Grammys Spotlight Celebrities' Pushback Against Immigration Crackdown

Music stars use awards show platform to protest Trump administration's deportation campaign in Minneapolis

Feb. 1, 2026 at 5:47pm

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Entertainment's awards season has coincided with the Trump administration's mass deportation campaign in Minneapolis, forcing artists to decide whether and how to join the growing cultural revolt against immigration crackdowns. Those questions again surfaced at the Grammys, where activists pressed celebrities to don pins protesting the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) presence in cities.

Why it matters

The Grammys have become a high-profile stage for celebrities to voice their opposition to the Trump administration's aggressive immigration enforcement policies, which have sparked public backlash following several controversial incidents involving ICE agents in Minneapolis.

The details

Organizers saw a stronger showing of support at the Grammys than at last month's Golden Globes, as artists like Jason Isbell, Margo Price, Kehlani and Rhiannon Giddens wore protest apparel on the red carpet. Kehlani also cursed ICE in her acceptance speech. Vernon of the band Bon Iver wore a whistle to honor legal observers documenting federal agents' actions. At the Sundance Film Festival, several celebrities including Natalie Portman, Olivia Wilde and Zoey Deutch wore "ICE OUT" pins.

  • The Grammys took place on Sunday, February 1, 2026.
  • The Golden Globes occurred the previous month.

The players

Maremoto

A Latino advocacy group founded by Jess Morales Rocketto, who organized the protest pins for the Grammys.

Becky G

A Mexican American singer who had an explicit message for ICE on the nails she wore to the MusiCares Person of the Year gala earlier in the week.

Vernon

The lead singer of the band Bon Iver, which is nominated for best alternative music album.

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What they’re saying

“These pins are about so much more than a red carpet moment. It's about people taking a stand and doing what they can to show up to say that ICE should be out of our communities.”

— Jess Morales Rocketto, Executive Director, Maremoto

“I think there's a reason that music exists and it's to heal and to bring people together. But the real work are those observers on the on the ground in Minneapolis. We just want to want to shout them out.”

— Vernon (The Associated Press)

“It's really difficult to be here and to be celebrating something so joyous and beautiful and positive when we know what's happening on the streets. Americans are out on the streets marching and demanding justice, and we're there with them. And if we can do anything with our platforms, you know, we can speak out and demand that ICE get out.”

— Olivia Wilde (The Associated Press)

“I'm so lucky to be here in a joyful, creative community celebrating a movie we're really proud of. But it's impossible to ignore what ICE is doing to our country. And I'm very inspired, though, by all of the amazing, amazing Americans who are coming out and supporting each other and being there in communities. It's beautiful.”

— Natalie Portman (The Associated Press)

What’s next

The Trump administration has threatened to place ICE agents at the upcoming Super Bowl halftime performance by Bad Bunny, raising concerns for Latino artists about potential retaliation for political expression.

The takeaway

The Grammys have become a high-profile platform for celebrities to voice their opposition to the Trump administration's aggressive immigration enforcement policies, which have sparked public outrage in Minneapolis and across the country. This cultural revolt against ICE crackdowns reflects a growing movement among artists and activists to leverage their platforms and take a stand against injustice.