A Venezuelan soccer player who fled political persecution in his home country has found himself swept up in President Donald Trump’s mass deportation efforts. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deported him to El Salvador, based solely on his tattoos, according to his attorney.
Jerce Reyes Barrios, a professional soccer player from Venezuela, had protested the Maduro regime in February and March 2024, which led to his detention and torture following one demonstration.
Barrios’ attorney, Linette Tobin, told ABC News that Barrios entered the U.S. legally in September 2024, seeking asylum through the CBP One app. However, Tobin claims that Barrios is now being accused of being a member of the Tren de Aragua (TdA) gang. He was placed under maximum security detention following President Trump’s invocation of the 1798 Alien Enemies Act.
The Department of Homeland Security is accusing Barrios of having a tattoo linked to gang affiliation. They also claimed a photo showed him making gang signs.
According to Tobin, the tattoo in question features a crown atop a soccer ball, a rosary, and the word “Dios” (God). The tattoo artists, however, told Tobin that Barrios chose the design because it resembled the Real Madrid soccer team’s logo. Tobin further clarified that the alleged gang signs were actually the hand symbols for “rock and roll” and “I love you” in sign language.
Tobin also presented evidence from Venezuela, showing that Barrios had no criminal record and was a professional soccer player and a children’s soccer coach in his home country.
After presenting this evidence, Barrios was moved out of maximum security and was scheduled for a hearing on April 17, according to Tobin.
However, on or around March 10 or 11, Barrios was transferred to Texas without warning and was deported to El Salvador on March 15.
Tobin stated that both Barrios’ legal counsel and his family had lost contact with him and had no information about his current whereabouts, as detailed in court documents.
President Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act on Saturday, issuing a proclamation stating that the Tren de Aragua gang was “conducting irregular warfare” against the U.S. and, as such, would be deported under the act.
The order was swiftly blocked by U.S. District Judge James Boasberg, who ruled that the administration could not deport noncitizens under the Alien Enemies Act. He also ordered that two flights, intended to deport alleged migrant gang members to El Salvador, be turned around.
When officials failed to reverse the flights, Judge Boasberg demanded that they provide more information about the flights under seal. However, Justice Department attorneys refused, citing national security concerns. According to court filings obtained by ABC News, DOJ attorneys are considering invoking the state secrets privilege to withhold that information from the judge.
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