In many states, Hispanic concertgoers are avoiding regional Mexican music performances for fear of immigration enforcement crackdowns.  According to regional Mexican music promoters, growing Mexican populations in the U.S. have avoided public events in order to avoid confrontations with increased immigration law enforcement.  This fear has made a significant dent in the lucrative regional Mexican music market, with audiences often wary of attending shows.

Many small American towns have developed the perception that the Hispanic population is increasing too quickly, leading to local governments passing anti-immigrant laws and adopting policies that create a harsh environment for immigrants.  In at least 18 states there are now anti-immigrant ordinances, including English-only rules. 

Simultaneously, over the past two years, the federal government has been increasing its illegal-immigrant crackdowns, which include allowing state and local jurisdictions to enforce federal immigration law and to ask for proof of legal immigration status if they have detained someone, including at DUI checkpoints.

According to many in the music industry, the immigration enforcement crackdowns, which occur at nightclubs and concerts, are usually police checkpoints, ostensibly in place to check for drunk drivers.  However, Many of the concertgoers do not have a driver's license, which they cannot obtain without proof of legal residence, and if the police stop them, they are detained for having illegal immigration status.

Police have been setting up DUI checkpoints directly in front of nightclubs or on key freeway exits. When word gets out to the Hispanic community, people simply do not go to the shows.  Word often gets out via the radio, with listeners calling in to report checkpoints or traffic stops.

As a result of dwindling audience numbers, many concert promoters and venue owners have changed the way they do business.  In many instances performers no longer receive a guarantee for their performance, but get paid by promoters according to ticket sales.