AHRC Decries Trump Admin Unlawful Deportation of Gay Barber

By AHRC Staff March 25, 2025

The U.S. deported 238 Venezuelan migrants, accused of being Tren de Aragua gang members, to El Salvador’s mega-prison, CECOT. This high-security prison, known for its harsh conditions, houses the most dangerous criminals. Caught up among them is a gay man who says he is not a member of the gang.

Deportees were shackled, had their heads shaved, and were placed in overcrowded cells with minimal facilities. The Trump administration used the Alien Enemies Act to justify these deportations, calling the gang an "invasion."

" The intake began with slaps. One young man sobbed when a guard pushed him to the floor. He said, “I’m not a gang member. I’m gay. I’m a barber.” I believed him. But maybe it’s only because he didn’t look like what I had expected—he wasn’t a tattooed monster. The men were pulled from the buses so fast the guards couldn’t keep pace. Chained at their ankles and wrists, they stumbled and fell, some guards falling to the ground with them. With each fall came a kick, a slap, a shove. The guards grabbed necks and pushed bodies into the sides of the buses as they forced the detainees forward. There was no blood, but the violence had rhythm, like a theater of fear. " TIME: Philip Holsinger Reporting from San Luis Talpa, El Salvador, LINK HERE to all his photos.

A U.S. judge has temporarily blocked further deportations, while Venezuela demands their return. Are they gangsters or victims of political decisions?  The case requiring their return to America under order of a U.S. Court is still pending a three-panel appeal ruling in the DC Circuit. African Human Rights Coalition condemns the actions of the trump government: There is no proof that any of these individuals are criminals. They were denied a process that would require evidence to justify their deportations. We assert that all people on American soil should receive due process - perceived or alleged gang member, or not - and if that were the case so called "mistakes" would not be made such as sending a gay man to certain violence and even death. The idea that America has been invaded as a justification for the law utilized makes no sense other than as a way to circumvent due process, which by its very nature, is likely to cause mistakes that can lead to great harms for those who are innocently caught up in this.

AHRC condemns the trump administration's recklessness and cruelty and calls on the government for the immediate return of the young gay barber and all who have been denied due process. Time Magazine has recorded the inhumane treatment through photos. https://time.com/7269604/el-salvador-photos-venezuelan-detainees/