Mistaken Identity! Carlos Santana Deported in ICE Sting!

What began as an apparent case of mistaken identity, soon mushroomed into a full-blown crisis. 

Guitarist and Rock icon Carlos Santana, who was born in Mexico, but became an American citizen in 1965, was caught by ICE and deported to Mexico. 

Santana was told by his mother to pick up his cousin Javier at a factory in Fresno. Santana arrived shortly before immigration officials raided the factory looking for undocumented immigrants. Carlos was not carrying identification, so he was deported to Mexico.

Carlos paid a coyote to sneak him into Los Estados Unidos. Carlos was jammed in a small van with 37 others trying to gain entrance into the U.S. 

Carlos Santana Illustration By Paul King Art

Carlos spent weeks trying to get back into The United States. He lost his phone and was unable to contact anyone. He made repeated attempts to cross the border, all ending in failure. He tried coming over in a raft. He tried hiding in the upholstery of a car. He even tried mailing himself, but his attempts were thwarted.

The van was stopped by Border Patrol and Carlos and the others made a mad dash for the border. 35 of the illegals were shot and killed and 1 was arrested. Santana was the lone person to make it safely across the border. Carlos walked into the U.S backwards waving goodbye. He then was able to contact family and fly home.