Frank Ray Speaks Out After Brother-in-Law Is Detained by ICE While Traveling to See Country Singer on Thanksgiving

Country artist Frank Ray is sharing his frustration and heartbreak after his brother-in-law was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Thanksgiving Day — an experience he says turned a long-awaited family gathering into “a nightmare.”

In a detailed social media post on Monday, Dec. 8, Ray explained that his brother-in-law, Juan Nevarez-Porras, was detained at El Paso International Airport while traveling with his 16-year-old son, Jonathan, as they headed to Nashville to spend the holiday with family.

“On Thanksgiving Day, my brother-in-law and my 16-year-old nephew were stopped by TSA in El Paso,” Ray wrote. “What should’ve been a simple travel day turned into a nightmare for our family.”

Ray said Nevarez-Porras — born in Mexico, married to Ray’s sister Alyssa, a foreman for Renegade Construction since 2016, and owner of a granite and tile business — had renewed his employment authorization through 2030 and believed he was legally allowed to remain and travel in the United States.

“He was detained at security and told that there was no longer legal status to be in the country,” Ray wrote. “Mind you, being given government documentation issued March of this year that would make any responsible person believe otherwise.”

Jonathan, a U.S. citizen, was held by Border Patrol until he was released to his grandfather. Nevarez-Porras was taken into ICE custody.

“My brother-in-law was subsequently taken away to a facility under the custody of ICE,” Ray added. “No warning. Just gone.”

Ray said his sister was already in Nashville with three of their four children, preparing for a holiday celebration and plans to attend the Grand Ole Opry’s 100th anniversary event. Instead, she received a call that upended what should have been a joyful trip.

Nevarez-Porras has lived in the U.S. for nearly two decades and has a pending green card application. In 2015, he filed a cancellation of removal application — a type of relief for individuals who can show at least 10 years of residence, no disqualifying crimes, and that removal would burden a U.S. citizen or permanent-resident family member.

His case had been deemed low priority and administratively closed under the Obama administration. When immigration enforcement expanded under the Trump administration, some previously closed cases — including those involving individuals without criminal histories — were reopened.

Ray insisted his brother-in-law has no criminal record. However, the Department of Homeland Security offered a different account.

Assistant DHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said Nevarez-Porras has a “rap sheet” including battery, assault, criminal trespassing, and disorderly conduct.

“In 2006, he illegally entered the U.S. in Columbus, New Mexico,” McLaughlin stated. “Work authorization does not confer legal status. Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, if you break the law, you will face the consequences. Criminal illegal aliens are not welcome in the U.S.”

Nevarez-Porras is currently held at the Otero County Processing Center in Chaparral, New Mexico, according to ICE’s online detainee database.

Ray — a former police officer — acknowledged his long-standing support for law enforcement but said this incident forced him to confront what he views as deep flaws in the immigration system.

“There’s a difference between heroes and systems that forget people are human,” he wrote. “When agencies start using predatory tactics to target hardworking families… when holidays turn into trauma — that’s not safety. That’s a failure of a broken immigration system.”

He also spoke as a proud Mexican-American: “I can be a patriot and think this is wrong. Both can be true.”

In a video posted Tuesday, Dec. 9, Ray said he hesitated to speak publicly out of concern for how the country music community might react. He ultimately decided to post after discussing it with his sister, who encouraged him to use his platform.

“That’s what this post was about, was to serve her and my brother-in-law,” he said.

Ray credited several public figures — including radio host and Dancing with the Stars winner Bobby Bones — with helping connect the family to immigration attorneys and potential fundraising assistance.

He described Nevarez-Porras as someone who reflects the core values celebrated in country music. “He exemplifies everything we sing about: family, faith, and hard work,” Ray said.

Nevarez-Porras’s wife echoed that sentiment. “Juan is a great father,” she told The Tennessean, explaining that he wants the best for their daughter and three sons and has worked hard to give them opportunities he didn’t have growing up.

She said she speaks with him daily: “He calls daily, and we can do video calls. I’ve been able to visit Saturday and Sunday since he’s only an hour away.”

“Some days are better than others,” she added. “I remind him to be strong and not give up. God has his plans… I can’t imagine families who live farther away going through the same thing.”