Degnis Bofill, a Cuban percussionist and Latin Grammy winner, has confirmed his release after spending more than two weeks detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Florida. He shared the news via his social media accounts.
In a brief Instagram video, Bofill simply announced his release on bail and expressed his gratitude, but he did not provide details regarding the circumstances of his release or his current immigration status.
He refrained from explaining the conditions of his release or what the future holds for his immigration case.
"Hello everyone, my name is Degnis Bofill. I'm making this video to announce that today I was released on bail and to deeply thank everyone who sent me messages, showed concern, contributed to GoFundMe, and to all the media that covered my story," the musician stated in the video.
"Sincerely, from the bottom of my heart, thank you very, very much," he added.
Telemundo 51 journalist Maylin Legañoa had reported the news hours before Bofill made his public statement.
The Arrest and Detention at Krome
Bofill was taken into custody by ICE agents on August 19 at Miami International Airport while returning from New York, where he attended the Latin Alternative Music Conference.
ICE claimed that Bofill entered the U.S. in April 2023 on a J-1 visa but failed to adhere to the terms of his admission.
His attorney countered this claim by stating that Bofill had applied for political asylum before his visa expired, which should have allowed him to remain in the country legally.
"With a pending asylum application, there should be no issue," the lawyer told the media.
After his arrest, the percussionist spent several days in ICE facilities in Miramar before being transferred to the Krome North Processing Center in Miami-Dade.
A Wave of Support
During his detention, his wife Mara Delgado launched a GoFundMe campaign, raising over $51,700 from more than 600 donors.
The release video sparked a flood of reactions.
Numerous artists congratulated the musician in the comments, including singers Leoni Torres, Joao del Monte, Kamankola, and Jennifer Almedia.
Actors such as Boncó Quiñongo, Claudia Valdés, Yerlin Pérez, Aly Sánchez, and Osvaldo Doimeadiós also expressed their joy.
Doimeadiós used the comments to advocate for broader solidarity: "Congratulations, I hope Andy is released soon too. A big hug," he wrote, referring to pianist Andy García Palacios, who remains in ICE custody.
Another Cuban Musician Still Detained
García Palacios was arrested on August 15 at Los Angeles International Airport, four days before Bofill, and is still held at the Adelanto Processing Center in California.
One of Bofill's first actions after gaining freedom was to share García's GoFundMe campaign on his Instagram stories.
The Immigration Context
Both cases are part of an increase in ICE operations against Cubans during the Trump administration.
According to Cato Institute data, detentions of Cubans by ICE rose by 463% between late 2024 and early 2026, and more than 42,000 Cubans have final deportation orders pending in the U.S.
Bofill, born in Manzanillo in 1987, is the founder of the group Golpes Libres and won the 2022 Latin Grammy for Best Folk Album for his work on "Ancestros Sinfónico" by Síntesis, X Alfonso, and Eme Alfonso.
Bofill's case is one of many involving Cubans detained by ICE in the United States. Stay updated on immigration news in our U.S. Immigration section.
Understanding ICE Detentions of Cuban Nationals
Why was Degnis Bofill detained by ICE?
ICE detained Degnis Bofill because they claimed he violated the terms of his admission under a J-1 visa. His attorney, however, argued that he had applied for political asylum, which should have allowed him to remain in the U.S. legally.
What is the current status of Andy García Palacios?
Andy García Palacios was detained by ICE at Los Angeles International Airport and is currently held at the Adelanto Processing Center in California. Efforts to support him are ongoing.
How have the detentions of Cubans by ICE changed recently?
There has been a significant increase in detentions of Cubans by ICE, with a reported 463% rise between late 2024 and early 2026, according to the Cato Institute.