Several International SXSW Artists Are Denied Entry Into U.S.
Affecting musicians from Italy, London, Canada, Egypt and Denmark.
Over the past week, several international artists set to perform at SXSW have been denied entry into the US due to immigration issues. Affected musicians include members of the Italian band Soviet Soviet, the London jazz group United Vibrations, Canadian/Egyptian hardcore band Massive Scar Era and Danish producer ELOQ. This has caused confusion as to what kind of visa one would need to be able to legally play at SXSW. Jonathan Ginsburg, immigration counsel to SXSW, explains:
“U.S. immigration law allows foreign nationals to enter the U.S. using a B visa or the Visa Waiver Program to conduct business, but not to render services. The U.S. Department of State, accordingly, has long recognized that entertainment groups may enter the U.S. to ‘showcase,’ but not to perform under contract with U.S. venues or other employers.”
Check out a more comprehensive and detailed report regarding the situation via Pitchfork.
