The Mavericks frontman Raul Malo was born and raised in Miami by parents who had fled Cuba and is worried about a change in government policy that would see him expelled from the country
The lead signer of The Mavericks has voiced his fears about potentially being deported from the US, despite being a Florida native.
Crooner Raul Malo, 59, born and bred in Miami to Cuban parents who sought refuge in the city. But now he is apprehensive that shifts in government policy could strip his mother of her “naturalized citizenship”. This could leave him in a precarious situation as an “illegal birthright citizen”, possibly resulting in his expulsion from his birth country.
In a heartfelt Instagram post commemorating America’s Independence Day, Raul wrote: “Dear America, today is the day we celebrate you and what you used to stand for.”
He lamented the fading significance of the phrase ‘liberty and justice for all’, stating: “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.”
He expressed his disappointment at the current state of affairs, writing: “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 further added: “Some will tell me that I should leave the country or my favourite – ‘shut up and sing’. (A statement so void of any sense that it is impossible to execute)”.
He said: “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.”
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
