Chicago DJ Omar David Panqueva, known as DJ TUNJO, and his husband Santiago Páez were taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement at Chicago Midway Airport on Aug. 2, 2026, as they prepared to board a flight to Washington, D.C. for after‑party events tied to singer Karol G.
ICE agents intercepted the pair just before boarding, citing their pending asylum applications. Both men had entered the United States seeking protection and were awaiting a decision on their claims when the detention occurred.
The couple spent several days in federal custody before a judge set bail, allowing their release last week. Their freedom enables them to resume the legal process that will determine their eligibility for asylum.
While detained, Panqueva and Páez were unable to fulfill their scheduled appearances at the afterparties, an event that had drawn attention from fans of the Colombian star. Their removal from the flight underscores the ongoing enforcement actions that can affect individuals with unresolved immigration status.
Legal representatives for the pair have indicated that the case will proceed through immigration court, where the asylum claims will be examined on the basis of the applicants’ stated fears of persecution in their home country. No further details of the hearing schedule have been released.
The incident adds to a series of recent detentions of travelers at Midway Airport, prompting community groups to monitor similar cases. Panqueva and Páez remain in Chicago as they continue to pursue protection under U.S. asylum law.