Pete Belton, a 44-year-old from Ilkeston, Derbyshire, finds his life turned upside down after discovering that his tattoo appeared in a US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) document related to members of the violent Tren de Aragua gang.
British Man's Tattoo Mistakenly Linked to Venezuelan Gang in US Documents
British Man's Tattoo Mistakenly Linked to Venezuelan Gang in US Documents
A British man's personal tattoo has been wrongly associated with a notorious Venezuelan gang by US immigration authorities, raising concerns about identity misattribution.
A tattoo inked on the forearm of a British man has sparked controversy after it has been incorrectly catalogued in a US government document linked to the Tren de Aragua (TdA), a notorious Venezuelan criminal organization. Pete Belton, 44, from Ilkeston, expressed disbelief upon finding a picture of his tattoo, which commemorates his daughter’s birth, embedded in a document from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) intended to identify gang members.
Initially perceiving the situation as "strange" and somewhat humorous, Belton is now worried that his upcoming family trip to Miami could inadvertently place him in a troubling situation, fearing he might be misidentified as a gang affiliate during border checks. The tattoo included in the DHS document—a clock face with his daughter’s birth date—was among several images used as "detecting and identifying" tools.
Legal representatives note that mistakes have been made in the identification of gang members based on tattoos alone, which are often misattributed. Belton's tattoo has circulated on various tattoo websites and social media since its inception, yet its inclusion in the DHS document appears to lack a credible link to TdA activities.
Tattoos have previously played a crucial role in the misidentification of individuals, leading to wrongful deportations. Ronna Risquez, a journalist who specializes in TdA, emphasizes that tattoos should not solely be considered evidence of gang affiliation, highlighting that proper investigations are essential to confirm criminal links.
Meanwhile, Belton's family considers cancelling their planned trip to the US due to the heightened risks, although they are currently monitoring the situation, hoping for clarity amid the chaos.
