The Mavericks frontman Raul Malo fears he could be deported from the US despite being born in Florida
The 59-year-old singer was born and raised in Miami by parents who had settled in the city after fleeing Cuba, but Raul is worried changes in the government policy could mean his mother might be stripped of her "naturalized citizenship" and it would leave him facing an uncertain future as he could be ruled an "illegal birthright citizen" and forced to leave the country of his birth
11 July 2025
In a post on Instagram to mark America's Independence Day, Raul wrote: "Dear America, today is the day we celebrate you and what you used to stand for.
"The words 'liberty and justice for all' have faded into a distant past.
"To some of us those words were deeply personal. My family came here because of those words. I was born here because of those words. I have had an extraordinary life because of those words.
"And now those words have lost their meaning. They are now abstract concepts used to inflict cruelty and suffering on the unsuspecting, the weak, the sick, the poor, the needy. We can add Purple Heart war veterans to that list as several have been deported already. This is America right now."
He went on to add: "Some will tell me that I should leave the country or my favorite - 'shut up and sing'. (A statement so void of any sense that it is impossible to ex ecute)
"On the 'leaving' part ... that may come true whether I want to leave or not. The way the new law stands my mother could be stripped of her naturalized citizenship, then my sister and I would be illegal birthright citizens and away we go.
"As far as 'shut up and sing' well, clearly that's not happening. You see the thing is this is my country too. Always has been ... "
Raul concluded: "As Lady Liberty's flame dims with every atrocity committed in her name We will not be afraid of the dark. We will find the light again ...
"This isn't about politics anymore. It's about humanity. It's about all of us. We, the people. Happy Birthday America!!"
The Dance the Night Away singer was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer last year and he previously admitted talking about his health problems gave him hope.
He told NPR: "It has been a beautiful, really remarkable kind of journey. I went public with this as soon as we could, and it helped me deal with it as well.
"You know, it helped me find strength to not fear it, but tackle it head on and continue to live your life. Continue doing what you are doing."
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