Cuban-American singer Gloria Estefan sharply criticized President Donald Trump's immigration policies during a press conference at the Viña del Mar International Song Festival in Chile. She urged Latinos to unite and speak out against abuses. She highlighted the actions of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency and their effects on families and undocumented contributors.
At a press conference ahead of her Sunday performance at the Viña del Mar International Song Festival in Chile, Cuban-American singer Gloria Estefan voiced strong opposition to the persecution of immigrants in the United States under President Donald Trump. She focused on the operations of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, known as ICE, which have resulted in several civilian deaths.
"One thing is trying to catch criminals and people who are harming a country, and another thing is conducting raids on families, children, and people who have contributed greatly to the well-being of the country and who do not use public resources," Estefan stated. She noted that undocumented individuals pay taxes, run businesses, and enrich the cultural mix of the United States, adding that "anyone who is in the United States is an immigrant."
Estefan called for Latino unity: "Uniting as Latinos in the United States is important and showing up when you see something that is not right. Speak up. This is not part of our great country. These are truly difficult times all over the world." She referenced recent incidents, including the murder of two people, and stressed the importance of sharing cultures for the world's beauty.
The singer recalled her debut at the festival 44 years ago, one of the times her "legs were shaking" from nerves. She returns to give affection to the audience, with the greatest prize being that they leave entertained, dancing, and forgetting their problems for a moment. Estefan will open the evening, followed by Chilean comedian Stefan Kramer and Italian singer Matteo Bocelli.
