From ICE detention to center stage: The Texas mariachi brothers opening for Kacey Musgraves

Antonio, Joshua, and Caleb Gámez-Cuéllar stand in front of Gruene Hall ahead of their performance as an opening act for country singer Kacey Musgraves in New Braunfels, Texas on May 4, 2026. The three brothers were recently detained by ICE along with their parents and held for 13 days at the detention center in Dilley, Texas. Brenda Bazán for NPR hide caption toggle caption Brenda Bazán for NPR NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas — Outside of the iconic Gruene Hall, often called Texas' oldest continuously operating dance hall, men and women wearing cowboy hats and boots start lining up. They are there early to see country superstar Kacey Musgraves debut her latest album "Middle of Nowhere." But heads turn when the Mariachi brothers Antonio, Caleb, and Joshua Gámez-Cuéllar walk past — wearing their charro suits, with embroidered white and blue florals, and their big, red bow ties. Joshua and Antonio Gámez-Cuéllar tune their instruments at Gruene Hall ahead of their opening act for Kacey Musgraves' concert in New Braunfels, Texas on May 4, 2026. Brenda Bazán for NPR hide caption toggle caption Brenda Bazán for NPR The brothers, ages ranging from 12 to 18, have been playing mariachi music together for years. And this week they, along with their dad Luis Gámez Martínez, opened for Musgrave's three sold-out shows in New Braunfels, Texas. "It was incredible," 18-year-old Antonio told NPR after the first show. "I loved it. …