Gay Venezuelan makeup artist among hundreds deported without due process

Summary

U.S. immigration authorities deported Andrys, a 23-year-old gay Venezuelan makeup artist, to El Salvador’s CECOT prison without due process, despite a court order blocking his removal. Authorities falsely accused him of gang affiliation based on tattoos.

Andrys, seeking asylum, was sent to the notorious 40,000-capacity prison, where detainees face harsh conditions and lack legal recourse.

His lawyer, Lindsay Toczylowski, expressed concern for his safety and criticized the forced deportation as a human rights violation.

El Salvador’s president celebrated the deportation deal, which grants $6 million annually from the U.S.