Bad Bunny says 'ICE out' in Grammy Awards speech

February 2, 2026

The Grammy Awards ceremony became a platform for artists to protest the Trump administration's immigration enforcement operations, particularly in response to recent deaths of two Americans killed by federal agents in Minneapolis. Multiple award winners, including Bad Bunny, Olivia Dean, and Shaboozey, incorporated pro-immigrant messages into their acceptance speeches, with Bad Bunny explicitly calling for "ICE out. " The protests come amid nationwide demonstrations following the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti during federal immigration raids, which prompted a Justice Department civil rights investigation.

Who is affected

Renee Good and Alex Pretti (Minneapolis residents shot and killed by federal immigration officials)
Immigrants and their families in the United States, particularly those without criminal history being arrested
Artists speaking out: Bad Bunny, Olivia Dean, Billie Eilish, SZA, Kehlani, Gloria Estefan, and Shaboozey
Minneapolis residents and local officials
Lawmakers from both political parties

What action is being taken

The US Justice Department is conducting a civil rights investigation into Pretti's death
Federal immigration enforcement operations are ongoing across the US
The Trump administration is implementing immigration enforcement operations, though planning to "de-escalate" in Minnesota
Protests are occurring in multiple American cities, including Minneapolis
Artists are wearing "ICE OUT" pins and speaking out during the Grammy Awards ceremony

Why it matters

This situation highlights the tension between federal immigration enforcement policies and public concerns about civil rights and humanitarian treatment. The deaths of two American citizens during immigration raids have intensified scrutiny of enforcement tactics and raised questions about the scope and methods of these operations, particularly when they result in arrests of people without criminal histories. The platform provided by a major cultural event like the Grammys amplifies these concerns to a global audience and demonstrates how immigration policy has become a defining political issue affecting communities nationwide.

What's next

The Trump administration plans to "draw down" federal forces in Minnesota if local officials cooperate
Border tsar Tom Homan stated the administration will continue their mission but do it "smarter," though specific details of de-escalation were not provided
The civil rights investigation into Pretti's death is ongoing

Read full article from source: BBC