American indie band DIIV was forced to cancel their Latin American tour after drummer Ben Newman was removed from a plane by ICE due to a past armed robbery conviction, sparking controversy and leaving fans stunned.

What was supposed to be a celebration of music and a major international tour has devolved into a whirlwind of legal chaos, controversy, and abrupt cancellations.

The American indie band DIIV has been forced to cancel the Latin American leg of their tour after their drummer, Ben Newman, was forcibly removed from a plane by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers, shocking fans and sparking debate across social media.

The incident, which unfolded just as the band was preparing to depart for Mexico, came as a complete surprise to bandmates and crew.

Newman was reportedly escorted off the plane and detained due to unresolved legal issues stemming from a criminal conviction in his past — a detail that, until now, had remained largely out of the public eye.

The move halted the band’s plans instantly and left thousands of fans in limbo as they awaited news of what went wrong.

DIIV, formed in Brooklyn in 2011 and known for its dreamy shoegaze sound, has been riding a wave of critical acclaim with their latest album and was looking forward to connecting with their international fanbase.

Instead, they found themselves issuing a public apology and attempting to navigate a media firestorm.

The band took to Instagram to express their devastation and frustration over the incident, stating that their disappointment is immeasurable — not only for the fans who were excited for the tour, but for the internal disruption caused by Newman’s sudden legal entanglement.

Though the band initially refrained from giving full details about the situation, news began to surface revealing that Newman’s past included a conviction for armed robbery — a serious offense that appears to have triggered his removal from the flight.

ICE agents reportedly acted on this criminal history, which under U.S. and international law can affect a person’s ability to enter foreign countries, especially when traveling under a work visa or with pending background checks.

While Newman had served his sentence and reintegrated into society through his work in music, this incident underscores the lingering consequences of a criminal record — especially in an era where international travel and immigration enforcement are increasingly scrutinized.

For fans, however, the reaction has been mixed. Some have expressed outrage at what they view as unnecessary and humiliating treatment of the musician, while others argue that the band should have been more transparent about Newman’s past, especially knowing it could impact travel.

Within hours of the incident, hashtags like #DIIVTourCancelled and #JusticeForBen began trending on X (formerly Twitter), as fans around the world debated whether the band was being unfairly targeted or if this was simply the consequence of negligence.

Music critics and insiders were quick to point out how rare — but not unheard of — it is for artists to be detained or banned from entry due to past legal issues.

Several high-profile performers over the years, including Chris Brown and Busta Rhymes, have faced similar complications when trying to tour internationally.

The band now faces a difficult path forward. The cancellation not only disrupts their touring schedule but may also affect their long-term relationships with international promoters, agents, and venues.

Refunds are being processed, and future dates remain uncertain. The emotional toll has also been evident, with the band admitting the entire ordeal has been “a punch to the gut.”

In the wake of the controversy, many are calling for a broader conversation about rehabilitation, transparency, and how past crimes should be weighed against present actions.

Newman, who had been with DIIV since 2020, has not made a personal statement, though close sources suggest he is cooperating with legal counsel and ICE officials to resolve the issue. Whether he will be allowed to continue touring with the band remains to be seen.

This is not the first time DIIV has faced personal and public challenges. Frontman Zachary Cole Smith has been open about his past struggles with addiction and the band has often channeled pain, healing, and personal growth into their music.

Their resilience has earned them a dedicated following, making this latest disruption all the more disappointing for those who have followed their journey.

As the dust settles, fans and industry observers alike are left with unanswered questions: Should the band have foreseen these complications and taken action earlier? Was Newman unfairly targeted?

And how will this controversy shape the future of DIIV — a band once hailed for its emotional honesty, now caught in the middle of a deeply public crisis?

One thing is clear: what began as a routine departure has turned into a headline-making ordeal. And while the music will eventually return, the fallout from this unexpected scandal is far from over.