BREAKING: Andry Hernndez Romero, gay asylum seeker disappeared by Trump, part of prisoner swap [View all]

Source: The Advocate

The gay makeup artist is headed back to Venezuela instead of the U.S., however.

Read more: https://www.advocate.com/news/andry-hernandez-romero-released-venezuela

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JULY 18 2025 9:05 PM EST
Andry Hernández-Romero, a gay makeup artist who sought asylum in the U.S. due to persecution in Venezuela but was deported to a prison in El Salvador, has been released as part of a prisoner swap — but he's being sent back to Venezuela instead of the U.S.

His release was reported by The Hill. "The Trump administration announced Friday it helped facilitate a prisoner swap, securing the release of 10 U.S. citizens held in Venezuela in exchange for the return of more than 250 Venezuelan men the U.S. had sent to be imprisoned in El Salvador," according to the site.

Hernández Romero entered the U.S. legally in 2024, fleeing anti-LGBTQ+ violence and political persecution.After passing a credible fear interview, he was deported after showing up for an appointment the U.S. government gave him. The Trump administration invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, previously used to incarcerate Japanese Americans during World War II. Officials accused him of gang ties based on crown tattoos above the names of his parents, though his attorneys say he has no criminal record.

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