In the ongoing deportation campaign targeting Venezuelan immigrants, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has relied on tattoos as a key indicator of membership in the criminal group Tren de Aragua (TDA). However, an investigation by The Independent has revealed that several tattoos cited by DHS as symbols of gang affiliation were created by tattoo artists in the UK and India, who maintain that their artwork has innocent, non-criminal meanings.
One such tattoo, which features a clock, was included in a 2024 DHS briefing on identifying TDA members. The British tattoo artist responsible for the design expressed confusion upon seeing his artwork associated with gangs. “It is mind-blowing that this is being used as an example of gang tattoos. It makes no sense at all,” the artist, who created the piece to symbolize love and time, told The Independent. “I have no relationship to Venezuelan gangs, and my art has nothing to do with them.”
This tattoo, along with others highlighted by DHS, was discovered to have been sourced from various online platforms, including Pinterest and Instagram. Some tattoos included in the DHS briefing were tied to common symbols like crowns, trains, stars, and the phrase “Hijos de Dios” (Sons of God), which are often found in general tattoo culture, not necessarily linked to TDA.
Tattoo artist Vipul Chaudhary, whose work featuring the initials “HJ” appeared in a DHS document, clarified that the tattoo was intended as a tribute to family members, not a symbol of gang affiliation. “The tattoo was done for a friend, with his and his wife’s initials,” Chaudhary said. “It has no connection to any gang.”
The DHS’s reliance on tattoos as an identifying feature of TDA membership has drawn criticism, particularly in light of the widespread use of images that have no direct ties to the gang. For instance, a tattoo depicting a train, cited as an example of a TDA symbol, was actually a logo associated with the Australian rock band AC/DC. This tattoo, which appeared in a 2019 post on Pinterest, was linked to the band’s world tour, not to criminal activity.
The controversy surrounding the use of tattoos to identify potential gang members has intensified under the Trump administration’s aggressive deportation tactics, which have included the use of the 18th-century Alien Enemies Act. Critics argue that tattoos are being used to unjustly target individuals with no connection to gangs, leading to deportations based on questionable evidence. One such case involved Neri Alvarado Borges, a man with an autism awareness tattoo, who was reportedly told by an ICE agent, “We’re finding and questioning everyone who has tattoos.”
Documents obtained by The Independent show that DHS has used tattoos to assign “points” in its assessment of potential gang members. The “Alien Enemies Act Validation Guide” assigns four points for tattoos associated with gang membership, alongside other indicators such as clothing or gestures, which could be used to justify deportation.
Experts argue that the use of tattoos as a primary means of identifying TDA members is flawed, with some warning that the practice is based on misguided interpretations. “It’s an idea taken from Central America and incorrectly applied to Tren de Aragua,” said Rebecca Hanson, a University of Florida professor specializing in violence and policing in Venezuela.
While the tattoos used in the DHS documents were initially associated with Venezuelan nationals detained at the U.S. border, some images, as highlighted by The Independent, have more obscure origins. These tattoos, which appear to have been pulled from social media and tattoo forums, raise questions about the accuracy and fairness of using such images to determine gang affiliation.
The ACLU has raised concerns about the deportation process, alleging that individuals are being removed without the opportunity to challenge the evidence against them. Several judges have ordered halts to these deportations, acknowledging that at least one individual was deported in error. Lee Gelernt, lead counsel for the ACLU, criticized the reliance on tattoos and other superficial indicators as “inconsistent with reliable methods of determining TDA membership.”
The controversy over tattoo-based deportations continues to highlight the risks of using questionable criteria to target individuals for removal. While the DHS maintains that it considers a broad range of factors, the reliance on tattoos, including those that have no criminal meaning, is raising concerns about the fairness and accuracy of the deportation process.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the DHS approach, stating that the agency considers a “litany of criteria” in identifying foreign terrorists. However, she did not address specific concerns raised about the use of tattoos. In response to the investigation, Leavitt also criticized the media for reporting on the issue, accusing reporters of defending the deportation targets.
The debate continues over whether tattoos should be used as a valid criterion for deportation, as many argue that these symbols are not reliable indicators of gang membership and could lead to the wrongful targeting of innocent individuals.
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