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Grammy Awards spotlight political tensions over immigration
At music's most prestigious ceremony, artists including Bad Bunny, Olivia Dean, and Gloria Estefan delivered pointed critiques of the Trump administration's immigration enforcement, as protests over recent fatal shootings by federal agents continue across the U.S.
Bad Bunny leads political statements
Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny set the tone for the night's political messaging after winning best música urbana album. From the stage, he declared, "Before I say thanks to God, I'm going to say ICE out," referencing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
"We're not savages, we're not animals, we're not aliens-we're humans. The hate gets more powerful with more hate. The only thing that's more powerful than hate is love, so please, we need to be different. If we fight, we have to do it with love."
Bad Bunny
His remarks followed weeks of unrest in Minneapolis, where federal agents shot and killed two residents, sparking nationwide protests and bipartisan criticism.
Artists rally behind immigrant communities
Olivia Dean, winner of best new artist, dedicated her victory to immigrants, calling herself "the granddaughter of an immigrant" from the Windrush Generation. "I'm a product of bravery, and those people deserve to be celebrated," she said. "We're nothing without each other."
Billie Eilish, accepting song of the year for Wildflower, urged continued activism: "It's really hard to know what to say right now. We just need to keep fighting and speaking up. Our voices really do matter."
SZA, who shared record of the year with Kendrick Lamar, echoed the call for unity: "Please don't fall into despair. We're not governed by the government; we are governed by God."
Red carpet protests
Before the ceremony, attendees wore white "ICE OUT" pins, including Kehlani, who won two R&B awards. "An artist's job is to reflect the times," she told reporters. "We have an opportunity to use our platform wisely."
Trump administration responds to backlash
President Donald Trump claimed his administration would "de-escalate" operations in Minnesota, while border official Tom Homan stated federal forces would "draw down" if local authorities cooperated. However, Homan insisted the mission remained unchanged: "We're just doing it smarter."
The Justice Department launched a civil rights investigation into the death of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old nurse killed by ICE agents-the second such fatal shooting in Minneapolis since January.
Legacy and resistance
Gloria Estefan, winner of best tropical Latin album, condemned the raids backstage: "These are people who have contributed to this country for decades, not criminals." She urged the U.S. to uphold its democratic values, "the reason why everyone wants to be here."
Country artist Shaboozey, who won for best country duo performance, dedicated his award to immigrants: "Immigrants built this country. This is for them, for all children of immigrants."
