Andry Hernández Romero, a Venezuelan makeup artist, has been deported back to Venezuela as part of a three-nation exchange program. Romero was originally sent to El Salvador by the Trump administration and detained in a notorious mega-prison known as the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT).

On Friday, Rep. Robert Garcia from California announced on social media that Romero's legal team confirmed his release from CECOT and return to Venezuela. Garcia expressed gratitude for Romero’s safety and highlighted ongoing communication with both the State Department and Romero's legal team to ensure his well-being.

Romero, who is openly gay, fled from Venezuela in the summer of 2024, seeking asylum in the United States. Utilizing a U.S. Customs and Border Protection app, he scheduled an appointment at a border crossing in San Diego. During his crossing, he was questioned regarding his tattoos as part of a screening process aimed at identifying members of the Venezuelan gang called Tren de Aragua.

In his early 20s, Romero has a crown tattooed on each wrist, one accompanied by the word “Mom” and the other by “Dad.” According to his lawyer, these crowns not only symbolize his familial ties but also pay tribute to the Christmastime “Three Kings” festival observed in his hometown and his involvement in beauty pageants where crowns are often awarded.

Despite his insistence that he has no connections to the gang, Romero was placed into Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody and subsequently transferred to a detention center in California. He was ultimately transported to El Salvador, where he was held in CECOT—a facility that has garnered infamy for its treatment of detainees amidst the heightened immigration enforcement policies of the Trump administration.

Romero's deportation took place on July 18, 2025, as part of the larger framework of migrant returns involving collaboration among Venezuela, the United States, and El Salvador. His case underscores the complexities of immigration policy, particularly how individuals seeking safety may encounter severe obstacles and detention in foreign countries.

Overall, the case of Andry Hernández Romero shines a light on the various challenges and dangers faced by migrants, particularly those who belong to vulnerable communities. As policymakers continue to navigate immigration issues, stories like Romero’s remind us of the human impact of such policies.