Released gay asylum seeker details prison abuse after unjust deportation
Andry Hernández Romero, the Venezuelan gay makeup artist who sought asylum in the U.S., has returned to Venezuela after being controversially deported to El Salvador’s notorious CECOT prison, where he alleges enduring horrific sexual and physical abuse. His case garnered international attention as he was among migrants sent to CECOT under the U.S. “Alien Enemies Act” despite having active asylum claims, prompting human rights advocates and U.S. officials to raise concerns about his disappearance and the dire conditions within the facility. Following his release as part of a prisoner exchange, Hernández Romero is now speaking out about the “torture and death” he experienced, intensifying calls for accountability regarding human rights abuses in Salvadoran detention facilities, especially for vulnerable individuals.
Numerous LGBTQ+ and immigrant rights advocates, including U.S. Representative Robert Garcia, vigorously campaigned for his release, raising alarms about his safety and the profound violations of his rights.
While his release from the brutal CECOT prison is undoubtedly a major relief, advocates express deep concern about his return to Venezuela, the very country he initially fled due to persecution. They emphasize that throughout this entire ordeal, his fundamental due process rights were continuously denied. His long-term safety and his ability to re-seek asylum remain critical points of concern for his legal team and human rights organizations.
