President Trump shared a photo of a hand with tattoos, claiming it belonged to Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, a deported Salvadoran man, and that the 'MS-13' markings were gang-related. However, the photo appears altered, and gang experts disagree; the tattoos are not typical of MS-13.
Multiple gang crime experts stated that the tattoos (marijuana leaf, smiley face, cross, skull) lack the common signifiers of MS-13 affiliation. They highlighted that common meanings of tattoos, such as religious or personal ones, should be considered before claiming gang ties. The experts emphasized that tattoos should not be the sole evidence used to establish gang affiliation.
Abrego Garcia's deportation to El Salvador occurred despite a protection order. The Trump administration claimed he was an MS-13 member, a claim denied by Abrego Garcia and his attorneys. The article details the sequence of events and court filings related to his deportation, including mention of an 'oversight' by ICE. The Supreme Court ruled that the government must facilitate his release from Salvadoran custody.
The article concludes that the evidence presented by the White House is insufficient and that the photograph seems to have been altered. Experts found no reliable MS-13 markings, and the tattoos could have various common interpretations. The article also highlights the legal proceedings and the ongoing efforts to reverse Abrego Garcia's deportation.