Peso Pluma and Natanael Cano Could Be Banned From the US Over Their Narcocorridos Lyrics

No red carpet awaits those whose lyrics describe bloodshed, power, and survival in the world of cartels. Artists like Peso Pluma and Natanael Cano are now in the crosshairs of a sweeping immigration crackdown, their lyrics cited as cause for visa revocation under new policies targeting narcocorridos.

The consequences are already in motion. Over 800 visas have been canceled in recent weeks. Among the first to be affected was the band Los Alegres del Barranco, whose performance in Jalisco included images of fugitive cartel leader El Mencho. Their visas were pulled days later, setting a precedent that now threatens others in the same genre.

Narcocorridos Are In Danger

Peso Pluma, with an audience of 42 million monthly Spotify listeners, and Natanael Cano, known for songs like “Ch y la Pizza,” are among the highest-profile names at risk. Both have scheduled shows across the United States in the coming weeks, including performances in Austin and New York. But those plans may now be in jeopardy.

Their music often narrates the lives of those operating in the shadows—figures connected to drug trafficking and organized crime. Authorities claim that these narratives celebrate violence and criminality. The U.S. government has now classified six Mexican cartels as terrorist organizations, and artists seen as glorifying them are being reviewed with new scrutiny.

According to Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, “The last thing we need is a welcome mat for people who extol criminals and terrorists.” The message is as sharp as it is strategic.

I’m a firm believer in freedom of expression, but that doesn’t mean that expression should be free of consequences. A Mexican band, “Los Alegres del Barranco,” portrayed images glorifying drug kingpin “El Mencho” — head of the grotesquely violent CJNG cartel — at a recent concert… pic.twitter.com/neSIib7EC4

— Deputy Secretary Christopher Landau (@DeputySecState) April 2, 2025

The result could be more than canceled performances. For artists who rely heavily on the U.S. market, this threatens income, exposure, and long-term access. Cano’s fan base includes a sizable U.S. following, and much of Peso Pluma’s international reach depends on performances in American cities.

Art or Endorsement?

The response has stirred fierce debate. Critics argue that using immigration policy to police lyrics is a threat to freedom of expression. Mike Vigil, a former DEA official, questioned the direction publicly. “Is singing a narcocorrido a crime?” he asked in an interview with Milenio. “They’re looking for any excuse to limit Hispanic [Latino] access.”

Vigil also noted the hypocrisy in the crackdown. “Here we have rappers and singers who talk about killing police or drug trafficking. Many of them sing about worse things, and there are no actions taken against them,” he said. The argument is not about silencing offensive content, but about unequal consequences.

The concern goes deeper than music. If performers can be barred from entry over the content of a song, what does that mean for protest music, satire, or the many ways artists explore and critique power?

Narcocorridos are often gritty and graphic, but their stories reflect realities that exist far outside the studio. For some, the lyrics are storytelling rooted in survival and the blurred lines of life under threat. For others, they are viewed as endorsements of violence.

That distinction, once left to the listener, is now being decided by immigration officers.

As the pressure mounts, artists in the genre are being forced into silence — or exile. For those who built careers on telling hard truths through music, the space to do so is growing smaller. Whether audiences agree with the lyrics or not, the broader question remains: when does storytelling become a threat?

And who decides?