Grammys Stars Protest Trump’s Immigration Policies

The 2026 Grammy Awards saw some of music’s biggest stars use their platform to speak out against the Trump administration’s immigration policies, coinciding with ongoing mass deportations and heightened federal enforcement in Minneapolis and beyond. From the red carpet to the stage, performers and attendees made their opposition visible, highlighting a growing cultural revolt against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Activists circulated protest pins throughout the week leading up to the ceremony, urging celebrities to visibly oppose ICE. Many artists took the message to heart, wearing pins or incorporating statements into their acceptance speeches.

Billie Eilish, Finneas, and Carole King wore protest pins during their stage appearances, while Justin and Hailey Bieber — artists not typically vocal about U.S. politics — also joined the movement. Eilish opened her Song of the Year acceptance speech by declaring, “No one is illegal on stolen land.” British soul-pop singer Olivia Dean, named Best New Artist, noted she is the granddaughter of an immigrant, emphasising that “people like them deserve to be celebrated.”

Latin music icon Bad Bunny used his platform to call out ICE directly while accepting the award for Best Música Urbana Album. “Before I say thanks to God, I’m gonna say: ICE out,” he told the audience to a standing ovation. “We’re not savage, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens. We are humans and we are Americans. The only thing more powerful than hate is love, and if we fight, we must do it with love.”

The prevalence of protest pins marked a stronger public stance than seen at the Golden Globes the previous month. Public outrage has intensified following recent incidents, including the killing of nurse Alex Pretti by a Border Patrol officer, the detention of five-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos, and the arrest of journalist Don Lemon, who attended Sunday’s ceremony.

Jess Morales Rocketto, executive director of the Latino advocacy group Maremoto, highlighted the significance of the display: “These pins are about more than a red carpet moment. It’s about taking a stand and showing that ICE should not be in our communities.”

Other notable actions included Justin Vernon of Bon Iver wearing a whistle to honour legal observers documenting federal agents’ actions on the streets. Meanwhile, celebrities such as Natalie Portman, Olivia Wilde, and Zoey Deutch wore “ICE OUT” pins at the Sundance Film Festival and related events, emphasising solidarity with affected communities.

While some artists may choose to remain silent due to industry pressures or personal safety concerns, the Grammys highlighted music’s capacity to combine entertainment with activism. Morales Rocketto noted that even wealthy, famous Latino performers face risks, especially those with mixed immigration status or family members affected by ICE enforcement.

In a year marked by controversy over immigration enforcement, the Grammys stage became a platform for both defiance and solidarity, illustrating the enduring role of artists in political discourse.