Two brothers in a mariachi band who visited Congress last year were arrested by federal agents in Texas along with other family members.
Lawmakers from both parties have condemned the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcementice) decided to detain Antonio Gamez-Cuellar and Joshua Gamez-Cuellar over the weekend.
Republican Rep. Monica de la Cruz said Monday she was “doing everything I can” to address the issue. She later shared a photo with Antonio and confirmed that Antonio had been released.
Democratic Rep. Joaquin Castro Texas Mentioned that he met the brothers last year during their visit to the House of Representatives.
Castro said on ice Families are being torn apart. “
The father, Luis Antonio Martinez, told The New York Times last week that the family had sought asylum in the United States because of cartel violence in Mexico and that they had attended scheduled immigration registrations.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) told Newsweek that the family entered the United States illegally in 2023 during the Biden administration and that illegal immigrants should be detained while their cases are reviewed.
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Anyone arrested?
Antonio, 18, and Joshua, 14, were taken into custody on February 25 along with their 12-year-old brother and their parents, according to reports from those who started a GoFundMe campaign to help them.
These teens are members of McAllister High School’s Mariachi Oro Band, which had the pleasure of visiting White Houseperformed at Carnegie Hall in New York City and won eight state titles. De La Cruz noted that she invited them to the House of Representatives last year to honor their eighth victory.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) informed Newsweek that the family, which included parents Emma Guadalupe Cuellar Lopez and Luis Antonio Gamez Martinez, was arrested on February 25, saying they chose to bring their adult son and two young boys into the United States illegally.
Lawmakers accused ICE of separating Antonio’s family as he was held in separate facilities. However, Department of Homeland Security refutes claims that ICE intentionally separates families.
Castro and other lawmakers were on hand to support family members who had been detained at the Dilley Detention Center earlier Monday.
Dilley has faced heightened scrutiny in recent weeks as the Department of Homeland Security expands capacity to accommodate more families. Castro has expressed concerns about conditions there, but DHS insists the center provides a high standard of care.
