Omar David Panqueva Rojas, known as DJ Tunjo, and his husband, Santiago Paez, were arrested Sunday by immigration authorities when arriving at Midway Airport. The couple, who have a pending asylum case, were on their way to host unofficial afterparties for Colombian superstar Karol G’s U.S. tour.
Background
DJ Tunjo and Paez are a beloved part of the Chicago community, known for their contributions to the city’s economy and culture. They have worked hard to build a platform for local Latino artists and music lovers, hosting events and parties that celebrate Latino culture.
The couple met in Colombia as teenagers and have been together for years. They are “soulmates” and each other’s first love, according to Silvia Paez, Paez’s sister. Since arriving in Chicago in 2021, they have built a life and a community, working to create a welcoming space for Latinos in the city.
Arrest and Detention
Immigration agents arrested them as they were taking their bags out of their rideshare car when arriving at Midway Airport. As of Thursday morning, they remained detained in a detention center in Indiana, where they are being held apart from each other, according to family and immigration records.
A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said Panqueva Rojas and Paez were arrested for overstaying tourist visas that allowed them to stay in the country until March 2022 and September 2022, respectively. However, Enrique Espinoza, the couple’s attorney, said they filed for asylum within a year of arriving — the allowed timeframe by law for a noncitizen to apply for asylum.
Original reporting: Block Club Chicago — read the source article.
