Mexican rapper banned from entering US after 'telling shocking lie' in his visa application
Natanael Cano, 24, a pioneer of the corridos tumbado genre, is said to have submitted a R-1 visa, which allows workers to be employed by religious organizations in the US, according to entertainment journalist Javier Ciriani.
'The authorities realized that Natanael Cano was not a member of any congregation or church, which is why they took away his documentation to travel to the United States,' Ciriani said.
The Daily Mail has reached out Cano's public relations team for comment.
Cano, whose music features a blend of Mexican regional music and trap music, obtained his first visa through a previous company and his second via his own label, CT Records, Ciriani explained.
Ciriani added that while immigration authorities were reviewing Cano's religious visa application, they noticed that he was making a profit.
'On the third renewal, which is when the U.S. authorities reviewed it in more detail, they realized that Natanael Cano wasn't a religious singer and was generating income in the country,' he said. 'Therefore, they revoked his visa for alleged fraud.'
Ceriani indicated that Cano is also being investigated for allegedly paying radio stations in Los Angeles to play his music.
Cano is the latest Mexican musician to have his US visa revoked by the Trump administration.
Superstar balladeer Julión Álvarez had his visa revoked ahead of his sold-out show AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on May 24.
It was not the first time that the 42-year-old singer has been targeted by the US government.
In August 2017, Álvarez had his visa revoked after the Department of Treasury sanctioned him and more than 20 others for their alleged ties to a Mexican drug kingpin.
He was removed from the sanctions list in 2022 and obtained a visa earlier this year.
The Mexican group Los Alegres del Barranco was also banned in April from performing in the US for glorifying infamous cartel leaders during their concerts.
The Trump administration revoked the members' work visas after they serenaded fans while displaying images of drug lords like Joaquín 'El Chapo' Guzmán.
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