Popular Selena tribute singer detained by ICE

Although the Tejano music icon Selena died in 1995, she remains in the news (and here). A popular Selena tribute artist was detained this week by immigration officials in south Texas.

Karol Posadas, who has portrayed the late Tejano icon for several years with her family band, was released on Friday after being held since November 2.  Born in Guatemala, Posadas grew up in California.  She portrays Selena with the band, Anything For Salinas.  While traveling on tour in south Texas, she was taken into custody at Valley International Airport in Harlingen.

A GoFundMe page established for the singer’s legal defense says: “She has been kept at an overcrowded facility in El Valle, and forced to sleep on the floor, denied access to basic personal care products, and denied medical attention for her heart condition, that jeopardizes her health and for which she needs treatment.”

ICE confirmed that it released the singer yesterday:  “On Nov. 8, 2019, ICE released Karol Bala-Posada on an order of supervision. Her immigration proceedings are ongoing.”

Posadas is a DACA recipient from Guatemala who entered the U.S. at a young age.  Her GoFundMe page says “Karol is a DACA recipient, she is an outstanding person, with no criminal record, who was brought to this country by her family at a young age, to escape the dangers and threats of her home country Guatemala.”

KJ