The 68th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday were notable not just for stellar performances and big winners, but also for the powerful political statements made by artists on the red carpet and on stage. A significant theme this year was opposition to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and recent immigration enforcement actions, with many musicians using their moment in the spotlight to raise awareness of broader issues.
Celebrities wear “ICE OUT” pins on the red carpet
Before the Grammy awards ceremony began, a number of high-profile artists made their stance clear on the red carpet by sporting “ICE OUT” pins, a symbolic protest against ICE and current immigration enforcement policies in the United States. Stars seen wearing the pins included Justin Bieber, Hailey Bieber, Kehlani, Billie Eilish, Joni Mitchell, Brandi Carlile, Jason Isbell, Margo Price and Rhiannon Giddens. The gesture was widely shared on social media, marking one of the most visible political statements by celebrities at this year’s music awards.
Singer Kehlani, in particular, did not stop at accessories. Kehlani openly criticised ICE and U.S. immigration policy, saying, “F** ICE” and adding that artists have collective power to make a statement on such platforms. After winning awards for Best R&B Performance and Best R&B Song, Kehlani reiterated their stance during acceptance speeches.
Kehlani accepts her first GRAMMY, winning Best R&B Performance for “Folded.” pic.twitter.com/JK1mWAF73J
— RNB RADAR (@rnbradar) February 1, 2026
Artists take the stage with political messages
The political tone continued into the televised ceremony. Billie Eilish, after winning Song of the Year, used her acceptance speech to highlight immigrant rights and denounce enforcement policies, declaring, “No one is illegal on stolen land.” Her remarks were met with applause, further amplifying the night’s pro-immigrant sentiment.
Wildflower by Billie Eilish is 2026 Song of the Year! It’s her 10th Grammy#Grammys
pic.twitter.com/v9JdSgvOGn
— Lunar Surfer (@TheLunarSurfer) February 2, 2026
Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny, the winner of Best Música Urbana Album and one of the night’s biggest winners, also used his time at the microphone to speak against ICE. Before thanking collaborators and supporters, he said, “Before I say thanks to God, I’m going to say ICE out. We’re not savage, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens. We are humans and we are Americans. Also, I will say to people, I know it’s tough to know not to hate on these days and I was thinking sometimes, we get contaminados [contaminated], I don’t know how to say that in English. The hate gets more powerful with more hate. The only thing that is more powerful than hate is love. So please, we need to be different. If we fight, we have to do it with love. We don’t hate them. We love our people. We love our family, and that’s the way to do it. With love. Don’t forget that please. Thank you.”
Bad Bunny speaks out against ICE during #GRAMMYs speech for ‘Best Música Urbana Album’:
“I’m going to say, ICE out. We’re not savages, we’re not animals, we are humans and we are Americans.” pic.twitter.com/vQTiFG3Z6C
— Aman Magazine (@Aman_Magazine) February 2, 2026
His words resonated strongly with the audience and underscored the broader theme of the ceremony.
The anti-ICE statements within the music community reflect wider public debate in the United States over immigration enforcement and recent controversial incidents involving federal agents. Advocacy groups and protesters have been circulating anti-ICE materials and encouraging public figures to take a stand, and the Grammy Awards, with its global audience and influential platform, became a focal point for those expressing solidarity with immigrant communities. This also closely follows how celebs took a stand against ICE even at the Golden Globes, with Mark Ruffalo in particular criticising Trump.
