How Anti-ICE Sentiment, Immigration Debate Hogged The Limelight At Grammy Awards

Last Updated:February 02, 2026, 09:36 IST

The night, which is dedicated to celebrating music’s biggest achievements, was marked by a visible cultural stand as performers called out the humanitarian crisis unfolding in US

Billie Eilish (left) sports the 'ICE OUT' pin at the Grammys; (right) A guest also wears the accessory. (X)

As stars descended to attend the 68th Annual Grammy Awards on Sunday night, the red carpet and stages became unexpected platforms for political protest, with several artists taking aim at US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the broader immigration policies under the Trump administration.

The night, which is dedicated to celebrating music’s biggest achievements, was marked by a visible cultural stand as performers including Justin Bieber, Kehlani, and Billie Eilish, called out the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the United States.

‘ICE OUT’ Pins

A small but powerful accessory that dominated the red carpet in Los Angeles was the ‘ICE Out’ pin, signalling solidarity with nationwide protests against ICE’s enforcement actions. Stars, including Justin and Hailey Bieber, Brandi Carlile and Joni Mitchell, were among those seen sporting the pins, which have become symbolic of resistance to aggressive immigration operations.

The pins first gained attention at other awards shows earlier this season and were paired at times with “Be Good" pins honouring Renee Good, a Minneapolis woman shot dead by an ICE agent in January in an incident that intensified public scrutiny of the agency.

Speaking to AP, Maremoto Executive Director Jess Morales Rocketto said: “These pins are about so much more than a red carpet moment. It’s about people taking a stand and doing what they can to show up to say that ICE should be out of our communities."

Shaking Up The Stage

The protest, however, did not stop at accessories. Some artists used their moment in the spotlight to address the immigration policy directly. For instance, Kehlani, winner of Best R&B Performance and Best R&B Song, condemned ICE during their acceptance speeches and said “f*** ICE," underscoring deep frustration with current enforcement tactics.

Eilish, while accepting her award, echoed the sentiment. “Nobody is illegal on stolen land. We need to keep fighting and speaking up. Our voices do matter…f*ck ICE."

Bad Bunny, accepting Best Música Urbana Album, opened his speech with “ICE out", passionately rejecting the dehumanising rhetoric around immigrants and calling for unity and love over hate. “We’re not savages, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens, we are humans and we are Americans. The only thing that is more powerful than hate is love," he said. “So, please, we need to be different. If we fight, we have to do it with love."

Olivia Dean honoured her immigrant heritage during her acceptance speech for Best New Artist, emphasising the bravery and contributions of immigrant families in a message that resonated against the backdrop of widespread ICE raids. “I’m up here as a granddaughter of an immigrant," a teary-eyed Dean said. “I’m a product of bravery and I think those people deserve to be celebrated. We’re nothing without each other."

Simmering Tensions

The protests at the Grammys reflect broader tensions over US immigration policy and ICE’s role under President Donald Trump. Since taking office in 2025, Trump has steered a hardline immigration agenda, including expanding ICE authority to detain and deport immigrants—even those who previously entered the country legally under programmes established by the prior administration. Critics argue these policies bypass due process and have led to aggressive enforcement actions in communities nationwide.

ICE has increased its reach, conducting operations in places once considered sensitive, like schools, hospitals, and places of worship, and dramatically boosting deportations. This expansion has fuelled anxiety among immigrant communities and drawn condemnation from civil rights advocates who say it fractures families and undermines trust in law enforcement.

What has added to the outpouring of anger and public backlash has been the death of 37-year-old nurse Alex Pretti, who was shot and killed by a Border Patrol officer, as well as the detaining of 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos. The contrast of Ramos’ image—an innocent child looking lost—with that of towering ICE agents sent shockwaves across the world, raising questions over the anti-immigrant drive.

Trump’s Justification

According to the US President, strong immigration enforcement, including aggressive ICE operations, is necessary to protect public safety. He claims ICE is removing “violent criminals", gang members, and dangerous individuals who threaten American communities, and that “the law must be applied" to maintain national security.

Of late, Trump has urged federal agencies to publicise the names and pictures of the migrants that ICE detains to shift public opinion in favour of enforcement and away from criticism of agents.

In the face of growing backlash over how ICE has conducted raids, including incidents that turned fatal, Trump has said that ICE agents can sometimes be “too rough" but maintained that enforcement remains essential. He argues that dealing with dangerous individuals inherently brings risks, and that enforcement should not be weakened because of “isolated" incidents.

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