Mariachi Musicians Released After ICE Detention Sparks Outcry

The detention of three young mariachi musicians by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has sparked bipartisan criticism, with lawmakers from both parties calling for their release.

Caleb Gámez-Cuéllar, 14, Joshua Gámez-Cuéllar, 12, and their parents were detained on February 25 at the Dilley family detention center in Texas. Their 18-year-old brother Antonio is being held separately at an adult facility in Raymondville.

The brothers are members of the award-winning Mariachi Oro band from McAllen High School, which has performed at the White House and Carnegie Hall. Less than a year ago, two of the brothers were recognized on Capitol Hill for their musical achievements.

Lawmakers from across the political spectrum have voiced support for the family. Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-Texas) visited the family in detention and criticized the Trump administration's immigration policies. 'Donald Trump said he was going after criminals,' Castro said. 'Well, how is it that these two young men were good enough to perform at the United States Capitol at the invitation of their congresswoman?'

Rep. Monica De La Cruz (R-Texas), who congratulated the brothers' mariachi group last year, has requested a visit to the facility where Antonio is being held. 'The Gámez-Cuéllar family's story breaks my heart,' she said in a statement. 'South Texans know better than anyone that we can secure our border and still treat people with dignity.'

ICE maintains that the parents were in the country illegally and chose to bring their children with them. A DHS spokesperson stated, 'Parents are asked if they want to be removed with their children, or ICE will place the children with a safe person the parent designates.'

The family has claimed they fled violence in San Luis Potosí, Mexico, and attended all required court dates and check-ins with immigration authorities. The parents were notified about an ICE check-in in February and subsequently detained at that meeting.

Caleb and Joshua were held at a detention center in Dilley, Texas, where children are kept with their guardians. Antonio was detained separately at El Valle Detention Center in Raymondville due to ICE policies barring adult males without children from being held at Dilley.

'I told them, he is a child,' Luis Antonio Martínez, the father, said about the separation. 'He was in tears when they took him away in shackles.'

Protesters gathered outside the El Valle facility on Monday to demand the brothers' release. Following pressure from Democratic and Republican lawmakers as well as the broader public, all five members of the Gámez-Cuéllar family were released on Monday.