Bulwark Takes: “New Level of Brutality”: Gay Makeup Artist Asylum Seeker Sent to Hellish Prison

Release Date: March 25, 2025
Host/Author: The Bulwark
Hosts Featured: Tim Miller and Zach Stafford

Overview

In this compelling episode of Bulwark Takes, hosts Tim Miller and Zach Stafford delve into the harrowing case of Andre, a 23-year-old gay Venezuelan makeup artist who was sent to a notorious prison camp in San Salvador without due process. The discussion highlights the escalating brutality faced by queer asylum seekers under current U.S. immigration policies, drawing connections to past administrations and emphasizing the urgent need for systemic change.

Introduction to Andre’s Case [00:30 - 06:15]

Tim Miller introduces Andre, detailing his attempt to seek asylum legally at a port of entry in the United States. Despite following proper procedures, Andre was forcibly relocated to a "hellish" prison camp in San Salvador. Zach Stafford echoes the severity of the situation, reflecting on the increased dangers faced by queer individuals fleeing oppressive regimes.

Tim Miller [02:19]: "We're not deporting him. He didn't get sent back to home in Venezuela. He didn’t come illegally. He came to a port of entry, presented as an asylee, and we've sent him to a fucking prison camp."

Zach Stafford [05:46]: "This is insane to me to be like, these people aren't fleeing their condos in Boca Raton. Like, they're fleeing, like, real deadly situations where they need to get out and we're not letting them."

Systemic Failures in Asylum Processing [06:15 - 11:20]

The hosts discuss the broader implications of Andre’s case, highlighting how it represents a departure from America's foundational principles of providing refuge to those fleeing persecution. Zach Stafford references Adafe Akoporo’s memoir to underscore the complexities and dangers inherent in the asylum-seeking process.

Zach Stafford [09:16]: "Sure, people are gonna lie to try to cross the border, of course, but we need a court system in place that can actually check that to make sure so that those that need to get across can get across and those that shouldn’t are stopped there."

The conversation emphasizes the breakdown of legal safeguards that once protected asylum seekers, leading to arbitrary and inhumane detentions.

Impacts on the LGBTQ+ Community [11:20 - 13:10]

Focusing on the specific vulnerabilities of LGBTQ+ asylum seekers, the hosts illustrate how policies disproportionately harm individuals fleeing violence and persecution based on their sexual orientation and gender identity. The discussion reveals the heightened risks faced by queer individuals, who often have no choice but to seek asylum to survive.

Zach Stafford [07:30]: "These are folks trying to flee criminal enterprises that work outside the government systems. And so the violence is just compounding and compounding."

Legal and Human Rights Concerns [13:10 - 14:34]

Tim Miller and Zach Stafford critique the legal justifications used to detain Andre, arguing that the lack of evidence and due process represents a fundamental violation of human rights. They urge for transparency and accountability in immigration practices, warning against the normalization of such brutality.

Tim Miller [12:04]: "If you have such a strong case, show us. Like, you've got the receipts. Pull them out. I'd love to see them."

Stafford further emphasizes the need for maintaining robust legal processes to protect vulnerable individuals from arbitrary detention and disappearance.

Conclusion and Call to Action [14:07 - End]

The episode concludes with the hosts reaffirming their commitment to highlighting and combating injustices within the asylum system. They express a determination to continue bringing attention to cases like Andre’s and advocate for meaningful reforms to protect those most in need.

Zach Stafford [13:45]: "I'm feeling that as, you know, thrown into the winds of Trump's chaos, as I typically am. So, you know, five's okay. The vibe's okay today, Tim."

Notable Quotes

• Tim Miller [02:19]: "We're not deporting him... we've sent him to a fucking prison camp."
• Zach Stafford [05:46]: "These people aren't fleeing their condos in Boca Raton... they're fleeing, like, real deadly situations."
• Zach Stafford [09:16]: "We need a court system in place that can actually check that to make sure so that those that need to get across can get across and those that shouldn’t are stopped there."
• Tim Miller [12:04]: "If you have such a strong case, show us. Like, you've got the receipts. Pull them out."
• Zach Stafford [13:45]: "The vibe's okay today, Tim."

Key Takeaways

• Escalating Brutality: Andre’s case exemplifies a new level of brutality in the treatment of asylum seekers, particularly those who are queer.
• Systemic Failures: Current U.S. immigration policies undermine the legal asylum process, leading to arbitrary detentions and lack of due process.
• Vulnerable Populations: LGBTQ+ individuals face heightened risks and systemic barriers when seeking asylum, often escaping life-threatening situations.
• Urgent Need for Reform: Transparency, accountability, and robust legal protections are essential to prevent further human rights violations within the asylum system.

This episode serves as a critical examination of the dire state of asylum policies and their devastating impact on vulnerable populations. By spotlighting Andre’s story, Bulwark Takes advocates for urgent reforms to uphold America’s foundational values of providing refuge and protecting human rights.