Joaquín Castro accuses "ICE is destroying families" after detention of mariachi brothers in Texas.
Key Takeaways
- Three Gámez-Cuéllar brothers and their parents were detained by ICE after a scheduled check-in, despite reportedly pursuing asylum for nearly two years.
- The parents and two minors were taken to the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley; the 18-year-old was sent to an adult facility in Raymondville, separating the family.
- The family allegedly entered the U.S. in May 2023 via CBP One, attended court hearings, and complied with appointments, according to relatives.
- Rep. Joaquín Castro criticized the detentions and said he will visit the Dilley center to push for the family’s release.
- The case has fueled criticism of Trump-era immigration policies, it has been reported.
What happened
It has been reported that three high school mariachi musicians from McAllen, Texas—Antonio, Caleb, and Joshua Gámez-Cuéllar—and their parents were detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following a routine appointment on February 25. According to family members cited by La Opinión, the Gámez-Cuéllar family has been seeking asylum and had been regularly attending immigration court hearings and ICE check-ins for nearly two years. The parents and two younger sons were taken to the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley, while 18-year-old Antonio was transferred to an adult ICE detention facility in Raymondville, resulting in a family separation. Rep. Joaquín Castro (D-TX) criticized the move, saying “ICE is destroying families,” and pledged to visit the Dilley facility to review their case and advocate for release.
Policy and process context
ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) can detain noncitizens during pending immigration proceedings, including at scheduled check-ins managed by Enforcement and Removal Operations. Asylum seekers who entered at ports of entry using CBP One—a U.S. Customs and Border Protection app launched in 2023 to schedule border appointments—may still face detention while their cases proceed. When a noncitizen turns 18 in custody or under supervision, transfer to an adult facility is standard under federal regulations, which can separate family members. The reasons for the Gámez-Cuéllar family’s custody placement have not been publicly disclosed. Supporters say the family has no criminal record and complied with all requirements; those claims have not been independently verified.
What this means for families right now
For families in asylum or removal proceedings, the case underscores the risk of detention even when attending ICE appointments and court dates. Individuals can ask counsel to accompany them to check-ins, maintain all documentation (asylum applications, hearing notices, proof of address), and explore options such as parole, bond, or alternatives to detention where eligible. Family detention at Dilley remains a significant pressure point: it keeps parents and children together in custody but can still separate 18-year-olds into adult facilities. Advocates note that public attention and congressional outreach can influence custody reviews, but outcomes hinge on case-specific factors and ICE discretion.
Source: Original Article