Grammy winner Degnis Nelson Bofill Miranda detained by ICE

Cuban percussionist and 2022 Latin Grammy winner Degnis Nelson Bofill Miranda was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on August 19 at Miami International Airport. Bofill, 39, was returning to Miami from professional engagements in New York, including performances at the Pocket Jazz Club and attendance at the Latin Alternative Music Conference.

ICE officials stated that while Bofill entered the United States legally in April 2023, he subsequently violated the terms of his admission, classifying him as an undocumented immigrant. He has been transferred to the Krome Detention Center in Miami-Dade.

Bofill’s wife, Mara Delgado, stated that her husband has a pending asylum application and expressed fear regarding his potential deportation. She has launched a fundraising campaign with a $60,000 goal to cover legal fees and potential bail. Bofill previously won the Latin Grammy for Best Folk Album for his work on ‘Ancestros Sinfónico’.