Visa revocations hamper Mexican musicians in the United States

Just hours before Grupo Firme’s highly anticipated performance at the La Onda festival in Napa Valley last Sunday, the Tijuana band announced via their official Instagram account that they would not be able to take the stage. “The visas for Grupo Firme and the Music VIP team are currently being processed by the United States Embassy, which prevents the performance at La Onda Fest from taking place as planned,” they stated.

The diplomatic tone of the message didn’t prevent widespread disappointment. On social media, festivalgoers reacted with sadness, disappointment, and messages of support. They acknowledged the band’s efforts, but also criticized the immigration obstacles that continue to hinder Latino artists with thousands — or millions — of fans in the United States.

This is not an isolated case. Since the start of Donald Trump’s second administration, obstacles to Mexican and Latin American musicians obtaining work visas have increased, affecting tours, festivals, and cultural events. Just a few weeks earlier, Julión Álvarez had to postpone a concert at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, after his visa was suddenly revoked.

Something similar happened with the Michelada Fest, scheduled for May 3 in Chicago. This year, its organizers decided to cancel the event due to immigration uncertainty and the changing political climate. In a statement, they noted that although they tried to move forward with the event, “it became clear that we would not be able to present the full lineup as planned.” They added that the trust, time, and hard-earned money of attendees who purchased tickets meant everything to the organizers, which is why they decided to cancel.

Regional Mexican music, which has established itself as a cultural and economic engine in places with a strong Latino presence like Los Angeles, Chicago, and Texas, now faces a new obstacle: the impossibility of crossing legal borders to share its art.

For Grupo Firme and its fans, the wait continues. The administrative process for their visas — unresolved at the time of this article’s publication — is keeping their return to the American stage on hold. Meanwhile, social media is filled with messages of encouragement, solidarity, and the hope that they will soon be able to sing again without permits that limit their voices. “It’s more proof that the U.S. is actually cracking down on corridos,” says one of the hosts of the Mitú media outlet in a video posted on TikTok.

In the same video, his co-presenter adds: “As a music lover, fan, and a human in the United States, who grew up learning about the First Amendment — which is the freedom of speech — this is wild to me. This is very alarming.” She then wonders aloud: “With all these visas being revoked, are these artists going to sing the usual music, or create the usual songs they’re used to creating?” She concludes her reflection with a resounding statement: “Honestly, where I’m not invited, I don’t go.”

Why is the US revoking visas?

The State Department can revoke any type of visa, at any time, for any reason it deems appropriate and “consistent with the public interest.” And it doesn’t have to explain why. Although common reasons include links to criminal activity, corruption, or national security, the list can be extensive. Even those affected don’t know for sure.

List of singers who have been affected

The list of Mexican and Latin American musicians whose visas to enter the United States have been denied or revoked continues to grow. Below are some of the most well-known names affected by these restrictions:

• Grupo Firme: They canceled their headline performance at the La Onda festival on June 2. The reason: their visas and those of their team are “under administrative process.” The announcement came hours before the show.
• Julión Álvarez: was forced to postpone a concert at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, after his visa was suddenly revoked. There was no official explanation.
• Javier Rosas: The singer from Sinaloa has faced repeated immigration issues that have prevented him from performing in the United States.
• Los Alegres del Barranco: The group has reported multiple difficulties in crossing the border, affecting the fulfillment of its agenda.
• Lorenzo de Monteclaro: Despite his decades-long career, the norteño music icon has faced immigration restrictions that have limited his presence on American stages.

The list of established figures, emerging artists, and rising talents all share one common trait: they sing in Spanish and sell out concerts, stadiums, and festivals in the United States.

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