Latin Grammy-Winning Musician Detained by ICE: Wife Pleads for Release

Degnis Nelson Bofill Miranda, a Cuban percussionist and composer, encountered detention by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) upon his arrival at Miami International Airport. This occurred on August 19 following his flight from New York.

Mara Delgado, Bofill’s wife, has expressed urgent concerns about her husband’s potential deportation. She fears the uncertainty surrounding their next meeting, saying, “I’m concerned about him getting deported, because I don’t know when I will be able to see him again.”

Bofill’s transfer to the Krome Detention Center in Miami-Dade County followed several days at the Miramar ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations office. Delgado shared her distress upon learning about his detention, stating, “He landed at Miami Airport. He was coming from New York and they were waiting for him there.” She further expressed the anxiety many immigrants feel, “With everything that’s been going on, I knew it’s always a possibility with us, immigrants.”

The couple’s relationship began in Cuba, leading to their marriage in 2023, the same year Bofill migrated to the United States. He has a pending asylum case and wishes to continue the process outside detention.

An ICE spokesperson confirmed Bofill’s arrest. “Degnis Nelson Bofill Miranda, an illegal alien from Cuba, was arrested by ICE in Miami on Aug. 19 during an immigration enforcement operation. Bofill legally entered the United States on April 15, 2023, but failed to comply with the terms of his admission and is now in violation of immigration law. He will receive due process.”

Delgado seeks to highlight the musician behind the immigration issue. Bofill is recognized among his peers, having received a 2022 Latin Grammy for Best Folk Album for “Ancestros Sinfónico.” Since January 2025, he has also been part of the Latin Recording Academy’s voting body. Delgado describes Bofill as an integral member of Miami’s music community, now separated from his family and instruments due to federal custody.

In response, Delgado initiated a community-driven online fundraiser to cover legal expenses and a potential bond. Setting a goal of $60,000, she received noteworthy support from the South Florida community by Monday night. Her focus remains on securing her husband’s release as the immigration proceedings continue.

“I don’t know when I will be able to see him again,” Delgado reiterated, underscoring the personal impact of her husband’s detention.

Keywords: Immigration, Asylum Seekers, USCIS, Cuban Musician, Miami