Colombian couple arrested by ICE at Chicago airport due to expired visas

Colombian citizens David Panqueva, known as DJ Tunjo, and his husband Santiago Páez were arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on August 2, 2026, as they disembarked from a ride-share vehicle outside Chicago's Midway International Airport. The couple was preparing to board a flight to Washington D.C. to continue a tour following Karol G's concerts.

According to a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokesperson, the detention stemmed from expired visas. Páez's visa had lapsed in September 2022, while Panqueva's expired in March of the same year, placing both individuals under deportation proceedings.

Panqueva described the experience as difficult, recounting being handcuffed and shackled. "Seeing my hands cuffed, our bodies chained from the waist to our ankles. Seeing ourselves in this situation was very difficult. Not having our freedom for about ten days was really difficult," he shared in an Instagram video. The couple was transferred to Indiana, where they remained in custody for nearly two weeks.

During their detention, family members initiated legal efforts and a GoFundMe campaign to cover immigration process costs and maintain contact. Silvia Páez, Santiago's sister, mentioned that agents initially suggested the situation could be resolved quickly, but the detention extended significantly. She credited community support for helping raise necessary funds.

Panqueva entered the U.S. in 2021, and Páez in 2022. Both had filed asylum claims alleging persecution in Colombia and had legal representation for their immigration cases. In Chicago, Panqueva established himself as a DJ, participating in various music events, while he and Páez co-founded La Mesa Presents, an initiative focused on organizing activities for the Latino community. Their arrest prompted reactions from artists and organizations within the Chicago music scene.