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ICE detention of Cuban musicians

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2026-08-25 17:20 UTC → 2026-08-26 03:33 UTC · added ~~removed~~

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. ~~Bofill~~ 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.~~ 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 ~~and solidarity~~ from the Cuban musical ~~community, including figures such as Chucho Valdés~~ community and ~~Luis Enrique.~~ 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.~~ 2026, following the return of Donald Trump to the White House in January 2025.

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