At the 68th annual Grammy Awards held on Sunday, February 1, 2026, Bad Bunny, a renowned singer, conveyed a succinct message about immigration enforcement in his acceptance speech. His words, “ICE out,” came as he received the Album of the Year award and two other honors.
The Puerto Rican music star, Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, 31, known professionally as Bad Bunny, earned a standing ovation from the crowd after his statement. The speech was one of the most politically charged moments of the night, amidst the Trump administration’s heightened focus on illegal immigration. The event was hosted by Trevor Noah.
Despite not performing at the ceremony, Bad Bunny made headlines. He had no U.S. tour stops scheduled for his recent world tour but maintained a residency in Puerto Rico from July 11 to September 20. Bad Bunny is also slated to headline the Super Bowl halftime show on the following Sunday, February 8.
His comments during the Grammy speech were aimed at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the federal agency responsible for immigration enforcement. This is not the first time Bad Bunny has spoken out about immigration policy and ICE operations.
The Trump administration’s immigration enforcement tactics have come under severe criticism following incidents in Minneapolis, Minnesota, including the fatal shootings of American citizens Alex Pretti and Renee Good. The area has turned into a hotspot for immigration enforcement activities and anti-federal operations protests.
In Columbia Heights, Minnesota, Liam Conejo Ramos, a five-year-old, was detained by ICE agents along with his father. Following national backlash, they were subsequently released from an ICE facility in Texas. The Columbia Heights School District closed schools on Monday, February 2, 2026, due to bomb threats following the incident.
Pam Bondi, the Attorney General, announced the arrests of Ian Davis Austin and Jerome Deangelo Richardson in connection with a protest at a St. Paul, Minnesota church on January 18. They join others previously charged, including Don Lemon.
In the 2024 election, Bad Bunny publicly supported Kamala Harris, the Democratic candidate, over Donald Trump.
Long known for using his platform to address immigration issues and advocate for Latino communities, Bad Bunny’s influence extends to political activism, particularly on subjects affecting Puerto Ricans and other Hispanic Americans. With followers in the millions across social media platforms, his Grammy speech was heard by a global audience during one of the music industry’s most-watched events.
Immigration enforcement has been a central issue of Trump’s second term. The administration has broadened ICE activities nationwide, leading to increased detentions and deportations. This has ignited protests, sparked sanctuary city debates, and prompted legal challenges from civil rights organizations.
The Grammy Awards provided a high-profile stage for Bad Bunny’s stance. Historically, award shows have served as platforms for artists to voice their political views, from Marvin Gaye’s Vietnam War-era performances to Beyoncé’s Black Lives Matter-themed Super Bowl show. Bad Bunny followed this tradition with his brief but potent comment.
Bad Bunny also received Grammys for Best Música Urbana Album and Best Global Music Performance. These honors recognize urban Latin music, including genres like reggaeton, Latin trap, which have surged in global popularity in recent years. The success of his album exemplifies the ongoing mainstream acceptance of Spanish-language music in the U.S. market.
As he prepares for his Super Bowl halftime show performance on the upcoming Sunday, Bad Bunny’s Grammy speech has already become one of the most talked-about moments from the awards ceremony. His concise statement highlighted the escalating tensions over immigration policy, demonstrating how artists continue to use large platforms to convey political messages to vast audiences.
