Amnesty International Canada


USA:
RETURN ANDRY AND OTHERS
EXPELLED TO
EL SALVADOR

 

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TAKE ACTION NOW

Please fill out the form below to send a letter to Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security. You will have a chance to review and customize your letter before it is sent.  

Note: When you submit this form, an email message will be sent to the government of the United States including your name, city and email address. Other details you provide will be processed in line with Amnesty International’s Privacy Policy.

Campaign

 

“This repressive cooperation has now led to the enforced disappearance of more than 200 Venezuelan nationals arbitrarily deported to El Salvador’s CECOT."
Ana Piquer, Americas director at Amnesty International

Andry José Hernández Romero, a 31-year-old make-up artist and actor from Venezuelacame to the U.S. last year seeking safety. He had been targeted for being gay and for his political beliefs. Andry's asylum hearing was scheduled for March 17. But two days before that hearing, the Trump administration unlawfully detained and expelled him to a maximum security prison in El Salvador

There was no court order authorizing his removal. No notification of his attorney. No hearing to contest allegations against him. No due process. 

In March 2025, 260 others were also illegally sent to CECOT, a notorious prison in El Salvador known for its brutal conditions. This group included people in the midst of ongoing legal proceedings, who had no criminal record or ties to a gang, or had already been granted protection under U.S. law, including as required under the Convention Against Torture. Many were expelled without removal orders, a violation of established legal processes.

Most of the families of those unlawfully sent to El Salvador have not received any official information about their loved ones’ whereabouts.

The U.S. government violated a court order when they sent Andry and others to El Salvador. They are still trying to send more people.

Call on U.S. authorities to immediately return Andry and all others, ensure they can continue their immigration proceedings in the U.S., and halt any further expulsions.

a dangerous step toward authoritarian practice

The United States must uphold the principle of non-refoulement, which unequivocally prohibits states from returning, removing, or transferring individuals to any country where they would face a real risk of serious human rights abuses, including arbitrary detention, torture or other ill-treatment. By expelling these individuals to El Salvador, the U.S. government has placed them in grave danger. Further removals, particularly any subsequent transfer to Venezuela, would constitute additional violations of international law.

LEARN MORE 

The human cost of the repressive cooperation between the US and El Salvador (15 April 2025)

Unlawful expulsions from United States to El Salvador endanger lives amid ongoing State of Emergency (25 March 2025)

Write a personal letter to U.S. authorities based on the original Urgent Action on expulsions to El Salvador.

Read more about Andry's case and the campaign to bring him home at Free Andry.

Header image courtesy of freeandry.org. 

 
 
 
 

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