YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - A Youngstown event celebrating Slavic culture has been canceled after a Czech musician scheduled to perform was denied entry into the United States.

The “Brunch & Bohemia” concert, set for July 20 at the Youngstown Country Club, was meant to feature Trio Mente, an ensemble touring the U.S. to share their cultural heritage through classical chamber music. But when clarinetist Jaroslav Skuta arrived at Detroit Metro Airport on July 1, he was detained by immigration officials, interrogated for several hours, and deported to Prague.

Skuta, who previously attended Kent State University as a graduate student, had documentation indicating the tour was non-commercial. In a letter to event organizers, he described the experience as “humiliating and traumatizing,” saying he was treated with hostility from the beginning. He expressed regret over the cancellation, writing, “I had come to the U.S. with genuine intentions: to bring Czech music to small communities… Instead, I was met with disbelief and mistrust.”

In a statement to multiple media outlets, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said Skuta “misrepresented the purpose of his travel” and was actually scheduled to perform at multiple events as a professional musician. “Performing in the United States constitutes work and requires the appropriate employment-based visa,” said CBP spokesperson John B. Mennell.

Organizers say they were devastated by the news. “We were horrified about what impression it gives of America,” said Aundrea Cika Heschmeyer, co-founder and vice president of Simply Slavic, one of the event’s sponsors. “To have a person so traumatized by this experience—it’s heartbreaking.”

Heschmeyer said the group offered to help find a replacement performer, but the remaining ensemble members were so disheartened that they canceled their entire U.S. tour.

The incident has made Simply Slavic rethink its future plans. “This makes us think twice about what we're capable of achieving,” Heschmeyer said, noting the organization had hoped to bring in more international performers for its 15th anniversary season.

Despite the setback, Skuta remains hopeful. He says he still dreams of returning to the United States to share his music under more welcoming circumstances.