While it’s all speculation, and there’s no shortage of Reddit convo, I find it absolutely disgraceful that a band of Rush’s size and influence would be forced to postpone their Fort Worth show last night, due to border crossing issues from Mexico into the United States, given the 4 day gap between shows. We’ve heard about many foreign, non-white artists facing issues, but this is the first I’ve heard of white foreign musicians getting fucked over since Dickwad term 2.0.

Yes, I understand there is much increased border traffic with the World Cup. Despite that, it still doesn’t make sense to me.

As I understand, commercial cargo goes in a special line. All of these logistics are pre-determined, industry standards. I’d imagine it was some dickwad CBP officer, or more than one, abusing their authority by forcing a unnecessarily detailed search, and fucking over thousands of fans in the process. I feel so badly for everyone whose plans were needlessly disrupted. Like Rush’s production crew is going to be smuggling desperate migrants and bricks of fentanyl? My eyes couldn’t roll further back if I tried. Give me a break! Critical thinking, folks…

Arbitrary and haphazard enforcement of immigration law, or any law, is bad fucking news anywhere it happens. If the MAGA xenophobes weren’t in charge, I’m highly confident this never would have happened. Stronger guardrails on blatant abuse of officer discretion desperately needs improvement.

Rush gets the most elite non-immigrant visas available at USCIS, surely either a P1-B or O1-B visa, with their crew and production easily getting O2 visas. They’ve crossed into the U.S. more times than their passports have room for stamps. There’s zero reason there should have been any issues!

They’re lucky they are white, and were wise to keep their liberal politics on the DL, because many artists have been subject to blanket country bans, and those who aren’t, even the most elite foreign artists, face immigration issues.

I hope the next administration totally changes the tune at DHS to be pro-immigrant, and keeps the focus on legitimate national security concerns, like stopping terrorists at TSA, not fucking over regular (and extraordinary) noncitizens alike.