts in cultural symbolism and gang identification.
Testimonies from individuals familiar with Hernández Romero's background in Venezuela, particularly regarding his community involvement and the nature of his tattoos.
A review of similar cases to identify patterns in ICE's handling of asylum seekers accused of gang affiliation.

Conclusion

Verdict: Partially True

The claim that Andry José Hernández Romero was marked as a gang member seven years ago is partially true, as it is based on assertions made by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) regarding his tattoos. However, the validity of these claims is heavily contested by Hernández Romero's legal representatives, who argue that the tattoos are religious rather than indicative of gang affiliation. The evidence supporting ICE's claims is limited and relies on methodologies that have been criticized for their lack of accuracy and fairness.

It is important to note that while there is some basis for the claim, significant uncertainties remain regarding the evidence used to classify Hernández Romero as a gang member. The conflicting narratives surrounding his tattoos and the lack of due process in his deportation raise serious concerns about the reliability of ICE's assessments.

Readers should be aware of these limitations and critically evaluate the information presented, recognizing that the complexities of immigration cases often involve nuanced and multifaceted issues that require careful consideration of all available evidence.