ICE detains a beloved Philadelphia drag queen. The community is asking for support

Philadelphia’s drag community is rallying around drag queen Chantal Waldorf after their detention by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The performer’s official Instagram account, which also identifies Waldorf as Manuel, posted a message later shared by supporters announcing that the Nicaraguan immigrant had been taken into custody.

“As you know, since he arrived in this country, he has dedicated himself to being a hardworking person, who has dedicated himself to fulfilling his dreams and goals, who has integrated and contributed in a positive way to society, fulfilling his obligations like everyone else,” the message reads.

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“Unfortunately, today he has been arrested and is in the custody of ICE, sadly the constant fear of deportation today is coming true for Chantal and the frustration of not being able to fulfill all his dreams and stop doing what he likes most: turning his creative imagination of fashion into reality and doing drag are being taken away from him, however he still has the conviction to fight for his place in this country.”

Supporters established a Cash App account to help Waldorf financially and quickly circulated it among members of the local drag community. Many noted Waldorf’s reputation not only as a performer but also as a designer whose work has been worn by other queens.

“Words would not be able to describe my shock and horror,” Cessie Yu Link wrote in a post on The Quirky Zipper account. “Philadelphia is currently short of an incredible mind, and creative force. Chantal needs all we can send for legal support. His Cashapp will stay in my bio until Chantal is home safe.”

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Mexican drag performer Lushious Massacr posted on X, “RELEASE CHANTAL!!! #ICEOUT”

Philadelphia-based artist Aubrey Firedrill also wrote on X, “Chantal Waldorf, a local designer and drag queen who I was fortunate enough to meet last year, has been taken into ICE custody. Please help her fight to continue pursuing her art and fulfilling her dreams in America.”

Accounts including Drag Crave also shared the fundraiser and encouraged followers to help cover Waldorf’s legal expenses.

The detention comes as the Trump administration continues a sweeping immigration crackdown that has extended far beyond people convicted of violent crimes, ensnaring immigrants who initially entered the country legally. Many Nicaraguans living in the U.S. previously received temporary protected status, but the Department of Homeland Security terminated Nicaragua’s designation in 2025.