Like other people he wanted to become a professional soccer player who could train children in his dream.
His dream path ended unexpectedly as he entered one of the scariest prisons on earth.
As a football coach in Venezuela who spoke out against Maduro earlier this year Barrios made a dangerous escape from his nation in search of safe haven.
When President Biden started CBP One in September 2024 Barrios used the app to get asylum through official Mexican and US entry points.
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 in question features a crown above a soccer ball with the word “Dios,” meaning “God” — an image Barrios proudly wore to show his love for the sport and faith.
DHS had a different perspective about this matter.
DHS officers matched the design to visual representations linked with the violent criminal organization Tren de Aragua.
Linette Tobin reacted fast to defend Barrios by explaining the tattoo came from his enthusiasm for Real Madrid the soccer club.
“In reality, he chose this tattoo because it is similar to the logo for his favourite soccer team, Real Madrid,” Tobin said, with a declaration from the tattoo artist backing the statement.
Photos used by authorities to justify the deportation showed Barrios making hand gestures — one being the American Sign Language sign for “I love you,” and the other, a common “rock on” symbol.
The lawyer established through documentation that Barrios showed no criminal past or signs of gang membership plus had a pending court case on April 17.
Despite being scheduled for an April 17 hearing the authorities sent Barrios to El Salvador without telling anyone.
No one informed them about his location or health status so they had to endure a painful silence.
Barrios’ aunt found his image in prison photos from El Salvador where she confirmed him through his hand scar.
The U.S. government under direction from President Donald Trump used the nearly abandoned Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to send suspected gang members back to their countries of origin.
Although a judge tried to stop these forced deportations the flights carrying Barrios and many others had already taken off.
The final destination?
El Salvador’s notorious Terrorism Confinement Center — a prison CNN describes as “spartan,” overcrowded, and harsh, where inmates are locked up 23.5 hours a day with no mattresses or basic necessities.
Reports show Trump sent 260 people to this center with 20,000 inmates before Barrios ended up there.
A tattoo designed to celebrate soccer and faith put him in this very situation although it did not connote gang membership.
Feature Image Credit: (Youtube/Ruhi Çenet) and (Instagram/jercereyes)