Rallies held for gay Venezuelan makeup artist deported to El Salvador

Rallies have been held across California for a gay Venezuelan makeup artist, Andry Romero, who has been deported to El Salvador under the US government’s crackdown on alleged gang members.Almost 200 campaigners came together on Saturday (26 April) in The Castro, San Francisco, to rally for the release of Andry José Hernández Romero. The 31-year-old makeup artist and hairdresser sought asylum in the US and is currently detained in a supermax prison in El Salvador, known as CECOT.

A recent rally held by LGBTQ+ leaders and advocates in West Hollywood also demanded that he be returned safely to the US. Controversial podcaster Joe Rogan has also unexpectedly come to Romero’s defence. In response to his deportation, West Hollywood Mayor Chelsea Byers highlighted the city’s commitment as “a safe place for marginalised individuals” and expressed solidarity with Romeo and others, “whose dignity is threatened by unjust systems”.



Campaigners have rallied together for Romero’s safe return to the US. (Los Angeles LGBT Center)US immigration officers detained Romero in August 2024 after he crossed the southern border to attend a prearranged asylum appointment in San Diego, California. Romero fled from Venezuela after facing threats for being a member of the LGBTQ+ community and sought safety in the US.

Romero followed legal proceedings to request refuge in the US, but was detained for over six months in the US before being flown on 15 March 2025 to the Terrorism Confinement Centre in El Salvador, as part of President Donald Trump’s mass deportation plan As per The Guardian, his crown tattoos over the words “mum” and “dad” were deemed as proof that he was a member of Venezuela’s infamous Tren de Aragua, and a “security threat” to the US.“Detainee Hernandez ports [sic] tattoos ‘crowns’ that are consistent with those of a Tren de Aragua member,” an agent at California’s Otay Mesa detention centre claimed, court documents published this week read. As per CBS News, upon arrival at the facility, Romero shouted, “I’m innocent” and “I’m gay”, and cried as his head was shaved.

Romero was flown on 15 March 2025 to the Terrorism Confinement Centre in El Salvador. (El Salvador Presidency / Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images)Reports claim that Romero is unable to contact his family, while the outlet reports that unsolicited talking and eye contact with guards is generally not allowed. Inmates are made to sleep on metal slab bunks with no pillows or blankets.

Photojournalist Phillip Holsinger told the outlet, “There are no books. There’s no television..

. zero outside communication. Nothing goes out.

Nothing comes in. There’s 24-hour surveillance.” Activists, legal advocates and officials have demanded that ICE and Homeland Security immediately step in to bring Romero back to the US and review his asylum case.

Further rallies are being organised, and the Los Angeles LGBT Centre and Immigrant Defenders Law Centre are continuing to provide Romero with legal support.If this story has affected you, head to Freedom For Immigrants for resources for people facing detention or risk of deportation, their families and loved ones, and advocates. Para estos recursos en español haga clic aqui.

You can also call the Family Support line at 209-757-3733 Monday-Friday from 8 am – 2 pm PT / 11 am to 5 pm ET. The post Rallies held for gay Venezuelan makeup artist deported to El Salvador appeared first on PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news..