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Deportation looking increasingly likely for local DJ/artist Kutmah

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Despite the fund-raising events and online petitions circulated by Justin McNulty’s supporters, Pop & Hiss has learned that deportation looks increasingly likely for the well-respected artist and DJ better known as Kutmah. Late last week, a judge denied a motion to reopen the immigration case of the 34-year-old Los Angeles resident and English national, who was detained by armed agents from the Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement division on May 5.

At press time, McNulty’s attorney and friends and family were exploring options to save the artist from being deported to Great Britain, but according to parties close to the case, barring a last-minute intervention from a well-placed political figure, McNulty will be transported from the federal immigration center in Chaparral, N.M., to his country of birth, upon receiving his passport — expected to arrive in the next few days.

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“The odds of [Justin] McNulty getting to stay are slim, but everyone is still keeping a faint hope alive,” said Gaby Hernandez, a longtime friend who has spoken with McNulty over the course of his detainment. “It’s been an obviously difficult period for him, but I think that when the final word comes in and he’s completely out of limbo, he’ll be have a positive attitude and his outlook will brighten.”

In an effort to help defray his legal costs, his supporters are mounting a free Kutmah benefit on June 3 at the Echoplex, featuring performances from Dam-Funk, Daedelus and the Gaslamp Killer.

-- Jeff Weiss

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