Andry Hernández Romero, a gay Venezuelan makeup artist, finds solace in Spain, far from the torment of El Salvador’s Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT). The echoes of his imprisonment still linger, triggered by the mere sight of police equipment. His journey from a detainee to an advocate highlights the enduring impact of wrongful imprisonment and the power of resilience.
In March 2026, Hernández Romero was among 252 Venezuelan men deported to CECOT under the Trump administration’s invocation of the Alien Enemies Act. Despite never being charged with a crime in the United States, he spent 125 days in one of the world’s most infamous prisons. His story gained international attention, shedding light on the flawed evidence used to label men as gang members.
The Trauma of Wrongful Imprisonment
Hernández Romero’s tattoos, which honor his parents, were misconstrued as evidence of gang affiliation. This misjudgment led to his deportation and subsequent imprisonment. The trauma of his experience continues to shape his daily life, despite finding relative safety in Spain. “I’m in a safe place,” he said, “But this bitter experience isn’t going to disappear overnight.”
The psychological wounds run deep. Ordinary encounters can trigger memories of incarceration, and the sight of uniforms or handcuffs can transport him back to the routines that governed daily life inside CECOT. “You end up developing a fear of security agents,” he admitted. This fear is a constant reminder of the injustice he endured.
Advocacy and the Power of Visibility
Hernández Romero’s phone is a constant reminder of the people he left behind. Messages from former detainees and their families flood his inbox daily. “They ask for advice. They ask for help. They ask for visibility,” he said. These messages drive his advocacy work, as he feels an obligation to keep telling their stories.
His activism extends beyond the Venezuelan men deported to CECOT. He advocates for LGBTQ+ immigrants currently navigating the U.S. detention system. “The LGBTQ+ community right now has many people in detention centers who are being treated unfairly,” he said. Hernández Romero described knowing of a same-sex couple in immigration detention, expressing concern about one partner living with HIV and the adequacy of their medical care.
Building a Future and Fighting for Human Rights
Hernández Romero hopes to return to work as a makeup artist and fashion designer, eventually building a life in Los Angeles. “The final destination for Andry is Los Angeles, California,” he said. His dream is not just personal but also professional, aiming to share his ideas with political leaders and advocate for individualized review, accountability, and due process in immigration detention.
Reflecting on the support he received from Americans during his detention, Hernández Romero expressed gratitude. “I never imagined my name, my image, my story would be so influential in the United States,” he said. Despite the hardships, he maintains a complicated relationship with the country that both imprisoned and inspired him. “By nationality, I’m Venezuelan,” he said. “But in my heart, I’m American.”
