Pepe and Ángela Aguilar Spark Controversy in Los Angeles With Immigration Comments

Aguilar family in controversy over immigration statement

Criticism over “legality” remarks

They defend their support for immigrants

The Aguilar dynasty returned to the spotlight—this time not for their music but for what happened between songs at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.

Pepe Aguilar, together with his children Ángela and Leonardo, performed on August 15 and 16 to strong reviews praising their artistry and Mexican tradition.

But the show was marked by words that ignited controversy in the Latino community.

The situation unfolded when Ángela Aguilar took the microphone to speak about her identity, mentioning that she was born in Los Angeles and recalling that her father had said he was proud to be a “legal Mexican-American.”

Aguilar Family and the Immigration Controversy on Social Media

Pepe Aguilar had to sell tickets for a dollar to fill the venue and avoid creating more insecurities for his daughter Ángela.

“Supposedly to ‘support the undocumented.’ Then what’s the outrage? His Trump-like anti-immigrant speech.”

“They don’t get it, Mexican-Americans.” pic.twitter.com/CWCskmbtcO

— Didi (@coahuilensepol) August 19, 2025

That phrase—within the current U.S. immigration crisis—was enough to set social media ablaze, according to People en Español.

The family patriarch also weighed in, stressing that what matters is “doing things legally so there’s no damn excuse.”

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Pepe insisted that only in this way can Latinos prove they are an integral part of a country that, as he put it, “was built on laws and will remain strong because of them.”

He added that the best way forward is to do the work well from any position—as a way of demanding a dignified place in American society.

Mixed Reactions of Criticism and Support

#Entertainment | The controversy surrounding the Aguilar family continues. This time Pepe is the main target of criticism after raising the immigration issue during his Hollywood Bowl performance.
More information: https://t.co/tsgpbE3BOO pic.twitter.com/jwSszsq2EP

— Periódico Enfoque Informativo Nayarit. (@enfoquenayarit) August 20, 2025

Although his words seemed like a call for self-improvement, not everyone interpreted them that way.

Many social media users argued that his reference to “legality” dismissed the daily struggles of thousands of undocumented immigrants in the U.S.

Amid the backlash, Ángela also sought to clarify her position, saying, “What’s happening to our people is not right,” and adding that she opposed injustices.

Still, for many, that part of her message was overshadowed by the initial reference to “legality,” fueling a wave of criticism.

Negative comments soon spread, accusing Pepe and Ángela Aguilar of speaking “from their bubble of privilege” and of lacking empathy.

Some users even wrote phrases like “they look better with their mouths shut” or “ignorance is bold,” reflecting widespread indignation.

Others, by contrast, defended the family, arguing that the videos circulating online left out their words of support for immigrants.

With the echoes of controversy still resonating, the Aguilar family has shown once again that their voice—both on and off stage—carries weight and does not go unnoticed.