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He’s a makeup artist seeking asylum. Why was he targeted by ICE?
Apr 10, 2025
Jonathan Blitzer, a seasoned immigration staff writer for The New Yorker and author of 'Everyone Who Is Gone Is Here', sheds light on the troubling deportation of Venezuelan migrants. He highlights the harrowing journey of Andrew, a gay makeup artist, wrongfully detained for supposed gang affiliations. Blitzer critiques ICE's practices, revealing the lack of criminal records among deportees. The discussion exposes political silence amid community efforts to support those affected, emphasizing the urgent need for advocacy in the face of injustice.
34:18
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Quick takeaways
- The Trump administration's use of the Alien Enemies Act for deportations raises serious legal and ethical concerns regarding due process and civil liberties.
- André Hernández Romero's case illustrates how misinterpretations of evidence can lead to wrongful deportation of vulnerable migrants seeking asylum.
Deep dives
Mass Deportations Without Due Process
The Trump administration recently deported 238 Venezuelan migrants to a prison in El Salvador without providing them court hearings or opportunities to consult with lawyers. Official claims suggest these individuals are tied to a Venezuelan gang, yet little evidence has been presented to support these allegations, leaving many deportees without proper legal recourse. Reports indicate that a significant number of those deported lack criminal histories, and at least one deportation occurred by mistake. This raises serious concerns about the legality and ethics of the administration's actions, particularly when many of these migrants had pending immigration cases at the time of their deportation.
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