Billie Eilish's 'Stolen Land' Claim Ignores Universal History of Migration and Conquest

Columnist argues that by Eilish's logic, everyone in the world lives on 'stolen land'.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

In a recent Grammy Awards speech, singer Billie Eilish claimed that 'no one is illegal on stolen land,' suggesting that the United States and other nations are illegitimate because they were built on land taken from indigenous peoples. Columnist Bob Arrington argues that Eilish's statement is 'idiotic and ignorant,' as human history is marked by widespread migration, invasion, and conquest across all continents and cultures. Arrington contends that by Eilish's definition, everyone in the world lives on 'stolen land,' exposing the naivety of her claim.

Why it matters

Eilish's comments reflect a growing trend of activists and public figures making broad claims about the illegitimacy of nations and land ownership based on historical injustices against indigenous populations. This column challenges that perspective by highlighting the universal nature of migration, conquest, and displacement throughout human history, arguing that Eilish's logic would apply equally to all peoples and nations.

The details

Arrington cites examples of human migration and conquest dating back to prehistoric times, including the displacement of hominid species by Homo habilis, Homo erectus, and modern humans. He describes waves of invasions and conquests across Mesopotamia, the Levant, India, China, Europe, Africa, and the Americas, noting that 'no race, no nation, no ethnic group is excluded' from this history. The columnist argues that Eilish's statement is an 'ignorant blather' that fails to acknowledge the universal nature of human migration and displacement.

  • The column was published on February 13, 2026.

The players

Billie Eilish

A popular American singer-songwriter who made headlines at the 2026 Grammy Awards for claiming that 'no one is illegal on stolen land'.

Bob Arrington

A Kingsport, Tennessee-based attorney and columnist who wrote this piece criticizing Eilish's comments.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“No one is illegal on stolen land.”

— Billie Eilish (Grammy Awards)

“Her statement was doubtless intended to support the illegal immigrants who are being deported by suggesting no government here in the United States is legitimate because the land inside its borders was stolen from someone else, presumably indigenous people.”

— Bob Arrington, Columnist (timesnews.net)

The takeaway

This column highlights the universal history of human migration, invasion, and conquest across the globe, challenging the notion that any single nation or people can claim legitimate ownership over land. By this logic, Eilish's claim that 'no one is illegal on stolen land' would apply equally to all of humanity, exposing the naivety and oversimplification of her statement.