How Trump’s Immigration Policies Could Reshape Latin Music’s Future

Latin music stands at a pivotal crossroads, as mounting immigration policies threaten its continued explosive rise in the U.S. While regional Mexican artists break records and capture global audiences, visa delays, revoked work permits, and aggressive immigrant raids cast a shadow over the genre — disrupting touring schedules, dividing fan bases, and stifling industry momentum.

From Fuerza Regida’s historic 111XPANTIA debut at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 — the highest-charting regional Mexican and Spanish-language album ever by a duo or group — to Grupo Firme and Grupo Frontera joining YouTube’s Billion Views Club this week, the demand for regional Mexican music has never been stronger.

But what happens when the people and communities who fuel this cultural movement are under fire?Should artists and the broader industry step up and take a stand? Billboard staffers tackle these pressing questions and more below.

1. Should Latin artists in particular speak out on immigration issues? How does this responsibility intersect with their roles as entertainers?

Leila Cobo: No artist has an obligation to use their platform for anything, or to speak out about anything beyond what they want to. Through the years, some artists have been very vocal on immigration issues while some have stayed quiet. It’s a polarizing issue — plus, artists who are not U.S. citizens or residents are reluctant to give opinions about immigration policies inside a country that is not their own.

However, given that most touring Latin artists today owe a debt of gratitude to a growing immigrant fan base, it feels, at the very least, disingenuous to ignore the issue and not call for basic rights. With that, I mean asking for basic decency in enforcing immigration rules – and by basic decency, I mean asking to put a stop to raids on working people and giving people due process.

Griselda Flores: These aren’t simply “immigration issues.” What we’re seeing happen across the country are aggressive raids that are, in some cases, uprooting community members who — like my parents — have been here for many years and came here to pursue the “American Dream.” Families are being ripped apart under the Trump administration in front of our eyes, hard-working people being taken away while at work or at routine immigration check-ins in an effort to meet an ambitious quota of 3,000 arrests a day.

We need to say it like it is. No artist is obligated to comment on anything, period. But I do think that our Latin community has always been there for these artists, supporting their careers, paying thousands of dollars for their shows, buying really expensive merch — so, in return, expressing some sort of message in solidarity would go a long way. At this point, if you’re a Latin artist with a platform and you’re not saying anything publicly, you’re sticking out like a sore thumb. Some Latin artists who weren’t born in the U.S. have preferred to not opine on politics or immigration policies — but when this is affecting your core fanbase, when you’re not selling tickets because some of your fans are too scared to go out, isn’t it worth speaking up then?

Sigal Ratner-Arias: I agree with Gris. These are not just mere immigrant issues. The level of pain and trauma caused by these aggressive raids is unfathomable, and is affecting thousands and thousands of people. Of course, every person and artist is free to decide whether or not to speak out, but given the magnitude of the problem and how it directly affects their community and their fan bases, their words can certainly offer some encouragement and support to those who have always been there for them.

Isabela Raygoza: No individual — famous or not — is obligated to speak out on social and political issues — however, the influence and reach of Latin artists make their voices uniquely impactful in shaping public opinion. For entertainers, the decision to address immigration issues carries deeper significance, as their art and public personas often serve as bridges that connect their audiences to cultural and social realities. 

The conversation becomes even more nuanced when distinguishing between U.S.-born Latin artists and those born in Latin American countries who require visas to perform or reside in the U.S. For immigrant artists, speaking out against immigration policies can be fraught with personal and professional risks, as their critiques could potentially jeopardize their own legal standing or career opportunities. But when artists choose to engage, they could help humanize the immigration debate, amplify marginalized voices and inspire action.

Jessica Roiz: They are not obligated to — but ideally, when it’s directly impacting their community and fan base, I would think yes they would. We’ve seen artists such as Maná, who are not even from the United States, go on social media to defend immigrants and encourage protesters to be non-violent and protest peacefully amid the ICE raids. This, for me, is a viable and compassionate way of supporting your people — those, like Griselda best said, who are the ones consuming your music and buying your concert ticket. This goes beyond immigration issues, and it truly speaks volumes when an artist uses their platform to raise awareness, advocate, or educate their followers on current social issues.

2. A handful of Latin artists like Becky G, Fuerza Regida, DannyLux, Ivan Cornejo, and Eslabon Armado are using their platforms to stand up against anti-Latino rhetoric. Do their efforts help shape public discourse around immigration and inspire broader advocacy?

Leila Cobo: Sadly, I don’t think they do. As much as we like to think that what artists say swings a voting base or changes laws, history has shown that that’s simply not the case. And that’s particularly true when the message gets emotional and strident. However, I do think that artist voices at least raise awareness among those who perhaps weren’t following the issue.

Griselda Flores: To answer the question directly, yes, it does shape public discourse and inspire broader advocacy. These are public figures who have millions of followers, one single post can start a conversation where you least expect it. That doesn’t mean it will lead to policy change, but it creates awareness, especially among young zealous fans who spend many hours on social media. I think that generation is particularly paying attention to who is saying what.

Sigal Ratner-Arias: It definitely creates awareness among their millions of followers, who today are not only Latinos. We see some of these artists really opening up about their parents or grandparents’ experiences as immigrants in this country — sharing what they left behind, how much they sacrificed and worked so that they can have the lives they do today. Many are also sharing resources and information on how to help or get help. It is, at the very least, touching and inspiring. It helps give dignity and humanity to the affected community.

Isabela Raygoza: It absolutely does. By leveraging their influential platforms to address anti-Latino sentiment and oppressive immigration policies, these artists help amplify the human side of the immigration debate, which can get lost in political rhetoric. Becky G reminding her fans that those being targeted are “human beings with rights,” can compel her millions of followers to empathize and act. Artists like Eslabón Armado, Junior H, and Cuco have taken tangible steps by dedicating concert proceeds to immigrant advocacy organizations such as CHIRLA. Similarly, band members of Las Cafeteras demonstrated resistance by taking to the streets of L.A. to perform and protest against ICE during the protests, to empower communities impacted by these policies. By blending art, activism, and philanthropy, these artists not only elevate awareness but also motivate communities to unite in finding solutions.

Jessica Roiz: 100 percent — como dice el dicho: “juntos somos más” (together we are more). Not only are they showing solidarity with the Latin community, but they are amplifying the voices of undocumented immigrants and other marginalized communities. They might lose followers, they might break brand deals for voicing their opinionn — but they are definitely raising awareness on an important issue, and that to me, is an act of bravery.

3. Meanwhile, revoked visas and canceled shows have disrupted the ability of Mexican stars like Julión Álvarez and Grupo Firme to tour in the U.S. How might these restrictions not only limit live performances but also impact the U.S. recording industry’s relationship with regional Mexican music and its growing popularity?

Leila Cobo: The effects of these restrictions are already being felt. Tours have been cancelled, performances have been cancelled, and I worry that it’s a matter of time before attendance drops because fans are afraid to go to shows and be caught in raids. It’s very alarming. I hope, however, that this doesn’t affect the recording music market, particularly in an age of streaming that allows the music to be consumed everywhere.

Griselda Flores: I wrote a whole story on this so I’m not sure what else to add. Simply put, this could potentially derail the movement of genre that had entered spaces it had never entered before and reach new audiences. Just two years ago, we were having conversations about música mexicana’s significant growth in streaming and touring. Now, the conversation has shifted so significantly that it’s heartbreaking. I think, if anything, regional Mexican will remain strong in streaming because the audience is there, no doubt about it.

Sigal Ratner-Arias: In the last few years, we were really excited to see and report on regional Mexican music achieving new highs, including on the Billboard charts and the touring scene. We’ve also covered extensively its refreshing evolution and new subgenres through a young generation of Mexican and Mexican-American acts. Overnight, we are dealing with a situation that is putting its growth at risk, temporarily. On one hand, we have visa delays or cancellations; on the other, the aggressive immigration raids could lead fans to decide to stay home for fear of being detained or deported. But música mexicana is a legacy genre that has been around for over a century and a half — it will not cease to exist because of this.

Isabela Raygoza: I believe these restrictions can definitely impact the U.S. recording industry’s relationship with regional Mexican music — a genre whose popularity has seen unprecedented growth in recent years. In the last two years, artists like Guadalajara-born Peso Pluma have shattered records on the Billboard charts. Billion-stream Tijuana band Grupo Firme has also been a powerhouse on the charts and, like Peso, has graced the cover of Billboard Magazine. Such milestones demonstrate the genre’s meteoric rise, shining a spotlight on Mexican music and positioning it as a cultural and commercial powerhouse within the U.S. music industry. Restricting these artists from touring diminishes both their ability to expand their audience and the industry’s opportunity to capitalize on the growing demand for regional Mexican music — a dynamic that continues to reshape the U.S. music landscape.

Jessica Roiz: I think what’s truly worrisome here are the live shows being impacted. This not only puts a halt on the artists promotion plan and extra income, but like Sigal said, the ongoing ICE raids are also causing fear among the community, resulting in fans not wanting to buy tickets and attend concerts. On the other hand, I feel that while the revoked visas situation gets handled (hopefully sooner than later), artists can continue using social media to promote their music and new projects, all helping keep the música mexicana genre afloat.

4. Beyond Mexican artists, overall, obtaining visas has — anecdotally — become a more protracted process. How could this affect the Latin music business overall?

Leila Cobo: It affects artists’ abilities to come perform and promote their business. We’re seeing it more and more. But, unless there’s a legal issue delaying a visa, they are being issued, so this is a relatively easy solution. Begin the process sooner. I’m an immigrant and I went through many, many visa processes before becoming a resident and now a citizen. And mind you, the process to come here was perhaps easier than that of going to many other countries. There’s a process and it takes time, and however inconvenient that may be, that’s the way it is. Plan ahead.

Griselda Flores: It’s already affecting it. It’s not business as usual. Shows will get cancelled or postponed while artists figure out their visa situations, and then it becomes a domino effect impacting not only the artist, but the promoter, venue, vendors, staff, etc.

Sigal Ratner-Arias: This is already happening and is very worrisome. In the last couple months, we’ve seen not only shows but full festivals canceled, affecting both the music industry and surrounding businesses like hotels and restaurants. Live music represents a significant source of revenue in the music industry, particularly for artists. And we expect to see more cancelations over the year.

Isabela Raygoza: It could slow everything down — from international tours to collabs between U.S. and Latin artists. If visa delays become the norm, it makes it harder for artists to connect with their fans abroad and build their global reach. For the Latin music industry, which thrives on cultural exchange and live performances, this kind of red tape could stifle growth and momentum at a time when the genre is booming worldwide.

Jessica Roiz: As I mentioned before, I think the live industry could be the most impacted one: Artists will not be coming to the U.S. to do shows, and if they do, fans might not buy tickets out of fear of going out. This will then create a domino effect, affecting artists, venues, hotels, and beyond. Same could apply for those fans who like to travel to see their favorite artists in another country — they might want to stay put during these uncertain times.

Additionally, it’s very common for artists from Colombian, Venezuela, Argentina, and other countries to come to the states on a work visa and spend some time in Miami, Los Angeles, etc, working on new music, negotiating new business deals, networking, doing shows. I can only see this as a setback in their careers and within the industry.

5. Should the broader U.S. Latin music industry play a role in standing up against immigrant raids? How can fans, labels, promoters, festivals, etc. work together to actively align with these social causes?

Leila Cobo: I am very surprised, and frankly disappointed, that the industry hasn’t come together over this in a significant way yet, Beyond the brutality of ICE actions and the demonization of the entire Latin community, the effects in our burgeoning touring industry could be huge. This affects the entire chain of business: Artists, concerts, vendors, concessions, merch, sponsorhips. We should follow the example of the farming and hospitality industry — which lobbied, showed the effects of the raids in numbers and economical impact and garnered a reprieve from raids in farms, hotels and restaurants. Demonstrations that result in vandalism or any show of violence (as happened in Los Angeles) is hugely detrimental to our cause. Of course, it’s an emotional issue. But it was to be approached from a rational standpoint. This is a question of decency, humanity, family and yes, economics.

Griselda Flores: Yes. Again, this is impacting the very community that is buying tickets to your events. Your business will be impacted, if it hasn’t been already, if people are too scared to go to shows — or if all of a sudden you have to cancel an entire festival or a show over artist visa uncertainties. I think if industry execs reached out to political leaders and spoke up about how this is impacting their business, that may move the needle. That’s the most efficient and logical way to create change, and that’s what CMN’s Henry Cárdenas told me he is doing.

Sigal Ratner-Arias: The broader U.S. Latin music industry is directly affected and should get together, like Leila pointed out, as other industries have already done. I’d like to see the industry act and show a united front, reach out to their congressmen to ask for support and stand by its artists and loyal fanbases.

Isabela Raygoza: Absolutely, the Latin music industry has a unique platform to make a real impact. Fans, labels, promoters, and festivals can come together in powerful ways — from raising funds for organizations — like CHIRLA.org, ilrc.org, Nilc.org, UnitedWeDream.org — that support immigrants, to using social media to amplify stories and voices from affected communities. Festivals could dedicate space or moments to highlight these causes, and labels/promoters can support artists who are vocal about these issues. Even small actions, like merch sales benefiting advocacy groups, can go a long way. The industry thrives on the culture and stories of immigrants, so it only makes sense to stand with them when they’re under threat. It’s about turning the power of music into meaningful change.

Jessica Roiz: I think it’s important. We’re already seeing some artists do their part on social media to raise awareness, and we’re already seeing Latin music fans hitting the streets to protest. Grupo Frontera even pledged to donate proceeds from its new album sales to help these efforts. Anything helps the cause, and if more artists, record labels, concert promoters, and industry leaders unite, the impact will be bigger and stronger, and can potentially strike a chord and incite actual change regarding the current immigration policies.