Wilber Concert Canceled After Czech Musician Denied Entry to U.S.

By Gordon Hopkins A Saturday concert in Wilber was canceled after immigration authorities refused a clarinet player from the Czech Republic into the country.The concert was one of a series scheduled for multiple Nebraska cities, including Omaha, Lincoln, Fremont and Wilber, known as the Czech Capital of the U.S.A.One of the musicians to participate in the concert was Jára Škuta, a Czech clarinet player. He has previously played in the U.S. Škuta posted to his account on Facebook, “This was in plans for months but…Detroit airport immigration office detained me. For hours I was in their custody - phone and all devices confiscated, very rude bullying interrogation, threatening me with jail time. After couple hours of this they ultimately ordered to send me back home to Prague.” “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 (sic) classical music with Czech communities in the US,” wrote Škuta. “The immigration office didn't believe me and they were ready to be done with me from the start…It was devastating experience, but I hope I could come to the US in the future when the country administration changes…” Youssef Fawaz of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Media Relations Division issued a statement, “On July 1, Jaroslav Skuta arrived at Detroit Metro Airport claiming 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. Performing in the United States constitutes work and requires the appropriate employment-based visa. Škuta did not have the required visa, was refused entry, and returned on the next available flight.”

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