The legendary British punk band U.K. Subs recently faced a significant setback when three of their key members were unjustly denied entry into the United States. Bassist Alvin Gibbs has expressed strong suspicions regarding the reasons behind this unfortunate incident, shedding light on the complexities surrounding their immigration challenges.

In a detailed Facebook post shared last Wednesday, which you can view below, Gibbs recounted the troubling experience where he, drummer Stefan Haublein, and guitarist Marc Carrey were held at immigration control. This unexpected situation led to vocalist Charlie Harper performing with a different band at the L.A. Punk Invasion on March 15, highlighting the unpredictability of international touring for artists.

While multiple factors may have contributed to their detention, Gibbs speculates that their critical views of former President Donald Trump played a role in their inability to enter the country, raising questions about the intersection of politics and music in the current climate.

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Did Political Views Lead to U.K. Subs’ Detention at Immigration?

Gibbs elaborated on the distressing ordeal in his Facebook update. “Some of you might have seen posts on U.K. Subs’ official websites, which showcase photos and videos of a makeshift lineup performing with Charlie at the recent Los Angeles Punk festival,” he explained. “You might be asking, ‘What happened?’ The reality is that Stefan, Marc, and I were denied entry into the USA while somehow — perhaps due to a stroke of luck or a sympathetic immigration officer — Charlie managed to gain entry.”

He further recounted his experience: “After an exhausting 11-hour flight, upon reaching the immigration booth with my partner Roz, we were informed that she could proceed, but my entry had been flagged for additional questioning. They cited two primary concerns: firstly, that I lacked the correct visa for entry, and secondly, another undisclosed issue that barred my admission into the U.S.”

Gibbs expressed his worries about whether his outspoken criticism of the administration and Trump had influenced their decision, stating, “I can’t help but wonder if my regular, candid critiques of their president and his policies were factors in this situation; or perhaps I’m just being paranoid. I was then escorted by two officers to a separate area of LAX, where I found both Stefan and Marc alongside other detainees from Colombia, China, and Mexico.”

He also shared the hardships he faced during his detention, revealing that he was forced to wait overnight at the airport without access to his luggage, phone, or passport. Ultimately, he spent a grueling “25 hours without sleep, surviving on just a pot noodle and a few cups of tea. Meanwhile, Roz was stuck waiting for me at the airport the entire time.” He was eventually placed on an 11-hour flight back to his residence in France, reflecting on the ordeal with a mix of disappointment and resilience.

“I’m deeply saddened that the authentic U.K. Subs were unable to deliver the performance and diverse setlist we had meticulously prepared, which the audience truly deserved,” Gibbs expressed. He acknowledged the efforts of the musicians who stepped in last minute to perform with Charlie, stating, “I feel a strange sense of pride in being ejected from America at the age of 67, realizing that my relationship with the country may be permanently altered. Perhaps that’s why the chorus of track 3, side 1 of the first Clash album keeps echoing in my mind.”