Summary
Longtime Utah violinist Donggin Shin, known as John, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Colorado. The music community is showing support for him after his arrest due to overstaying his visa and a 2019 DUI conviction. Shin's wife started a GoFundMe to help with legal fees, and musicians are protesting his detention.
Key Facts
- Donggin Shin, a violinist, was detained by ICE in Colorado on August 18, 2025.
- He overstayed his visa, and was previously convicted of a DUI in 2019.
- Shin is being held at the Denver Contract Detention Facility in Aurora, Colorado.
- Musicians are protesting his detention by performing at the Utah State Capitol.
- Shin has been part of the Utah Symphony and other music groups.
- His wife, DaNae Shin, started a GoFundMe page that raised over $72,000 for legal expenses.
- Shin originally came from South Korea and entered the U.S. on a tourist visa in 1998.
- He was later part of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
