Degnis Nelson Bofill Miranda, a Cuban-born percussionist and 2022 Latin Grammy winner, was detained by ICE at Miami International Airport on August 19 after flying back from a performance in New York, and remains in immigration custody as his wife seeks help with his legal defense.
Who He Is
Bofill, 39, won the 2022 Latin Grammy for Best Folk Album for “Ancestros Sinfónico” and has served on the Latin Recording Academy’s voting body since January 2025.
His Immigration Status
Bofill legally entered the United States on April 15, 2023, but authorities say he failed to comply with the terms of his admission, putting him in violation of immigration law. His wife, Mara Delgado, said he has a pending asylum case.
Where He’s Being Held
Bofill was held for several days at the Miramar ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations office before being transferred to the Krome Detention Center in Miami-Dade County, where he remains as of this week.
The Response
Delgado has been publicly pleading for his release while a GoFundMe campaign to cover his legal defense has raised more than $50,000. It’s not yet clear when Bofill’s case will be resolved or whether he faces imminent deportation while his asylum claim is pending.
