Tattoos Misinterpreted as Gang Indicators for Venezuelan Migrants in El Salvador
Venezuelan migrants are being labeled as gang members due to tattoos, leading to wrongful deportations. Families argue against these mislabelings, stating their loved ones have no criminal histories. US authorities have not substantiated claims of gang affiliations associated with the tattoos, raising concerns about due process. Former President Trump defended the deportation process, while families seek legal aid to secure the release of those wrongly classified.
Tattoos are reportedly leading to wrongful labeling of Venezuelan migrants as gang members and terrorists by Salvadoran authorities. Lawyers and relatives of these migrants argue that tattoos are being misinterpreted as indicators of gang affiliation. Jhon Chacin, arrested for illegal entry into the US, was later found among deported individuals classified as members of Tren de Aragua, a group deemed a terrorist organization by US law.
Jhon’s sister, Yuliana, insists he was unfairly labeled a criminal due to his tattoos, stating he had no prior arrests. Similarly, Edwuar Hernandez Herrera, a 23-year-old migrant, was detained after traveling from Venezuela and also possesses tattoos honoring his family. His mother argues that these tattoos should not define his character.
US authorities have not provided sufficient evidence to substantiate claims that all deported individuals are connected to Tren de Aragua. Inside a court document, an ICE official noted many of the deported men had no criminal backgrounds, as they were new arrivals in the US. Despite this, DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin mentioned that tattoos are part of the evidence linking individuals, including professional soccer player Jerce Reyes Barrios, to the gang.
Legal representatives like Linette Tobin argue that Reyes’ tattoos are often misinterpreted, highlighting that having a crown tattoo, akin to Real Madrid’s logo, should not qualify him for gang affiliation. Additionally, reports from Texas outlined tattoos associated with gang membership in Tren de Aragua, although experts like Ronna Risquez contradict this, stating tattoos aren’t culturally recognized indicators of gang allegiance among Venezuelans.
Former President Trump has previously associated tattoos with gang activity and has defended the vetting process for deported migrants, assuring of ongoing investigations into any misidentifications. Venezuelan authorities are now engaging legal aid in El Salvador to assist with the release of the wrongly categorized migrants, emphasizing the plight of many who have fled Venezuela amid severe economic and political turmoil. An estimated eight million Venezuelans have left their country, with around 770,000 residing in the US under protective statuses that have recently been rescinded by the previous administration.
The situation highlights the complexities of labeling individuals based on physical appearance, particularly tattoos. Families of Venezuelan migrants express concern over wrongful deportations linked to the misinterpretation of tattoos as gang affiliations. With a lack of substantial evidence from US authorities supporting such claims, the case of these deported migrants raises questions about due process and the potential for systemic biases in deportation practices.
Original Source: www.kten.com
