In his effort to deport illegal immigrants, mainly Venezuelans, President Donald Trump is extremely using tattoos as evidence of gang membership, drawing criticism from experts who claim the practice is both imperfect and misleading.
Even read: Trump cites Gracia’s side image to make up his MS-13 claim.
Despite a strong immigration judge order preventing his removal, Donald Trump just invoked the circumstance of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a 29-year-old Maryland resident who was deported to El Salvador on March 15. Trump shared an image of Abrego Garcia’s reportedly painted hands, saying,” This is the side of the person that the Democrats feel may be brought back to the United States, because he is such’a good and honest man.” Even though he has MS-13 painted on his hands, they claim he is certainly a part of MS-13. I may be permitted to carry out my duties. CHANGE AMERICA AWAY”!
However, numerous law enforcement officials and researchers have cautioned against the Trump administration’s growing emphasis on tats to establish group affiliation, particularly in the case of Tren de Aragua, a Colombian group. According to a NYT report,” A tattoo itself is not sufficient evidence to establish a person’s membership in a criminal organization,” said Joseph Kenny, the New York Police Department’s chief of detectives, in a statement released by the NYT.
According to court records and analytical reports, US immigration officials are now determining deportability under the Alien Enemies Act using a 10-point rating system under an inner guide, which allows gang-related tattoos to make four points. Eight factors are enough to get the treatment done without a hearing. According to a NYT report, Andry Jose Hernandez Romero, a Venezuelan makeup artist, was deported to El Salvador in one case based solely on tattoos with the words” Mom” and” Dad” inside of the crowns.
While Tren de Aragua has been linked to tattoos like clocks, skulls, and train pictures, five Cuban experts, including authorities officials, academics, and a journalist, informed The New York Times that tattoos are no official indicators of group membership in Cuban street culture, where ink is prevalent among young men irrespective of affiliation.
The Kilmar Abrego Garcia situation more polarizes debate. A viral conspiracy theory that claimed his hand tattoos spelled” MS-13″ using a cannabis leaf, smiling face, cross, and skull was discredited by a New York Times video investigation. According to a source, ICE officers told The Washington Post that they had no idea how the group would use such symbols. However, an ICE arrest report listed other tattoos as evidence of seniority within MS-13, including skulls with eyes, ears, and mouths covered ( a” see no evil” motif ). His Chicago Bulls cover was also cited as proof, according to the NYT record.
The White House has remained strong despite a Supreme Court ruling upholding the lower court’s order to reverse the deportation. According to press secretary Karoline Leavitt,” Abrego Garcia will never live in the United States of America,” he is accused of having gang connections.
In addition, El Salvador President Nayib Bukele made fun of allegations of abuse by posting images of Abrego Garcia sipping cocktails with Senator Chris Van Hollen. ” Kilmar Abrego Garcia, miraculously raised from the “death camps” and” torture,” he wrote on X Factor.com.” Kilmar Abrego Garcia, sipping margaritas with Sen. Van Hollen.
Legal experts warn that tattoos are often used as stand-alone proof yet when they are presented as evidence in court. A scar can be very powerful. Will we, however, basic our decisions on tattoos, allegations of law enforcement, and affiliations? Really, really unlikely,” according to Ryan Brackley, assistant district attorney for Arapahoe County in Colorado, to NYT.
Facts and environment are unquestionably important, according to Los Angeles County DA’s group homicide division, John Colello. Tattoos alone or the absence of one do not always indicate whether a person is a group participant.
