Tucked in Yves to Chanel's Luxury Dresses, Musicians Unite to Condemn ICE at the 2026 Grammy Awards
JAKARTA - Anger over US President Donald Trump's federal immigration policy has not only sparked demonstrations, but also direct rejection at the 2026 Grammy Awards, the world's music industry awards.
"Before I thank God, I'll say 'ICE out'," said rapper Bad Bunny to cheers from the Grammy Awards 2026 audience held at the Crypto Arena, Los Angeles, Sunday, February 1 local time, as quoted by AFP.
The rapper who finally won the Album of the Year award with his LP 'DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS' in the 2026 Grammy Awards also revealed that members of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) acted excessively.
"We are not barbarians, we are not animals, we are not aliens; we are human beings and we are Americans," said Bad Bunny, who is scheduled to be the main star of this week's Super Bowl halftime show.
The top music stars at the 2026 Grammy Awards condemned the federal immigration policy that carried out massive raids in many places in the US. They assessed that ICE agents in masks and full armor acted beyond the limits, were repressive, and racist.
Many US citizens are also starting to worry that this immigration operation is not focused and acts fairly because it randomly arrests anyone who speaks Spanish or is brown.
The killing of two US citizens by ICE agents last month in Minneapolis has heightened those tensions.
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Bad Bunny is not alone in condemning ICE's actions, many musicians and celebrities have taken part in the 2026 Grammy Awards.
Just to name a few, Justin and Hailey Bieber, veteran singer Joni Mitchell, US singer Jordan Tyson, and actress and singer Helen J. Shen, and many more.
They wore luxurious clothes or dresses by Valentino, Chanel, and Saint Laurent on the red carpet, adding "ICE out" ponchos to their outfits.
"I'm scared, I'm very worried," Gloria Estefan told AFP backstage after winning a Grammy for best tropical Latin album.
"I don't think anyone would say we want chaos at the border, but what's happening is absolutely not 'catching criminals'. These are people who have families, who have contributed to this country for decades, small children. There are hundreds of children in detention centers. It's inhumane. I don't recognize my country right now," he continued.
"I guess, I want to say that I'm here as the grandchild of an immigrant," said British singer Olivia Dean - who has a British father and a Jamaican-Guyanese mother - after winning the prestigious Grammy for Best New Artist.
"I am a product of courage, and I think those people deserve to be celebrated," he continued.
"Immigrants built this country," said newcomer country star Shaboozey, who was born in Virginia to Nigerian parents, to the audience after winning the Grammy for best country duo/group performance with Jelly Roll.
"So this is for them, for all immigrant children." "This is also for those who come to this country to seek better opportunities, to be part of a nation that promises freedom for all and equal opportunity for everyone who is willing to work hard for it," the artist said.
"Thank you for bringing your culture, music, stories, and traditions here. You've colored America," he continued.
US singer Billie Eilish, who won the Grammy for Best Song of the Year with her song "Wildflower", said she was grateful for the award.
However, he added: "Although I feel grateful, honestly I just feel like I don't need to say anything, except that no one is illegal on stolen land. It's really hard to know what to say and what to do right now. I feel like we just need to keep fighting, speaking up, and demonstrating, and our voices really matter, and those people matter."
Meanwhile, R&B singer SZA, who shared the 2026 Grammy Awards for Best Recording of the Year with Kendrick Lamar, admitted that she was saddened by the actions of Trump's ICE agents.
"It's horrible that we get dressed up and can celebrate awards... while people are being kidnapped and shot in the face in the streets," SZA said.
"It feels strange, and I feel like many of us don't know what to feel right now, other than angry and desperate. I just don't want everyone to fall into despair, because when you lose... the spirit, change becomes impossible," he continued.