Celebrated Mariachi Students Separated in Texas ICE Detention

Two brothers who performed on Capitol Hill now face deportation after being detained by ICE in South Texas.

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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Two teenage brothers, Antonio and Caleb Gámez-Cuéllar, who were recognized last summer for their talent as part of their high school's mariachi band on Capitol Hill, have since been detained by ICE in South Texas. The brothers, ages 18 and 14, are now being held in separate detention centers, facing deportation, after their family was detained in February while attending a required check-in with ICE.

Why it matters

The detention of the Gámez-Cuéllar brothers, who were praised for their musical talents and invited to perform on Capitol Hill, has raised concerns about immigration enforcement practices that separate families and target individuals who are actively engaged in legal processes like asylum claims.

The details

According to reports, the Gámez-Cuéllar family, including the two brothers and their parents, entered the U.S. on an asylum claim at the border in Brownsville in 2023. The family had been attending required check-ins with ICE and was told their next court date would be in June 2026. However, when the family went to the check-in on February 25, they were detained by ICE. The brothers have now been separated, with 18-year-old Antonio held at a facility over 200 miles away from his 14-year-old brother Caleb, who is being held with their parents and 12-year-old sibling at the Dilley detention center.

  • In June 2025, the Gámez-Cuéllar brothers performed with their high school mariachi band on Capitol Hill.
  • On February 25, 2026, the Gámez-Cuéllar family was detained by ICE during a required check-in meeting.

The players

Antonio and Caleb Gámez-Cuéllar

Two teenage brothers, ages 18 and 14, who were members of the McAllen High School Mariachi Oro and were recognized for their musical talents on Capitol Hill.

U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro

A Democratic congressman from Texas who has spoken out about the detention of the Gámez-Cuéllar family and plans to visit the Dilley detention center.

U.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz

The Republican congresswoman who represented Texas' 15th congressional district and hosted the event on Capitol Hill where the Gámez-Cuéllar brothers performed.

Luis Antonio Martínez

The father of the Gámez-Cuéllar family, who said the family entered the U.S. on an asylum claim in 2023 and had been attending required check-ins with ICE.

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What they’re saying

“Where is their Congresswoman now? How are they good enough, safe enough, excellent enough to perform at the Capitol and visit the White House but still deserve to be locked up at Dilley?”

— Joaquin Castro, U.S. Representative (Twitter)

“Enforcement resources should be focused on individuals with criminal records - a secure border and commonsense policies must go hand-in-hand.”

— Monica De La Cruz, U.S. Representative (Twitter)

What’s next

Congressman Joaquin Castro is scheduled to visit the Dilley detention center on Monday to check on the safety of the Gámez-Cuéllar family and explore options to assist them.

The takeaway

The detention of the celebrated mariachi students highlights the complex and often harsh realities of the U.S. immigration system, where talented individuals can face separation from their families and deportation despite following legal processes. This case underscores the need for comprehensive immigration reform and policies that balance security concerns with compassion for families seeking asylum.