The Music of Hans Zimmer Concert scheduled Thursday, May 1, at the Scottsdale Center of Performing Arts has been postponed due to visa delays for several international performers.
Scottsdale Arts officials cited new administrative procedures for the delays, part of broader scrutiny of visas by the Trump administration.
Concert attendee and Gilbert resident Tiffany Bottolfson says she was shocked to hear the reasoning of the cancelled concert.
“It just felt very odd because this doesn't seem like someone playing an instrument for such a noble cause is a threat to our country,” Bottolfson said. “I didn't feel as though, you know, this is somehow keeping us safer.”
The visa delays come as the Trump administration has also revoked hundreds of student visas throughout the country.
“We're under the impression that it's all of these changes that are being made via executive order are to keep us safe from criminals and cartels and violent offenders, and then you see that it's affecting international students who are here, doing important research and playing instruments and just adding to our rich cultural experience,” Bottolfson said.
According to United Campus Workers Arizona, over 100 international students at Arizona State University have had their visas revoked.
As for the concert in Scottsdale, city arts officials say they’re working to reschedule to a future date.
