11 Anti-ICE Songs From Local and National Artists

Protest tracks from Springsteen, Dylan, and more capture unrest over ICE actions in Phoenix and beyond.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 6:39pm

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As Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) began raids and arrests across Phoenix and the Valley, a number of local and national artists have released songs protesting the agency's actions. The list includes tracks from Bruce Springsteen, Jesse Welles, CHKLZ, The Neighborhood Kids, Tom Morello, Tufawon, Joseph Terrell, Zach Bryan, Billy Bragg, and Zada, as well as the classic "Ballad of a Thin Man" by Bob Dylan.

Why it matters

The songs reflect the broader American unrest and protest over ICE's actions, particularly the recent killings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good by federal agents in Minneapolis. The tracks span multiple genres, from rock and folk to hip-hop and country, highlighting the widespread opposition to ICE's tactics.

The details

The songs cover a range of perspectives and styles, from Springsteen's direct narration of the Minneapolis events to Welles' satirical exploration of the psychology of ICE recruits. CHKLZ offers an upbeat, whimsical response, while The Neighborhood Kids provide a classic industrial hip-hop protest. Morello tells the story of a young woman fleeing ICE, and Tufawon blends hip-hop, R&B, and indigenous music to capture the unrest firsthand. Other artists, like Terrell and Bryan, offer more general sentiments of division and hopelessness sparked by ICE's actions.

  • The songs were released between January 2025 and January 2026, with the most recent being Springsteen's "Streets of Minneapolis" on January 28, 2026.
  • The tracks were released in response to the unrest in Minneapolis and the start of ICE raids and arrests in Phoenix and the surrounding Valley region.

The players

Bruce Springsteen

A legendary American singer-songwriter known for his politically-charged music.

Jesse Welles

An up-and-coming protest folk singer who has gained attention for his satirical anti-ICE track "Join ICE."

CHKLZ

An avant-garde EDM duo from Phoenix that released the track "Hey Kristi Noem (I Wanna Know)" as a "heartfelt answer from Arizona" to the DHS actions.

The Neighborhood Kids

A San Diego-based "revolutionary hip-hop group" that has been active in American politics and released the track "BREAKING NEWS" in response to recent ICE activity.

Tom Morello

The guitarist of the politically-charged rock band Rage Against The Machine, who released the track "Pretend You Remember Me" in response to ICE activity in Los Angeles.

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What they’re saying

“Everybody put your hands up from the front to the back / We're not the police, therefore we won't kill you where you stand.”

— The Neighborhood Kids, Revolutionary hip-hop group (phoenixnewtimes.com)

“He saw a 37-year-old, mother of three / And he shot her in the face in her SUV ... He's a genuine American hero / He keeps us safe and snatches us.”

— Joseph Terrell, Anti-ICE protest singer (phoenixnewtimes.com)

The takeaway

The diverse array of protest songs from local and national artists highlights the widespread opposition to ICE's tactics and the unrest they have sparked across the country. The tracks span multiple genres and perspectives, reflecting the broader American sentiment of disgust, division, and a call for change.