ICE Detains Utah Violinist In Visa Overstay/DUI Case, Part Of Surge Hitting Artists And DACA Holders

Utah-based violinist Donggin "John" Shin, who has performed with the Utah Symphony and Ballet West, was arrested by ICE in Colorado on Aug. 18 and is being held at the Denver Contract Detention Facility. DHS cites a long-expired visa and a 2019 DUI conviction that can void DACA protections. The local music community has organized protests and raised over $72,000 for legal fees. His hearing is set for Sept. 2 amid a broader 2025 surge in ICE arrests of visa overstays and DACA-disqualifying convictions, including other artists nationwide.