The deportation of gay Venezuelan makeup artists for asylum prompted protests from the LGBTQ+ community in West Hollywood as city leaders and activists gathered to protest Wednesday night.
Supporters gathered at 31-year-old Andrie Hernandez Romero said he has no criminal history and is spared persecution for a variety of reasons, including his sexuality.
He arrived at the US border at a legal port of entry with a reservation and sought asylum. However, he was detained and detained for several months before being deported and transferred to El Salvador’s largest security prison.
Andrie Hernandez Romero, 31, had sought asylum in the United States, but instead was accidentally taken into custody and later deported to El Salvador’s biggest security prison, his family said. (Romero family) Andrie Hernandez Romero, 31, had sought asylum in the United States, but instead was accidentally taken into custody and later deported to El Salvador’s biggest security prison, his family said. (Romero family) Local leaders and community activists gathered in West Hollywood on April 30, 2025 to protest the deportation of Andrie Hernandez Romero. (KTLA) Local leaders and community activists gathered in West Hollywood on April 30, 2025 to protest Andri Hernandez Romero’s deportation. (KTLA) Local leaders and community activists gathered in West Hollywood on April 30, 2025 to protest Andri Hernandez Romero’s deportation. (KTLA) 31-year-old Andry Hernandez Romero had sought asylum in the United States but instead was accidentally taken into custody and later deported to El Salvador’s biggest security prison, his family said. (Romero family)
The infamous prison, dubbed the Terrorism Confinement Centre, houses some of the world’s most dangerous criminals, including mass murderers and gang members. According to a CNN report, the facility is also known for its uncompromising policies and strict conditions.
The loved one said that Romero was falsely accused of having gang bonds. He and other Venezuelans were deported from the United States after President Trump invoked alien enemy laws and claimed the man was a member of Venezuelan gangster Tren de Aragua.
A loved one said that Romero was deported without a fair hearing. The last time they spoke to him was from a US detention facility on March 14th. After he moved abroad, he hasn’t been heard since.
“A gay Venezuelan man seeking asylum, Andry came to this country with a commitment to safety and dignity,” said Joe Hollendner, CEO of the Los Angeles LGBT Center. “Instead, he encountered detention, dehumanization, and ultimately deportation.”
“This is the most shocking thing I’ve ever seen that happened to our client,” said Lindsey Tozzilovsky, Romero’s lawyer.
His lawyers require US officials to review Romero’s case and act promptly to deal with serious threats to his safety as a gay man living in prisons abroad.
“He suffered as a gay man in an ice prison, an ice prison here in America.
Man detained by federal immigration agents in Pomona
60-minute photojournalist Philip Holsinger visited the El Salvador prison and witnessed Romero as he and a large group of prisoners arrived.
You can hear Romero scream, “I am innocent!” And he was crying because his head was shaved. All prisoners are forced by prison guards to shave their hair before they do so.
“He was slapped every time he spoke,” Holsinger said in the 60th minute. “He started praying, starting to speak, and literally crying for his mother.”
“A terrible denial of his rights, a serious violation of the due process, and the 14th Amendment clause that we are all guaranteed in this country. This should anger and anger us all.”
Community work and local leaders are urging federal officials to return Romero to the United States for a fair hearing. There are reports that Gov. Gavin Newsom is currently involved after he made a direct appeal to the US Department of Homeland Security on behalf of Romero.
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