Uncovering MS-13 (Mara Salvatrucha) from Their Tattoos

Tattoos have long served as both identifiers and cultural expressions within gangs like MS-13 (Mara Salvatrucha). 

In the wake of President Donald Trump's controversial claim that deported Salvadoran man Kilmar Abrego Garcia had "MS-13" tattooed on his knuckles, the debate around gang-related tattoos—and how they’re interpreted—has intensified. 

But do such markings reliably indicate gang membership? Experts say it’s not that simple.

Key Takeaways

• Kilmar Abrego Garcia was deported despite a legal order, with Trump citing alleged “MS13” tattoos as justification.
• Experts say the tattoos shown in the photo Trump shared do not align with known MS-13 symbolism.
• Misinterpreting body art as gang affiliation can lead to wrongful accusations, legal issues, and deportation.

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The Background: Trump’s Claim and Public Reaction

In an interview with ABC News on April 29, 2025, Donald Trump doubled down on his earlier social media post, claiming Kilmar Abrego Garcia had “MS13” visibly inked on his knuckles.

 According to Trump, this visual evidence justified Garcia’s deportation to El Salvador, where he was sent to the notorious CECOT mega-prison.

The image Trump cited displayed four tattooed fingers: a marijuana leaf, a smiley face, a cross, and a skull—with letters “M,” “S,” “1,” and “3” allegedly printed above each finger. 

While Trump insisted the image clearly spelled out MS13, critics—including ABC journalist Terry Moran—called the photo photoshopped or inconclusive.

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The Reality of Gang Tattoos

Experts in gang culture and law enforcement say authentic MS-13 tattoos typically include very specific imagery and styles: spider webs, devil horns, or “MS” in gothic font are more common. These tattoos are often found on the neck, chest, or face—not the knuckles.

Professor Sean Kennedy of Loyola Law School, who has worked with gang-related cases, noted that the tattoos on Garcia’s fingers “don’t look familiar” from an MS-13 standpoint. 

Charles Katz of Arizona State University echoed this, saying he’s never seen those designs associated with the gang during his 15 years of research in El Salvador and the U.S.

Why Mislabeling Matters

Labeling someone a gang member based on misunderstood or stylized tattoos has real consequences. 

In Garcia’s case, it led to his deportation in violation of a court order. Two federal judges later ruled that the evidence tying him to MS-13 was weak, relying mostly on clothing choices and an informant whose credibility was disputed.

Garcia’s lawyers argue that the tattoos were not indicative of gang affiliation and that ICE's actions violated due process. Meanwhile, human rights advocates and U.S. Senators like Chris Van Hollen have raised alarms about how such deportations are being carried out.

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What MS-13 Tattoos Typically Look Like

To identify MS-13 tattoos accurately, law enforcement usually looks for:

• The letters “MS,” “MS13,” or “Mara” in distinctive styles.
• Imagery like devil horns, pitchforks, or three dots in a triangle formation (representing "Mi Vida Loca").
• Full-back or facial tattoos that assert loyalty.

These tattoos are often overt and intended as a badge of identity. Attempts to “hide” or obscure gang affiliation through generic or cartoon-like images run contrary to MS-13’s internal culture, which values boldness and visibility.

Conclusion

The controversy surrounding Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s deportation exposes a deeper issue: how easily body art can be misconstrued as criminal evidence. 

While tattoos may sometimes indicate gang ties, they are far from definitive proof—especially when cultural context and artistic expression are ignored. 

In cases as serious as deportation or imprisonment, claims based on tattoos must be backed by solid, contextualized evidence—not speculation.

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FAQs

What do MS-13 tattoos typically include?

They often feature “MS13,” “Mara,” or “Salvatrucha” in gothic script, alongside symbols like spider webs, devil horns, or three-dot triangles.

Is it illegal to have tattoos that resemble gang symbols?

No, tattoos alone are not illegal. However, they may be considered as part of broader gang affiliation evidence in legal cases.

Was Kilmar Abrego Garcia proven to be in MS-13?

No court conclusively proved his membership. Judges later ruled that the evidence was not strong enough to justify deportation based on gang ties.