Colombian DJ and husband detained by ICE at Chicago airport, later released on bond
Aug 19, 2026·Location: Chicago, IL
Country of origin: Colombia

Omar David Panqueva, a Colombian DJ known as DJ Tunjo, and his husband Santiago Páez were arrested by ICE agents at Chicago's Midway International Airport as they prepared to fly out and join reggaeton star Karol G's tour for DJ after-parties. The couple, both members of the LGBTQ+ community, had applied for asylum due to persecution they faced in Colombia and held work permits while their case was pending, though their visas had expired in 2022. Panqueva had recently performed at Chicago's Fiesta del Sol and the Sueños music festival and was planning a tour to Washington, D.C., Las Vegas, and Los Angeles. He described being 'chained, handcuffed on a bus with bars' during the arrest. The couple was held in Indiana and released on bond on August 12 after supporters rallied around them, with their immigration case continuing in court and a hearing scheduled for August 19.
Timeline
Sources
- Chicago-based DJ Tunjo and partner in ICE custody after arrest at Midway Airport
- Chicago Tribune
- Sueños DJ, husband detained by immigration agents at Midway Airport despite pending asylum case
Chicago Sun-Times·Aug 7, 2026·archived copy
- Chicago DJ Tunjo Was Ready To Host Karol G After-Parties. Then, ICE Arrested Him And His Husband
blockclubchicago.org·Aug 6, 2026·archived copy
- Colombian DJ and his husband detained by ICE before embarking on a tour tied to Karol G’s concerts
english.elpais.com·Aug 7, 2026·archived copy
- DJ TUNJO and husband released from ICE custody as supporters rally around the couple: ‘Chicago gave us a hug’
Yahoo News·Aug 19, 2026·archived copy
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