Texas Mariachi Family Released from ICE Detention

In McAllen, Texas, on March 9, 2026, a family of Mexican asylum seekers, including three young brothers renowned for their mariachi performances, was released from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention centers after nearly two weeks in custody, following bipartisan pressure from lawmakers and public outcry over their treatment.

The Gámez-Cuéllar brothers—Antonio, 18; Caleb, 14; and Joshua, 12—along with their parents, Emma Guadalupe Cuéllar Lopez and Luis Antonio Gámez Martinez, were detained on February 25 during a routine check-in with immigration authorities in Texas. The family had entered the United States without authorization in 2023 near Brownsville, fleeing threats from cartel violence in San Luis Potosí, Mexico, according to the father. They had been complying with immigration requirements, including court dates and check-ins, and had passed a credible fear screening for their asylum claim. The mother is battling colon cancer, adding to the family's vulnerabilities.

Antonio, considered an adult, was held separately at the El Valle Detention Center in Raymondville for safety reasons related to facility policies for males without children. The parents and...