Arturo Suarez, a Venezuelan who was once a professional singer in the United States, found himself detained and sent to a notorious prison in El Salvador by the Trump administration. Until five weeks ago, Suarez was living legally in the U.S. as he awaited the processing of his asylum claim. Despite entering the country through proper legal channels, Suarez was arrested in March, detained by immigration agents, and flown to El Salvador, where he is now being held at the CECOT prison, notorious for housing gang members.
Suarez’s brother, Nelson, believes his brother’s detention is due to a set of tattoos, rather than any criminal activity. He states that there is no criminal record in Venezuela, Chile, Colombia, or the United States that would justify his detention. The tattoos, including a hummingbird in memory of their late mother, are what Nelson suspects have led to his brother’s wrongful incarceration. According to Nelson, Suarez’s tattoos, which also include symbols of faith and personal memories, may have triggered suspicions about gang affiliation, even though there is no evidence linking him to criminal groups.
Suarez’s case, like many others, is tied to a broader anti-immigration policy pushed by the Trump administration. The White House has alleged that members of the Tren de Aragua gang, based in Venezuela, have infiltrated the United States. Tattoos are often used as evidence to label immigrants as gang members, according to an “Alien Enemy Validation Guide” used by immigration officials. This guide provides a point-based system to assess whether an individual may be affiliated with a gang, and tattoos are one of the most heavily scrutinized markers.
Another individual affected by this policy is Jerce Reyes Barrios, a former footballer from Venezuela who fled his home country after participating in anti-government protests. Reyes Barrios entered the U.S. legally but was detained in a maximum-security prison while awaiting his asylum hearing. He was later deported to El Salvador, where he was also sent to CECOT. The reason for his deportation was based on two pieces of evidence: a tattoo of the Real Madrid logo surrounded by rosary beads, and a photograph from his college years that shows him making a hand gesture interpreted as a gang symbol. His lawyer argues that these pieces of evidence do not prove gang affiliation, and Reyes Barrios has no criminal record.
These cases reflect the severe consequences of policies that associate tattoos with gang membership, even in the absence of concrete evidence. Lawyers and immigrant rights groups are struggling to reach those detained in El Salvador, as the prison operates incommunicado, preventing families from contacting their loved ones. In addition, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has not provided clear responses regarding the situation, leaving families in despair as they wait for any information.
Suarez’s family, along with the families of other detainees, are pushing for a reassessment of these harsh policies. They argue that people like Arturo and Jerce, who have no criminal backgrounds, are being subjected to unjust treatment. The Trump administration’s focus on deporting immigrants, particularly those from countries like Venezuela, has led to numerous cases of individuals being sent to foreign prisons under questionable circumstances.
As the Trump administration continues its hardline stance on immigration, there are growing calls for accountability and a rethinking of policies that use tattoos as a primary indicator of criminal activity. Families like the Suarezs remain hopeful, despite the overwhelming challenges, that their loved ones will eventually be returned home and given a fair opportunity to present their cases.
