Franco José Caraballo Tiapa, who had sought asylum in the United States, was deported as part of a broader immigration crackdown under President Donald Trump. This policy aimed to remove people who had entered the country illegally or committed crimes after arrival.
However, Caraballo – who is just 26 years old was sent to El Salvador after officials said his tattoos were proof that he was involved with a gang. His loved ones strongly disagree with that conclusion and are pushing back.
He also has two very personal tribute tattoos for his eldest daughter, Shalome. One is a pocket watch that shows the exact time she was born, and the other is her name in bold black lettering across his chest.
Despite these personal meanings, Caraballo was accused of belonging to Venezuela’s most dangerous gang, Tren de Aragua, simply based on his body art. But both his relatives and his lawyer argue that the tattoos tell a very different story.
Last month, when U.S. immigration authorities detained him in Dallas, they pointed to his tattoos as supposed proof of gang membership. That decision led to his deportation to a prison that’s considered one of the most brutal in the world.
Caraballo’s family insists he has no gang ties whatsoever. They say his tattoos are meant to honor things like his faith, his loved ones, and even his favorite football team, Real Madrid.
In that report, officials stated: “The subject Caraballo has been identified as a Member/Active of Tren de Aragua.”
However, the document doesn’t explain how the authorities actually reached that conclusion based on his appearance or any other evidence.
Rosenow pushed back on the idea that his client’s tattoos automatically link him to gang activity. He said: “It’s specious – there’s no basis for this conclusion.”
“Experts in Venezuela who study the gang have all stated that there are no tattoos that associate gang members. It’s not like the Central American MS-13 gang where tattoos are relevant in their organization.”
“I’m nauseated by it all. I’m distressed for these individuals. I’m sad for what this means. As an American, for me it’s disgraceful that we would violate human rights so flagrantly on an international level.”
Caraballo first entered the United States in October 2023. His case is not unique, as he’s just one of many individuals who were deported despite not having any criminal history.
