BREAKING: Andry Hernndez Romero, gay asylum seeker disappeared by Trump, part of prisoner swap
Source: The Advocate
The gay makeup artist is headed back to Venezuela instead of the U.S., however.
Read more: https://www.advocate.com/news/andry-hernandez-romero-released-venezuela
JULY 18 2025 9:05 PM EST
Andry Hernández-Romero, a gay makeup artist who sought asylum in the U.S. due to persecution in Venezuela but was deported to a prison in El Salvador, has been released as part of a prisoner swap but he's being sent back to Venezuela instead of the U.S.
His release was reported by The Hill. "The Trump administration announced Friday it helped facilitate a prisoner swap, securing the release of 10 U.S. citizens held in Venezuela in exchange for the return of more than 250 Venezuelan men the U.S. had sent to be imprisoned in El Salvador," according to the site.
Hernández Romero entered the U.S. legally in 2024, fleeing anti-LGBTQ+ violence and political persecution.After passing a credible fear interview, he was deported after showing up for an appointment the U.S. government gave him. The Trump administration invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, previously used to incarcerate Japanese Americans during World War II. Officials accused him of gang ties based on crown tattoos above the names of his parents, though his attorneys say he has no criminal record.
more at link

chowder66
(10,982 posts)Aaron Reichlin-Melnick
@reichlinmelnick.bsky.social
Senior Fellow at the American Immigration Council. Commenting generally on immigration law and policy. Retweets =/= endorsements, views are my own
Andry Hernández Romero, the innocent make-up artist imprisoned without trial for 4 months in El Salvador by the Trump admin, is FREE.
— Aaron Reichlin-Melnick (@reichlinmelnick.bsky.social) 2025-07-19T00:55:21.702Z
He was wrongfully accused of being a gang member because of his âmomâ and âdadâ tattoos, and illegally sent to El Salvador without due process.
Deuxcents
(23,106 posts)chowder66
(10,982 posts)intheflow
(29,624 posts)He speaks the language. It wont be easy for him but it will be a million times better than being imprisoned in a high security prison for life for being an immigrant.
mahina
(19,913 posts)May he find justice and may we be forgiven for allowing this grave terrible thing to happen to him.
wolfie001
(5,732 posts)Here's another reason! And his repulsive supporters too. Sick, hate-filled morons.
Polybius
(20,543 posts)Canada maybe?
chowder66
(10,982 posts)intheflow
(29,624 posts)barbtries
(30,602 posts)so sad that he is going back to a place that doesn't want him.
https://www.freeandry.org/
Figarosmom
(7,009 posts)There he could live with. No one mentions the lack of finances or job that these people are suddenly stuck with . Then there are the legal expenses. They could end up living in the streets.
It's like being hit by a hurricane suddenly you have no home, no clothes, no anything.