At the 2026 Grammy Awards, some of the world’s leading music stars took a bold stand against the United States government’s immigration policies and the ongoing mass deportation campaigns. Their protest has drawn particular attention given the heightened enforcement actions targeting immigrant communities in Minneapolis and beyond.
The demonstration by celebrities was not confined to the televised ceremony itself. From the red carpet to pre- and post-event gatherings, musicians and performers visibly expressed their support. Activist groups were present throughout the week, distributing symbolic pins and materials to help performers communicate their messages more clearly to a global audience.
On stage, Billie Eilish, Finneas, and Carole King wore pins highlighting their opposition to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Even artists who typically refrain from political commentary, including Justin and Hailey Bieber, appeared on the red carpet displaying the protest pins. Billie Eilish opened her “Song of the Year” acceptance speech with the statement, “No one is illegal on stolen land.”
British soul-pop artist Olivia Dean, honoured as Best New Artist, noted her personal connection to the cause: as the granddaughter of an immigrant, she emphasised that celebrating immigrant communities is both a right and a responsibility. Award-winning rapper Bad Bunny, in his speech for Best Música Urbana Album, passionately declared, “We are not savages or animals. We are human like humans, we are American.” He added, “Hate only strengthens hate. The strongest force is love. If we fight, it must be through love.”
Other notable red carpet appearances included Jason Isbell, Margo Price, Kehlani, and Rhiannon Giddens, all wearing pins to signal solidarity. Justin Vernon, whose band Bon Iver was nominated for Best Alternative Music Album, carried a symbolic whistle as a gesture of support for legal observers monitoring enforcement actions.
Table: Key Celebrities and Their Protest Messages
| Artist/Celebrity | Protest Message | Notable Moment |
|---|---|---|
| Billie Eilish | “No one is illegal on stolen land” | Song of the Year speech |
| Finneas | ICE opposition pin | On-stage presence |
| Carole King | ICE opposition pin | On-stage presence |
| Justin Bieber | ICE opposition pin | Red carpet appearance |
| Hailey Bieber | ICE opposition pin | Red carpet appearance |
| Olivia Dean | Celebration of immigrants | Best New Artist |
| Bad Bunny | “ICE Out” | Best Música Urbana Album acceptance |
The protest extended beyond music: actresses Natalie Portman, Olivia Wilde, and Joey King have worn “ICE OUT” pins at both the Grammys and the Sundance Film Festival. Wilde remarked, “We are normalising killings on the streets as if they were legitimate. It’s deeply troubling.”
Jess Morales Rocketto, an organiser with the MAREMOTO community group, highlighted the challenges performers face in publicly supporting such causes due to potential resistance from managers, record labels, and fashion sponsors. Yet, she noted that Grammy stars have demonstrated remarkable courage, amplifying the visibility and impact of the protest.
By leveraging their platforms, these artists have transformed the Grammys—a celebration of music and popular culture—into a forum for advocacy, sending a powerful and visible message against current U.S. immigration policies and ICE operations.