Nebraska concerts canceled after Czech musician denied entry into U.S.

Several concerts in Nebraska featuring a Czech musician had to be canceled after the man was refused entry into the country earlier this week because of a documents issue.

Jaroslav Skuta, a clarinetist from the Czech Republic, was scheduled to play four concerts - Saturday in Wilber, Sunday in Omaha, Monday in Lincoln and Tuesday in Fremont.

But he posted Friday morning on the International Clarinet Association’s Facebook page, saying that he had been detained by immigration officials at the airport in Detroit and refused entrance to the country.

“For hours I was in their custody – phone and all devices confiscated, very rude bullying interrogation, threatening me with jail time. After (a) couple hours of this, they ultimately ordered to send me back home to Prague,” Skuta wrote.

“I had proper documents for the projects I was invited to – I was supposed to visit multiple Czech communities in Nebraska and Ohio with my friends there and perform chamber recitals in their community spaces and churches. This was planned as like sharing Czech classical music with Czech communities in the U.S.,” he wrote.

The immigration office didn't believe me and they were ready to be done with me from the start. It was (a) devastating experience, but I hope I could come to the U.S. in the future when the country administration changes.”

Officials from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, however, said in a statement that Skuta did not have the proper documentation, which is why he was refused entry.

A CBP spokesperson said Skuta claimed to be entering the U.S. for tourism.

"During inspection, it was determined he had misrepresented the purpose of his travel and was actually scheduled to perform at multiple events as a professional musician," the spokesperson said.

"Performing in the United States constitutes work and requires the appropriate employment-based visa. Skuta did not have the required visa, was refused entry, and returned on the next available flight."

The concerts were organized by the Czech Culture and Education Foundation of Nebraska.

Steve Steager, the foundation’s president, said he was actually on his way back from a trip to the Czech Republic on Monday when he got an email from a Lincoln-based pianist who was going to be part of the concerts saying that Skuta had been detained.

Steager said that though his foundation is fairly new and had never worked with Skuta before, “I know that he has been in the United States before.”

He also said the foundation within the past year had brought two bands from the Czech Republic to perform in Nebraska and had not had any problems.

Immigration enforcement has increased significantly since Donald Trump became president and there has been anecdotal evidence that more and more valid visa holders are being denied entry for things such as not allowing immigration agents to search their electronic devices or having a history of criticizing the U.S. government.

Steager said both the Czech consulate in Chicago and the Czech ambassador were notified about the situation and were looking into it, but he said his foundation doesn’t want to get into any of the “political ramifications” of the incident.

“We do want to make sure that anyone who comes to perform has the correct documentation so that this doesn’t happen again,” he said.