Frank Ray Shares His Thoughts After Brother-in-Law Is Detained by ICE While Traveling for Thanksgiving Concert
Country singer Frank Ray.
Credit:
Tibrina Hobson/Getty
Key Points
- Frank Ray’s brother-in-law was detained by ICE on Thanksgiving despite having renewed work authorization through 2030.
- Ray criticized the immigration system, labeling it a failure that impacts hardworking families and inflicts unnecessary trauma.
- Fellow stars, including Bobby Bones, are assisting the family in connecting with immigration attorneys and support resources.
Country singer Frank Ray has publicly addressed the detention of his brother-in-law by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Thanksgiving, a situation he described as transforming a joyful family reunion into “a nightmare.”
In a detailed social media post shared on December 8, Ray disclosed that his brother-in-law, Juan Nevarez-Porras, was detained at El Paso International Airport while traveling with his 16-year-old son, Jonathan, to join family in Nashville for the holiday.
“On Thanksgiving Day, my brother-in-law and my 16-year-old nephew were stopped by TSA in El Paso,” Ray recounted. “What should’ve been a simple travel day turned into a nightmare for our family.”
Frank Ray performs at the 2025 ACM Awards on May 8.
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Ray stated that Nevarez-Porras, a foreman for Renegade Construction and owner of a granite and tile business, had recently renewed his work authorization through 2030, which he believed permitted him to travel within the United States legally.
“He was detained at security and told that there was no longer legal status to be in the country,” Ray explained, referring to government documentation from March that suggested otherwise.
Jonathan, a U.S. citizen, was held by Border Patrol agents at the airport until he was released into the care of his grandfather, while Nevarez-Porras was taken into ICE custody.
“My brother-in-law was subsequently taken away to a facility under the custody of ICE,” Ray wrote. “No warning. Just gone.”
At the time of the incident, Ray mentioned that his sister was in Nashville with three of their four children, preparing to celebrate Thanksgiving and attend the Grand Ole Opry’s 100th anniversary celebration. Instead, she received a phone call that transformed their holiday into a traumatic event.
Nevarez-Porras has lived in the U.S. for nearly 20 years and has a pending application for a green card.
In 2015, he filed a cancellation of removal application, which can allow individuals to remain in the U.S. if they prove they have lived in the country for at least 10 years without serious criminal convictions and that removal would cause hardship to U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident family members.
During the Obama administration, his immigration case was deemed low priority and subsequently closed. However, the Trump administration expanded immigration enforcement, allowing previously closed cases, including those of individuals with no criminal records, to be reopened.
Frank Ray attends the 2024 CMA Awards.
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It remains uncertain how Nevarez-Porras’s case will be classified. Ray maintains that his brother-in-law has no criminal record; however, the Department of Homeland Security presents a contrasting view. Assistant DHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated that Nevarez-Porras has a “rap sheet” that includes charges such as battery, assault, criminal trespassing, and disorderly conduct.
“In 2006, he illegally entered the U.S. in Columbus, New Mexico,” McLaughlin stated. “Work authorization does not confer any legal status in this country. Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, if you break the law, you will face the consequences. Criminal illegal aliens are not welcome in the U.S.”
Frank Ray performs at the Origins Impact Awards on Nov. 20.
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Currently, Nevarez-Porras is being held at the Otero County Processing Center in Chaparral, New Mexico, as detailed in ICE’s online detainee database.
Ray, a former police officer turned country music artist, expressed that this situation has compelled him to confront the failings of the immigration system, despite his longstanding support for law enforcement.
“There’s a difference between heroes and systems that forget people are human,” he stated. “When agencies start using predatory tactics to target hardworking families, when kids get caught in the middle, when holidays turn into trauma — that’s not safety. That’s not protection. That’s a failure of a broken immigration system.”
Ray also highlighted his pride in being a Mexican-American, declaring, “I can be a patriot and think this is wrong. Both can be true.”
In a subsequent video on December 9, Ray elaborated on his motivation to speak out, acknowledging the divisive nature of the issue but emphasizing his commitment to unite through country music.
“I contemplated so hard about posting something like this because I know how divisive it can be and I’m not here to cause any more division in the world,” he said. “I’m here to write country music and bring people together.”
Ultimately, Ray decided to share his family’s story after consulting with his sister, who supported his decision to leverage his platform.
He also acknowledged the assistance of public figures like Bobby Bones, who have connected the family with immigration attorneys and potential crowdfunding opportunities.
Ray characterized Nevarez-Porras as embodying the core values celebrated in country music, stating, “He exemplifies everything we sing about in country music: family, faith, and hard work.”
Nevarez-Porras’s wife echoed these sentiments, describing him as a dedicated father who strives to provide for their children, emphasizing his commitment to give them a better life than he had.
She shared her experience of staying in contact with Nevarez-Porras since his detention, noting that while some days are challenging, they continue to support each other and maintain their faith during this trying time.
