The case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a man mistakenly deported to El Salvador, has become entangled in a significant controversy surrounding his tattoos and alleged ties to the MS-13 gang. At the heart of this debate is a photograph shared by former President Donald Trump and his White House X account, which purported to show "MS-13" tattooed on Abrego Garcia's knuckles. However, a closer examination of this image, alongside other photographic evidence and expert opinions, reveals a complex narrative involving digital alteration, misinterpretation of symbols, and the broader challenges of identifying gang affiliation.
The Alleged "MS-13" Tattoos: A Closer Look at the Photograph
To Trump and the White House X account, the tattoos are proof that Abrego Garcia belongs to the MS-13 gang, which his family and lawyers have consistently denied. The photograph, as presented by Trump, appears to have been altered to include the lettering "MS-13" above other symbols. This alteration was not explained by the White House. Furthermore, the hand in the photograph also displays, in a printed font, the letters "M," "S," "1," and "3" above other pictorial tattoos. Trump's post stated, "This is the hand of the man that the Democrats feel should be brought back to the United States, because he is such ‘a fine and innocent person.’"
However, the crucial detail is that the figures "M," "S," "1," and "3," and the words below the symbols, do not appear in other photographs of Abrego Garcia’s hand. This includes a photograph taken by Salvadoran government officials, which was shared on X by El Salvador’s president, Nayib Bukele, during a meeting with Senator. We asked the White House whether "MS-13" is tattooed on Abrego Garcia’s hand or whether the photo had been altered, perhaps to show that each of the pictorial tattoos represented one of those letters or numbers. We also asked Abrego Garcia’s attorneys about the photograph and their client’s tattoos.
Expert Opinions on Gang Tattoos and Symbolism
Several gang crime experts have urged caution about assuming that any tattoos provide definitive proof of MS-13 ties. David M. Kennedy, a professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, stated, "Very common and real gang signifiers will be things like crowns and pitchforks and teardrops, all of which have different meanings." This highlights that common imagery can be co-opted and reinterpreted, making definitive identification challenging based on tattoos alone.
Kennedy further elaborated on the potential misinterpretations, noting that "Within MS-13 culture, such markings would likely be frowned upon and even viewed as a sign of cowardice, as they could be interpreted as an attempt to hide or downplay gang affiliation." This suggests that the very tattoos presented as evidence might be contrary to MS-13's internal culture. He also emphasized, "While police gang experts often use so-called gang tattoos as circumstantial evidence of alleged gang involvement, in my experience, they never use tattoos alone as definitive evidence of gang affiliation." This professional opinion underscores the need for corroborating evidence beyond mere markings.
In contrast, other experiences suggest a more direct approach to gang identification through tattoos. "In El Salvador, I worked with gang members who had MS-13 tattooed on their face, upper body and lower body," said Katz. This statement, however, refers to a different context and level of tattoo prevalence, not necessarily confirming the specific symbols on Abrego Garcia's hand as indicative of MS-13.
Maya Barak, an associate professor of criminal justice studies at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, has also noted that tattoos such as devil horns, the letters "M" and "S," and the numbers "1" and "3" have been used by MS-13 members. However, she co-authored a report that highlighted the potential for mislabeling people as MS-13 members based on their perceived race or immigration status, as well as their style of dress and tattoos. This points to the broader issue of profiling and the dangers of relying on superficial indicators.
Abrego Garcia's Case: Protection, Arrest, and Deportation
The narrative of Abrego Garcia's legal troubles is multifaceted. He had a protection order that was supposed to prevent him from being deported to El Salvador. In March 2019, Abrego Garcia was looking for day labor outside a Home Depot in Maryland when Prince George’s County police took him and three others into custody. Subsequently, Immigration and Customs Enforcement booked Abrego Garcia into custody. Immigration and Customs Enforcement judges denied bond, both initially and on appeal, citing a police informant’s accusation.
Despite a 2019 court order granting him protection from deportation, the Trump administration alleged ties to MS-13, citing unverified claims. In 2019, he was arrested in Maryland while seeking day labor work; authorities cited his attire and a confidential informant’s claim to suggest MS-13 gang affiliation. This arrest occurred despite the existing protection order.
In 2022, Abrego Garcia was pulled over in Tennessee driving a vehicle owned by a convicted human smuggler, transporting eight passengers without luggage, raising suspicions of human trafficking. Additionally, a 2021 domestic abuse complaint from his wife accused him of physical violence, though she later retracted the claims. These incidents, while raising questions, are distinct from the MS-13 allegations.
The Digital Alteration and its Implications
On April 18th, Trump showed a doctored picture of Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s knuckles with "MS-13" tattooed on them. On April 19th, Trump posted an image on X of Garcia's knuckles with symbols below, and the text "MS13" above. The color of the added text matched the color of the tattoos below, leading many people to believe that someone photoshopped the text onto the image to frame Garcia.
Layla Ferris, a verification producer with CBS News Confirmed, noted that while the original image held by Trump was genuine, it had been edited to insert the text "MS-13" above the symbols tattooed on Abrego Garcia's hand, in effect annotating them. This means that the text "MS-13" was not a tattoo but an addition to the photograph. Ferris stated, "You can argue the validity of the interpretation of the tattoos, but there is no debate that the text above the symbols was added."
The revelation that Trump himself may have believed the added text was a real tattoo was described as a "strange turn of events." The question arises: "how is this possible? Who gave him this photo, and how was its meaning not explained?" This suggests a potential disconnect between the information presented and the reality of the image's origin.
A source from ICE reportedly told the New York Post that if Abrego Garcia was a member of MS-13, getting such a tattoo would have been a requirement. However, "Looking at other photos of MS-13 gang tattoos, however, revealed that members of the gang have its name literally tattooed on their bodies in some form, generally an 'MS,' a '13' or both." If MS-13 members are required to have a rather blatant "MS" or "13" tattoo, and if Abrego Garcia was actually involved with the gang, the Trump administration would presumably be able to share a photo of such a tattoo, rather than relying on a doctored image.
The Broader Context of Deportation and Misidentification
The Trump administration's actions in deporting alleged gang members have faced scrutiny. In March 2025, the Trump administration began deporting alleged gang members-mostly Venezuelans accused of ties to the Tren de Aragua-to El Salvador’s high-security CECOT prison under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798. Despite a federal judge’s restraining order, the administration proceeded, arguing the order wasn’t enforceable. A CBS investigation revealed that only a small number of those deported had serious charges.
Even after acknowledging it had made a mistake in deporting Abrego Garcia, the administration repeatedly claimed that it ordered him sent to the Salvadoran mega-prison because he was a member of MS-13. This persistent assertion, despite evidence to the contrary and the admission of error, raises questions about the administration's motives and the reliance on questionable evidence.
Abrego Garcia has no criminal record, and his family says he was never involved with a gang. He was deported and sent to El Salvador's notorious mega-prison, designed to hold the most dangerous gang members, before being moved to another facility as his case attracted widespread attention. Despite a 2019 court order granting him protection from deportation, the Trump administration alleged ties to MS-13, citing unverified claims.
The Constitution grants him the right to due process, and the Supreme Court ordered the Trump administration on April 10 to "facilitate" his return. The case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia highlights the significant challenges and potential for injustice when allegations of gang affiliation are based on misinterpreted or fabricated evidence, particularly when amplified by political rhetoric.
The Symbolism of Abrego Garcia's Tattoos
The specific tattoos on Abrego Garcia's hand-a marijuana leaf, a smiley face with X's for eyes, a crucifix, and a skull-are common symbols that can be interpreted in various ways. While some gang experts acknowledge that certain symbols like "devil horns, the letters 'M' and 'S' and the numbers '1" and '3'" can be associated with MS-13, they also stress that these markings alone are not reliable indicators of membership.
The interpretation that the marijuana leaf represents an "M," the smiley face an "S," the cross a "1," and the skull a "3," as suggested by the altered text in Trump's photograph, is highly speculative. Many people who do not belong to gangs widely use marijuana leaves, crosses, and skulls as tattoos. These symbols can carry personal, religious, or cultural meanings unrelated to gang affiliation.
Furthermore, current gang members spoken to by Lovato do not believe Abrego Garcia's tattoos represent MS-13. This internal perspective from within gang culture provides a counterpoint to external interpretations. The notion that these specific symbols would be used to denote MS-13 membership, especially when more overt markings are common among dedicated members, warrants skepticism.
The fact that Abrego Garcia had a protection order against deportation, and his family and lawyers consistently denied any gang involvement, further strengthens the argument against his alleged MS-13 ties. The reliance on a doctored photograph and unverified informant claims in the face of this evidence suggests a predetermined narrative rather than an objective assessment of facts. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of thorough verification and the dangers of making life-altering decisions based on superficial or manipulated information.
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