Andry José Hernández Romero
Synopsis
Andry José Hernández Romero is a Venezuelan makeup artist who came to the United States in 2024 seeking asylum from anti-LGBTQ persecution and opposition to Venezuela's authoritarian government. The American Immigration Council profiled his case as an example of how flimsy gang allegations sent innocent people to CECOT. After scheduling an asylum appointment through CBP One and passing a credible fear interview, Hernández Romero awaited immigration court proceedings. The Council and a New Yorker investigation cited by the Council report that ICE deemed him a Tren de Aragua member because tattoos reading "mom" and "dad" on his wrists each had a small crown above them. His family explained the crowns honored his hometown's Three Kings Day festival, not gang affiliation. He had no criminal record. On March 15, 2025, he was deported to CECOT without a hearing on the government's gang allegations. Immigration Judge Paula Dixon later dismissed his asylum case in May 2025 while he remained imprisoned incommunicado in El Salvador. Reporting indicates he was released through a U.S.–Venezuela prisoner exchange on July 18, 2025. TIMELINE 2024 — Enters the United States through CBP One to seek asylum; passes credible fear screening (Sen. Schiff letter, Immigrant Defenders Law Center). March 15, 2025 — Deported to CECOT in El Salvador with hundreds of other men under Alien Enemies Act operations (Immigration Council, Immigrant Defenders). May 27, 2025 — Immigration judge dismisses his asylum proceedings at DHS request while he remains at CECOT (Immigrant Defenders Law Center). July 18, 2025 — Released from CECOT in a U.S.–Venezuela prisoner exchange (NILC, American Immigration Council). This profile summarizes published reporting; legal status and location may change.
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