# ICE detention of Cuban musicians

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/ice-detention-of-cuban-musicians
> Updated: 2026-08-25T00:43:36.000Z. Sources: 21. Developments: 2.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has detained two prominent Cuban musicians, pianist Andy García Palacios and Latin Grammy-winning percussionist Degnis Bofill.

García Palacios was intercepted on August 15 at Los Angeles International Airport. While his attorney maintains he was legally entered with no criminal record, ICE officials state his authorization to remain in the country expired on May 27, 2024, leading to removal proceedings. He is being held at a processing center in Adelanto, California. Renowned musician Chucho Valdés has expressed concern, describing García Palacios as a “major representative of Cuba’s new musical generation.”

Bofill, a 2022 Latin Grammy winner for Best Folk Album, was apprehended on August 19 at Miami International Airport while returning from New York. His wife, Mara Delgado, noted he arrived in the U.S. on a visa in 2023 and has a pending asylum application. He is currently held at the Krome detention center. A fundraising campaign for his legal defense has raised approximately $51,000.

The arrests have drawn criticism from the Cuban musical community and the Cuban government. Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez condemned the arrests, labeling the treatment of Cuban migrants in the United States as “discriminatory.” These incidents follow a reported increase in migration-related arrests, with over 51,000 recorded by ICE and CBP in July 2026, following the return of Donald Trump to the White House in January 2025.

## Claims

- ICE arrested Cuban pianist Andy García Palacios on August 15 at Los Angeles International Airport. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- Degnis Bofill had a pending asylum application at the time of his arrest. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- ICE arrested percussionist Degnis Bofill on August 19 at Miami International Airport. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- Chucho Valdés expressed public solidarity with Andy García Palacios, calling him a great representative of a new generation of Cuban musicians. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- An online fundraising campaign for Bofill's legal defense raised approximately $51,000. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- More than 51,000 migrants were arrested by ICE and CBP in July 2025. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Andy García Palacios entered the United States legally but remained after his authorized stay expired on May 27, 2024. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-25: ICE arrests Cuban musicians Degnis Bofill and Andy García Palacios

ICE has detained Cuban musicians Degnis Bofill and Andy García Palacios in the U.S. The arrests come amid rising migration enforcement and have drawn reactions from the international artistic community.

11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cuban-musicians-degnis-bofill-and-andy-garca-palacios-detained-by-ice

### 2026-08-22: ICE detains prominent Cuban musicians Andy García Palacios and Degnis Bofill

ICE has detained Cuban musicians Andy García Palacios and Latin Grammy winner Degnis Bofill in the U.S., sparking outcry from the international musical community over their potential deportation.

10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cuban-musicians-face-deportation-after-ice-arrests

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Cite as: ICE detention of Cuban musicians. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/ice-detention-of-cuban-musicians