Venezuelan athlete wrongly deported due to tattoo misinterpretation

Jerce Reyes Barrios, a 36-year-old Venezuelan footballer, has been deported from the U.S. to El Salvador after authorities mistook his tattoo for a sign of gang affiliation. Barrios was in the U.S. waiting for his asylum application decision when he was arrested last September. Agents believed he was linked to a Venezuelan criminal group called Tren de Aragua. The tattoo in question features a football, a crown, and the word "Dios," which means God in Spanish. Barrios' lawyer stated that the tattoo was inspired by the logo of his favorite team, Real Madrid. A social media post of him using a hand gesture further led to confusion, as the gesture usually means "I love you" or represents "rock n' roll." Despite the lack of any criminal record, Barrios was held in maximum security. Evidence provided by his lawyer and tattoo artist indicated he was not affiliated with any gang. However, he was unexpectedly moved to a Texas facility and, on March 15, he was among over 200 Venezuelans deported under the Alien Enemies Act by the Trump administration. After his deportation, Barrios' family lost contact with him. They learned about his situation through viral videos shared by the Trump administration, showing him among those deported. His uncle explained that while Barrios' tattoo shares similarities with gang symbols, it is purely related to his love for soccer. Barrios, who had fled Venezuela after facing threats from the government, approached the U.S.-Mexico border legally seeking asylum. After being taken into custody, he has since vanished, with little information about his current condition in El Salvador. Family members, particularly his aunt, expressed deep concern for his safety. They have seen images that suggest he is in a maximum-security prison, raising fears about his well-being. Barrios’ children have not been informed of their father’s situation, although they have shared heartfelt messages about him.