Group of musicians in Utah show support for violinist, facing deportation following years in the United States, by local authorities.

Donggin Shin, a renowned violinist in the Salt Lake City community, was detained by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on August 18, 2022. This unexpected turn of events has left his family, friends, and colleagues in shock and dismay.

Shin, a "top-shelf violinist" as described by conductor and violinist for Ballet West, Gordon, has been a cherished figure in the community for over a decade. His music-making brought joy to countless individuals, and his grit and determination created an inclusive environment for his fellow musicians.

Robert Baldwin, director of orchestras at the University of Utah, has known Shin since the violinist began his undergraduate studies at the school over 15 years ago. Baldwin expressed his shock and anger at the news of Shin's arrest, highlighting the violinist's significant contributions to the community.

Shin's wife, DaNae Shin, received a panicked phone call on her birthday regarding his arrest by ICE. In a heart-wrenching social media post, she shared that Shin said, "I love you and the kids, I will be okay, please call our attorney" before being rushed off the phone.

The circumstances leading to Shin's arrest stem from an old misdemeanor impaired driving offense. However, it's worth noting that Shin's immigration history includes his father switching to a student visa, and his DACA protections were revoked due to the 2020 impaired driving conviction, leaving him without lawful status for the last four and a half years.

Shin's family has been struggling financially and has been scrimping and saving to afford the $2,375 green card fees. Despite his eligibility for a green card, the financial burden has been a significant obstacle.

Since Shin's detention, his colleagues from the Salt Lake City area have been playing at the state Capitol each day to raise awareness and bring attention to his case. They hope to send a strong message to the administration about Shin's value to the community.

Currently, Shin is being held at the Denver Contract Detention Facility in Aurora, Colorado. His friends and supporters continue to rally for his release, hoping for a positive resolution to this unexpected turn of events.