Rosanne Cash Calls to Defund and Prosecute ICE

The singer-songwriter and daughter of Johnny Cash spoke out against ICE's aggressive actions, including shootings and deportations.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 3:15pm

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Rosanne Cash, the eldest daughter of country legend Johnny Cash, issued a strong statement calling to defund and prosecute the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency. Cash cited ICE's recent Operation Metro Surge, which has included an aggressive uptick in deportations and killings of both detainees and citizens, as the reason for her urgent message.

Why it matters

Cash's comments highlight growing concerns over ICE's controversial tactics and the agency's role in the country's immigration enforcement. As the daughter of an iconic American musician, her high-profile criticism adds to the national debate over the future of ICE and immigration policy.

The details

In a video post from the Nashville airport, Cash said she hadn't seen the Department of Homeland Security helping Tennesseans affected by the recent ice storm, but was instead "too busy shooting private citizens and deporting 5-year-olds." She specifically mentioned the killings of 37-year-old Renee Good, who was fatally shot by an ICE officer, and 37-year-old VA ICU nurse Alex Pretti, who was killed in a confrontation with ICE agents. Cash also referenced the case of 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos, who was apprehended by ICE with his father in their suburban Minneapolis home.

  • On January 9, 2026, Renee Good was fatally shot by an ICE officer.
  • On January 24, 2026, Alex Pretti was fatally shot in a confrontation with ICE officers.
  • In January 2026, 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos was apprehended by ICE with his father in their suburban Minneapolis home.

The players

Rosanne Cash

A singer-songwriter and the eldest daughter of the late country legend Johnny Cash.

Renee Good

A 37-year-old woman who was fatally shot by an ICE officer on January 9, 2026.

Alex Pretti

A 37-year-old VA ICU nurse who was fatally shot in a confrontation with ICE officers on January 24, 2026.

Liam Conejo Ramos

A 5-year-old boy who was apprehended by ICE with his father in their suburban Minneapolis home in January 2026.

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What they’re saying

“Defund ICE. Not only defund them, prosecute them.”

— Rosanne Cash

“It's unspeakable, and it's a sign of a country that's falling apart.”

— Rosanne Cash

The takeaway

Rosanne Cash's high-profile criticism of ICE's aggressive tactics, including shootings and deportations, adds to the national debate over the future of the agency and immigration policy in the United States.