Utah violinist in ICE custody issued bond, but release may still be weeks, months away
Sep 2, 2025, 2:53 PM | Updated: Sep 3, 2025, 1:50 pm
John Shin pictured on vacation with his family. (Courtesy Danae Snow)
(Courtesy Danae Snow)
SALT LAKE CITY — A Utah violinist, who’s currently in an ICE detention facility in Colorado, was granted bond by an immigration judge Tuesday morning. But, John Shin’s attorney is worried the federal government will take drastic measures to keep him in custody.
Shin was detained by ICE in Colorado Springs last month while he was on a business trip. His family has since tried to promote awareness of what happened to him, and is trying to bring him home.
A GoFundMe has been set up to help with expenses.
Shin’s attorney, Adam Crayk, told KSL NewsRadio a judge issued a $25,000 bond for Shin, but federal immigration prosecutors reserved the right to appeal the bond grant. Since the bond was more than $10,000, Crayk said the government has the option to file what’s called the “nuclear option” or form EOIR-43.
Under that form, prosecutors can claim Shin is a national security threat and should remain in ICE custody while his case plays out. Crayk said this form was rarely filed before the start of President Trump’s second term and was most commonly reserved for convicted murderers and terrorists.
“Which means they have to say he’s a kin to a terrorist, (that) he’s similar to someone that has committed such an egregious act that the immigration judge is so, so wrong that they have the authority to go over her head and keep him in custody,” Crayk said. “It’s so frustrating. I am so frustrated. He should be out of custody. He shouldn’t have ever been in custody.”
Crayk said Shin’s only criminal record is an impaired driving conviction and four traffic tickets.
“Nobody with half a brain is going to say that this guy’s a real, true danger to the community,” Crayk said. “Nobody’s going to.”
Crayk said the government has until Wednesday morning to file the nuclear option against Shin. If they do, a federal judge would need to side with them to keep Shin in custody. If a judge ruled against them, Shin could post bond and return to his family in Utah.
Shin could also post bond and go home if the government opts not to go down this route.
Although if immigration prosecutors do file the nuclear option and a judge sides with them, Crayk said Shin could spend a year or more in ICE custody.
But, Crayk said that whether it’s a matter of days or months, he’s confident he’ll get Shin released and back to his family.
“We’re getting him out … He’ll be coming home,” Crayk said.
Read more: Riverton becomes first city in Utah to enter agreement with ICE
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