Removal of LGBTQ asylum seekers under the Alien Enemies Act: Andry Hernández Romero sent to CECOT
- Date
- Actor
- DHS/ICE; Department of State (removal operations)
- Agency
- Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
- Type
- Enforcement/investigation (removal-policy application)
Summary
Andry Hernández Romero, a gay Venezuelan makeup artist with a pending affirmative asylum claim based on sexual orientation and political opinion, was removed on the March 15, 2025 Alien Enemies Act flights to El Salvador's CECOT mega-prison; DHS relied on his tattoos as purported Tren de Aragua indicia. His removal — without resolution of his asylum case — became the emblematic application of the expanded deportation programs to LGBTQ asylum seekers; advocacy organizations documented other LGBTQ asylum seekers expelled to third countries (including February 2025 flights to Panama) during the same period. He reported beatings and sexual assault by prison staff during 125 days at CECOT.
Status
Hernández Romero was released to Venezuela July 18, 2025 in a prisoner exchange; he filed a Federal Tort Claims Act claim against the U.S. government in March 2026 and, having left Venezuela in February 2026, has an asylum application pending in Spain. The underlying Alien Enemies Act removal program remains in litigation (see section 10).
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