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Grupo Firme, one of Mexico’s most popular bands, recently canceled their scheduled performance at the 2025 La Onda music festival in Napa, California. The cancellation surprised many fans in the U.S., especially since the band had been promoting the show for months. Grupo Firme later explained that the decision was taken due to issues with their U.S. travel visas.
The band stated that their visas were under "administrative review" by the U.S. Embassy. Because of this, they could not enter the United States to perform. Many fans were disappointed by the news, but the band said it was out of their control and that they were hopeful the issue would be resolved soon.
This is not the first time visa issues have affected artists from Mexico and Latin America. In recent months, other musicians have faced similar travel problems.
Grupo Firme’s visas are under review
Grupo Firme stated that their U.S. visas were being reviewed by the embassy. The band explained that this review was part of an administrative process that delayed their entry into the country. Without clearance, they were forced to cancel their performance at the La Onda Festival.
According to the band, the review was unexpected and came at the last minute. This left them with no time to make other plans or travel by the show date. They said they were still waiting for more information from U.S. officials.
NBC Bay Area, in a report published on May 30, 2025, confirmed that the visa issues were the main reason for the cancellation. The festival organizers also shared that they were disappointed but understood the situation. The band apologized to fans and said they hoped to return soon once the issue was resolved.
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Is the visa issue part of a wider crackdown on Mexican artists?
As reported by The Washington Post on May 30, 2025, the U.S. government has started taking a closer look at Mexican musicians. This is especially true for those linked to the “narco-corrido” genre. Some U.S. officials believe this music promotes violence and drug culture. Because of that, several artists have had their visas revoked.
Grupo Firme is one of the bands affected. Even though the band has publicly distanced itself from music that praises criminal groups, that did not stop U.S. authorities from reviewing their visas. Officials have not given a clear reason, but some believe the review is connected to the broader visa policies under the current administration.
As explained in an ABC News article dated May 30, 2025, these visa suspensions have become more common in the last few months. Other bands in the same genre have also faced similar problems.
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How has Grupo Firme responded to the situation?
As reported by the San Francisco Chronicle on May 30, 2025, Grupo Firme said they were disappointed by the cancellation. In a public statement, the band explained the visa situation and said it was out of their control. They said they followed all legal steps but were caught in a longer-than-expected process.
The band also used social media to speak directly to fans. They said they hoped to return to the U.S. soon and perform for their audience. They promised to keep fans updated and thanked them for their patience and support.
According to ABC News, the group also stressed that their music did not support or promote violence. They said their goal was to celebrate culture and bring people together. They asked U.S. officials to consider this when reviewing artist visas in the future.
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Grupo Firme’s canceled U.S. performance is tied to visa issues, now under review by the U.S. Embassy. While the exact reason has not been made public, the timing points to a broader policy trend. Some Mexican musicians are facing visa delays or cancellations due to concerns over the content of their music.
Despite distancing themselves from the narco-corrido genre, Grupo Firme has been caught in this wave. Their fans and organizers were left disappointed, but the band hopes to return once the issue is resolved.
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