On the one hand, we can really appreciate that the Office of Homeland Security is doing their best to keep suspected terrorists as far away from us as possible.

On the other hand, we worry that they may not be doing their research.

Having grown up within sight of Mexico, this Phillyist can attest that a name like Rodrigo Sanchez is by no means uncommon in the country. Which probably means that there are dozens, if not hundreds, of similarly-named Mexican gentlemen currently barred from entering the United States. The problem arises when one said gentleman happens to be the Rodrigo Sanchez of Rodrigo y Gabriela, the increasingly-popular acoustic duo that is currently scheduled to be on tour across the United States. According to the press release we received:

Rodrigo Sanchez's detention in Mexico has led to the cancellation of half a dozen U.S. shows on Rodrigo Y Gabriela's current tour, and put in jeopardy many other major concerts and promotional appearances. The group, already stars in Europe and experiencing a surge here in the U.S., were heralded in the current issue of Rolling Stone as a "New Artist to Watch," and hailed in a recent Wall Street Journal feature as possibly "the next Buena Vista Social Club". Despite this, U.S. Immigration officials have been unwilling to admit the duo entrance into the U.S, forcing the cancellation of sold out concerts and a marquee slot at the world's largest music industry conference, South By Southwest, in Austin, TX.

The State Department has said the process to review the visa might take upwards of three months. The U.S embassy in Mexico City suspended Rodrigo's already approved P-1 Entertainer Visa until his file is reviewed to confirm he is not an individual with a similar name who is barred from receiving a visa, this despite the fact that Rodrigo has entered and exited the U.S. without any problem in the last nine months.

We have to wonder why there's such a hold-up, when there are thousands of people who can vouch for Sanchez's identity. And we feel sorry for the guy, who, instead of wallowing in anger or self pity, said: "I feel frustrated because we wanted to play to our fans in the states... We hope to be back into the States as soon as I'm cleared to do so and keep contributing to society by sharing music and our time with people and reinforcing the importance that art and culture have, have had and will have to all of us while we are alive."

Meanwhile, Rodrigo and Gabriela's Philly concert date, originally scheduled for this Thursday, March 22, has been postponed to April 18. If Sanchez isn't cleared by then, however, we'll keep you all posted about further postponements or cancellations.

Image via this site.