Grammys Stars Wear 'ICE OUT' Pins in Immigration Protest

The 2026 Grammy Awards red carpet became a platform for political resistance as major artists including Billie Eilish, Justin and Hailey Bieber, and Kehlani wore black-and-white "ICE OUT" pins to protest federal immigration enforcement tactics.

The coordinated display at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles represents a growing movement among entertainers to challenge Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations following recent high-profile incidents that sparked national outrage.

Artists Demand Action on Immigration Reform

"We're too powerful of a group to all be in a room at the same time and not make some kind of statement," Kehlani told The Hollywood Reporter on the red carpet. The sentiment reflects a broader shift in how celebrities are using their platforms to address systemic injustices.

Songwriter Amy Allen emphasized the importance of visibility, stating it was crucial to "spread the word and get the message out that change needs to happen in this country in so many ways."

Grassroots Campaign Gains Momentum

The pins emerged from a coalition including the American Civil Liberties Union, Maremoto, the National Domestic Workers Alliance, and Working Families Power. The campaign began at the Golden Globes in January, where Mark Ruffalo, Ariana Grande, and Jean Smart first wore the accessories.

Nelini Stamp, director of strategy at Working Families Power, explained the campaign's urgency: "If the people in power are not going to do anything about this, we need to make sure that every single cultural event people see this message."

Music as Political Resistance

The Grammy protest highlights music's historical role in social movements. Recent weeks have seen artists like Bruce Springsteen debut protest songs and Lady Gaga pause concerts to condemn immigration enforcement actions.

Musicians including Sabrina Carpenter and Olivia Rodrigo have also spoken out against unauthorized use of their songs in administration social media posts promoting immigration policies.

Beyond Symbolic Gestures

While critics often dismiss celebrity activism as performative, organizers argue these visible displays serve a crucial purpose in mobilizing public opinion and encouraging concrete action.

Stamp expressed hope that Grammy viewers would be inspired to contact representatives or donate to support systems, emphasizing that "people see that and say, I could do something if these folks can do something on one of the world's biggest stages."

The campaign continues a tradition of red carpet activism, following previous movements like Time's Up and voter registration drives that have used entertainment industry visibility to advance social justice causes.