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Like many others, he aspired to become a professional soccer player and eventually coach young athletes as part of his lifelong dream.
However, that dream came to a sudden halt when he found himself imprisoned in one of the world’s most feared detention centers.
Barrios, a Venezuelan football coach who had publicly criticized President Maduro earlier this year, fled his home country in a desperate bid for safety.
He sought asylum by using the CBP One app launched by President Biden in September 2024, following official procedures through both Mexican and U.S. border checkpoints.
As many other asylum seekers do Barrios faced temporary detention by U.S. immigration officers before the evaluation of his case.
Although he passed normal immigration checkpoints officials investigated him when they spotted his tattoo and social media photos.
The tattoo, depicting a crown above a soccer ball with the word “Dios” (meaning “God”), was a symbol Barrios proudly displayed to express both his passion for soccer and his religious beliefs.
However, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) interpreted it differently.
DHS agents associated the tattoo with imagery commonly linked to the notorious Venezuelan criminal gang, Tren de Aragua.
Linette Tobin quickly came to Barrios’ defense, clarifying that the tattoo was inspired by his passion for the Real Madrid soccer team.
“In fact, he got the tattoo because it resembles the logo of his favorite team, Real Madrid,” Tobin explained, supported by a statement from the tattoo artist who created it.
Authorities, however, used photos of Barrios displaying hand signs as part of their case—one being the American Sign Language sign for “I love you,” and the other the widely recognized “rock on” gesture.
Tobin presented records proving Barrios had no criminal history or gang ties, and noted he had a pending court hearing set for April 17.
Nevertheless, before the scheduled hearing, officials deported Barrios to El Salvador without notifying his legal team or family.
Barrios’ family was left in agonizing uncertainty, receiving no updates on his whereabouts or well-being.
His aunt eventually spotted him in photographs from a Salvadoran prison, identifying him by a distinctive scar on his hand.
Acting under President Donald Trump’s directive, the U.S. government invoked the rarely used Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to deport individuals suspected of gang affiliation back to their home countries.
Although a judge attempted to halt these deportations, the planes carrying Barrios and others had already departed before the intervention could take effect.
His ultimate destination?
El Salvador’s infamous Terrorism Confinement Center — a facility CNN has labeled as “spartan,” severely overcrowded, and brutal, where prisoners are confined for 23.5 hours daily without mattresses or essential supplies.
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