Mexican singer Julión Álvarez has postponed his highly anticipated concert at Arlington’s AT&T Stadium after U.S. authorities revoked his work visa and those of his band members. The performance, scheduled for May 24, 2025, was expected to draw approximately 50,000 fans.
Álvarez announced the visa revocation in a video posted on his Instagram account, expressing regret over the cancellation and indicating that he was not provided with a specific reason for the decision. He stated that part of his production team was already in North Texas preparing for the sold-out concert. The U.S. State Department declined to comment on the matter, citing the confidentiality of visa records.
This incident marks a renewed scrutiny of Mexican entertainers with alleged ties to criminal organizations. In 2017, Álvarez was sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department for alleged connections to a cartel allied with the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), leading to the cancellation of a scheduled U.S. tour. Álvarez denied all allegations of ties to the cartels. In June 2022, the sanctions were removed, and he was permitted to re-enter the U.S. to perform. However, the recent visa revocation suggests that he is once again under U.S. government scrutiny.
The visa revocation follows similar actions against other Mexican musicians and political figures suspected of having links to drug trafficking groups. Recently, visas were revoked for members of Los Alegres del Barranco after they projected the image of Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, alias “El Mencho,” during a concert. El Mencho is the leader of Mexico’s CJNG, which has been designated a terrorist organization by the U.S. government.
Despite the setback, Álvarez’s promoter, Cárdenas Marketing Network (CMN), assured fans that efforts are underway to reschedule the concert. Approximately 50,000 tickets had been sold for the event, and CMN confirmed they would remain valid for the new date.
Álvarez’s case underscores the broader U.S. effort to target corruption and cartel associations among Mexican elites. These enforcement actions align with the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) initiatives to curb organized crime, despite resistance from the Mexican government.
As fans await further updates, the incident highlights the ongoing complexities at the intersection of entertainment, politics, and international relations.