Teenage Mariachi trio detained by ICE to open for Kacey Musgraves
Three teenage musicians who were previously detained by ICE earlier this year are slated to open for country star Kacey Musgraves at a handful of her Texas shows.
In February, ICE detained three young musicians, 18-year-old Antonio Gámez-Cuéllar, 14-year-old Caleb Gámez-Cuéllar, and 12-year-old Joshua Gámez-Cuéllar, as well as their parents. They were released after a bipartisan backlash to their detention.
Their particular case drew much online attention as Antonio and Caelb are both mariachi musicians, and won a state mariachi competition with their high school’s ensemble last year; as a result, they travelled to Washington DC in the summer.
Their Republican congressional representative, Monica De La Cruz, later invited the ensemble to the House floor to celebrate their success.
Musgraves has chosen the trio to join her for performances at Gruene Hall from May 3rd to May 5th as a segment of her Middle of Nowhere tour. Notably, May 5th is Cinco de Mayo, which commemorates a Mexican military victory over a French army at the 1862 battle of Puebla.
While the Department of Homeland Security argued that the family was living in the country without legal permission, the boys’ father, Luis Antonio Martínez, told the New York Times otherwise. He explained that they entered on an asylum claim in 2023 after fleeing cartel threats in Mexico.
The family were released in March, after Antonio was kept in an adult facility and the younger boys, with their parents, were detained at a family centre in Dilley, Texas.
At that time, Musgraves hinted toward their future collaboration by celebrating their release, writing on Instagram, “Great so come on the road with me.” Now, they will have the chance to do just that.
Musgraves, who has shared consistently anti-Trump politics, will release her forthcoming album, Middle of Nowhere, on May 1st.
Never Miss A Beat
The Far Out Music Newsletter
All the latest music news from the independent voice of culture.
Straight to your inbox.