The year 2025 left no room for breaks and was not short on surprises. In June 2025, toward the end of the year, conversations began to spark about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) regarding the second Trump administration. Since then, there have been two opposing sides of an argument surrounding immigration within the United States and the raids performed by ICE agents. Not only are everyday people speaking up, but so are some popular artists who have recently expressed their distaste for ICE and the current situation happening in their country.
One of the most notable pushbacks came from none other than the Puerto Rican musician Bad Bunny (Benito Ocasio), who has never been shy about speaking his mind. In a 2025 interview with i-D, he explains his decision not to tour in the USA, saying that “ICE could be outside my concert”, knowing his fan base consists of a large population of Spanish and Latinx fans who may be at risk. During the 2026 Grammys, he made his stance overwhelmingly clear. During his acceptance of the award for best Música Urbana album, Bad Bunny started with a bang, saying “Before I say thanks to God, I’m gonna say ICE out— “We’re not savages, we’re not animals, we are not aliens, we are humans, and we are Americans”. His claims earned loud applause from the audience to show their support for him and others who may have been affected by ICE in recent years. The room was filled with plenty of other artists who shared Benito’s ideas and called for an ICE out. One of the musicians who shared his sentiment was popular singer and songwriter Billie Eilish, who has never been one to not speak her mind.
Billie did not hold back during her speech at the Grammys, delivering words that she stood by even after multiple controversies started sparking about her opinions and rhetoric. She wore an “ICE out” pin to the Grammys, where she won an award for “Wildflower” during her speech. Billie says, “No one is illegal on stolen land… f–k ICE.” This created conversation on many social media platforms, some siding with Billie and some criticizing her. However, Billie keeps her consistent ideology of the push for ICE to be abolished. The frontman of Green Day, Billie Joe Armstrong, also spoke out against the current events surrounding the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, stating that “this song is anti-fascist. This song is anti-war. We stand up for our brothers and sisters in Minnesota,” before performing his song Holiday at the 2026 Green Day concert.
There are always two opposing sides to an argument. These artists and many more have expressed which side they are on and have created much more conversation and movement on the topic of ICE and immigration. 2026 will most definitely bring more information, surprises and controversy surrounding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the future of the United States of America.
References
Brown , A. (2026, February 8). How did those bad bunny-themed, anti-ice towels get into the Super Bowl?. Los Angeles Times. https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2026-02-08/how-did-those-bad-bunny-themed-anti-ice-towels-get-into-super-bowl
Dailey, H. (2026b, February 5). Musicians who’ve spoken out against Ice, from Bad bunny to Billie Eilish. Billboard. https://www.billboard.com/lists/ice-musicians-protest-stars-minneapolis/chappell-roan-12/
Singh , M., Marcos , C. M., & Simmonds , C. (2026, January 4). 2025 was Ice’s deadliest year in two decades. here are the 32 people who died in custody. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2026/jan/04/ice-2025-deaths-timeline
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