US Immigration Policies Under Fresh Scrutiny as Members of British Band UK Subs Denied Entry

Members of the British punk rock band UK Subs have been detained in the US and subsequently denied entry.

The news comes at a time when there is increasing disquiet internationally at the apparently vindictive immigration policies being put into effect in the United States of America under President Donald Trump. Already, in March, a French scientist was denied entry to the US after immigration officers searched his phone and found messages in which he had expressed criticisms of the Trump administration.

“This measure was apparently taken by the American authorities,” Philippe Baptiste, France’s minister of higher education and research stated, "because the researcher’s phone contained exchanges with colleagues and friends in which he expressed a personal opinion on the Trump administration’s research policy.”

Now, that same policy seems to be being extended to music – a development that will send shivers down the collective spines of artists and bands all over Ireland and the UK.

UK Subs have released over 20 original albums to date (along with 17 live albums), opening with three UK Top 30 records, Another Kind of Blues (1979), Brand New Age (1980) and Diminished Responsibility (1981) the latter peaking at No.18. Their debut single 'Stranglehold' was their biggest hit, charting at No.26 in the UK singles chart.

UK Subs bassist Alvin Gibbs described the incident in a Facebook post, in which he recalls how he and his bandmates Marc Carrey and Stefan Häublein, were deported. Bizarrely, the band's vocalist and best known personality, Charlie Harper, was allowed entry. “Perhaps,” Gibbs joked, "through a Jedi mind trick or, more plausibly, encountering an immigration officer desperate to finish their shift.”

Harper played the band’s scheduled show in Los Angeles with a group of session musicians.

Gibbs – a long-standing member of the band – described landing at the LA airport with his partner, Roz.

"Roz was waved through without issue,” he recounted, "but I was told that something had flagged up, necessitating further questioning."

He was given two reasons for the ‘flagging’. He was told he had an incorrect visa – but he was also informed that there was another reason that the agents “refused to disclose."

The band, who are overtly political, have been openly critical of Donald Trump and his policies.

“I can’t help but wonder whether my frequent, and less than flattering, public comments regarding their president and his administration played a role – or perhaps I’m simply succumbing to paranoia,” Gibbs reflected.

In effect, he and his band-mates were temporarily incarcerated.

“What followed was far from pleasant,” Gibbs wrote. "Two police officers escorted me to another section of LAX, where I found Stefan and Marc already detained in a cold holding pen, along with a group of Colombian, Chinese, and Mexican detainees. My luggage, phone, and passport were confiscated.”

Having landed at 7pm LA-time, it was 4am before he was called for a follow-up interview. In all, according to his Facebook post, he was detained for over 24 hours.

"The officer conducting it was surprisingly sympathetic," Gibbs said, "Officer Jones, who, to her credit, even ventured out into the airport to find Roz, updating her on my situation and the enforced return flight I was to take. I’m truly indebted to her for that small act of decency.

“By the time we were escorted on to the flight at 8pm the next day," Gibbs added, "I had gone without sleep for well over a day, surviving only on a pot noodle and a couple of cups of tea.”

Along with many in the artistic community, there is a real fear that the US is no longer a welcoming place for anyone expressing dissent.

“Ultimately, while I never expected to be thrown out of America at the age of 67, I find myself somewhat proud of the fact. It seems my relationship with the country is over for the foreseeable future,” Gibbs concluded.

The same may be true for dozens of other artists – the only caveat being that they don’t know it yet.