President Donald Trump is increasingly citing tattoos as proof of gang membership in his push to deport undocumented migrants, especially Venezuelans, drawing criticism from experts who say the practice is both flawed and misleading.
Also read: Trump citing image of Gracia’s hand to claim MS-13 connection
Donald Trump recently invoked the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a 29-year-old Maryland resident deported to El Salvador on March 15, despite an active immigration court order blocking his removal. Sharing an image of tattooed knuckles allegedly belonging to Abrego Garcia, Trump claimed: “This is the hand of the man that the Democrats feel should be brought back to the United States, because he is such ‘a fine and innocent person.’ They said he is not a member of MS-13, even though he’s got MS-13 tattooed on his knuckles… I must be allowed to do my job. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”.
But multiple law enforcement officials and experts have warned against the Trump administration’s growing reliance on tattoos to determine gang affiliation — especially in the case of Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. “A tattoo itself is never sufficient evidence to prove a person is a member of a criminal group,” said Joseph Kenny, chief of detectives at the New York Police Department, according to a NYT report.
Court documents and investigative reports indicate that US immigration officials are now using a 10-point scoring system under an internal guide — where gang-related tattoos can earn four points — to determine deportability under the Alien Enemies Act. Eight points are sufficient for expedited removal without a hearing. In one case, Andry Jose Hernandez Romero, a Venezuelan makeup artist, was deported to El Salvador based solely on tattoos that read “Mom” and “Dad” inside crowns, according to a NYT report.
While tattoos such as clocks, skulls, or train imagery have been linked to Tren de Aragua, five Venezuelan experts including police officials, academics, and a journalist told The New York Times that tattoos are not formal indicators of gang membership in Venezuelan street culture, where ink is common among young men regardless of affiliation.
The case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia has further polarised debate. A New York Times video investigation debunked viral conspiracy theories that claimed his finger tattoos spelled out “MS-13” using a marijuana leaf, smiley face, cross, and skull. ICE officials reportedly told The Washington Post that they were unaware of such symbols being used by the gang. However, an ICE arrest report cited other tattoos — including skulls with eyes, ears, and mouths covered (a “see no evil” motif) and a devil with horns as signs of seniority within MS-13. His Chicago Bulls cap was also cited as evidence, according to the NYT report.
Despite a Supreme Court ruling upholding the lower court’s order to reverse the deportation, the White House has remained firm. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Wednesday, “Abrego Garcia will never live in the United States of America,” accusing him of gang ties.
Meanwhile, El Salvador President Nayib Bukele mocked allegations of mistreatment, posting photos of Abrego Garcia sipping margaritas with Senator Chris Van Hollen. “Kilmar Abrego Garcia, miraculously risen from the ‘death camps’ & ‘torture’, now sipping margaritas with Sen. Van Hollen,” he wrote on X
Legal experts caution that even when tattoos are presented as evidence in court, they are rarely used as stand-alone proof. “A tattoo can be very telling. But are we going to base our decisions and law enforcement accusations and associations on a tattoo? Very, very unlikely,” said Ryan Brackley, assistant district attorney in Colorado’s Arapahoe County to NYT
John Colello of the Los Angeles County DA’s gang homicide division agrees: “Facts and context are obviously important. Tattoos alone, or lack of tattoo, do not necessarily mean a person is, or is not, a gang member”
