Musicians Who Slammed ICE

As a huge music fan, I’ve noticed a real shift lately where a lot of artists are speaking out about immigration policies. It’s become a big topic of conversation in the industry. Many musicians are using their voices to protest what Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is doing, even organizing boycotts. I remember seeing an open letter signed by tons of artists promising to stop working with any company that helps ICE with its technology. Below, I’ve put together a list of the musicians who‘ve been particularly outspoken about their opposition to ICE and its actions.

John Legend

John Legend has long been a strong voice for both immigrant rights and changes to the criminal justice system. His FreeAmerica campaign focuses on issues like mass incarceration and the detention of immigrants in the U.S. Legend has visited detention centers firsthand to see how people are treated and share their experiences. He also regularly uses social media to speak out against separating families at the border.

Cardi B

Cardi B frequently speaks out about political issues, and she’s been vocal about her concerns regarding how the government spends money on border security. She shared several popular videos criticizing the government shutdown and the funding used for a border wall. The rapper highlighted the positive impact immigrants have on the country and criticized how they are treated. Her comments helped bring more public attention to the complicated issues surrounding immigration policy.

Tom Morello

Tom Morello, the guitarist from Rage Against the Machine, is famous for his long-standing dedication to political activism and fighting for social justice. He’s publicly advocated for abolishing ICE, both during concerts and in interviews. Morello frequently uses his guitar to express his protests and shows support for migrants at his performances. His music continues to inspire and unite people who oppose harsh and unfair law enforcement practices.

Vic Mensa

Vic Mensa has been a vocal and active opponent of immigrant detention in the U.S. He protested outside a Los Angeles detention center, calling for the release of those held there. Beyond protests, Mensa has used his platform to raise awareness about the human rights issues surrounding immigration through opinion pieces and public speaking. He also encourages his fans to take action and support vulnerable communities in their own areas.

Common

Common uses his platform to raise awareness about the difficult circumstances faced by people in prison and immigration detention. He’s shown support for those detained, even performing a concert outside a California detention center. He often works with groups fighting for social justice, pushing for changes to policies around detention and deportation. Ultimately, his efforts aim to remind people that these individuals are more than just numbers in political discussions – they are human beings.

Miguel

Miguel held a free concert in his hometown to raise money for legal help for immigrants at risk of deportation. Sharing his family’s story, he emphasized the importance of treating everyone with respect. He worked with immigrant advocacy groups to make sure all the money raised went directly to helping families with their legal cases, and he continues to advocate against policies that separate families.

Sadie Dupuis

Sadie Dupuis, from the band Speedy Ortiz, played a key role in organizing a significant boycott called No Music For ICE. She wrote a letter asking tech companies to stop supporting the agency with their cloud services, and then gathered hundreds of independent musicians to sign it and take their music off certain platforms. This showed how much power independent artists have when they work together.

Mitski

Mitski has joined other artists calling on major tech companies to stop working with immigration enforcement. She publicly supported a boycott aimed at removing music from streaming platforms that do business with ICE contractors. Because she has a large and devoted fanbase, her involvement brought a lot of attention to the issue. Mitski remains committed to promoting fairness and ethical practices in how music is distributed.

Jeff Rosenstock

The punk musician was one of the first to publicly support a boycott of online services used by immigration enforcement. Known for championing ethical choices and independent music distribution, Rosenstock explained why musicians shouldn’t support companies involved in deportations. His position led many fans to question their own support for those companies.

Zola Jesus

Zola Jesus has spoken out in support of holding large tech companies responsible for their role in deportation and surveillance. She was an early signatory to a petition demanding accountability and shared it with her fans. The electronic musician often talks about the ethical responsibilities of artists in today’s digital world, stating that remaining silent on these issues is essentially supporting harmful actions.

Snail Mail

Lindsey Jordan, like many independent artists, publicly committed to not performing at festivals sponsored by Amazon. She also signed a letter called ‘No Music For ICE’ to protest the use of technology to track immigrants. Jordan’s actions demonstrate a strong commitment to political activism among younger indie musicians, and she consistently uses her platform to support those in need.

Aloe Blacc

Aloe Blacc is working with RAICES to highlight the issue of families being separated at the border. Through his music videos, he shares the difficult experiences of immigrants and the worry of being deported. Blacc also speaks at events and uses his music to remind people that these issues affect real individuals, not just numbers in the news. He encourages his fans to support organizations providing legal help to migrants.

Demi Lovato

Demi Lovato spoke out against ICE after rapper 21 Savage was arrested by the agency. She was critical of the online jokes and memes about his arrest and potential deportation, emphasizing the serious and frightening reality many immigrants face every day. Lovato’s comments led to a broader discussion about showing empathy and understanding what it’s like to be affected by immigration enforcement.

Questlove

Questlove was upset by how 21 Savage was treated and the harsh methods used by immigration authorities. He used social media to share details about the rapper’s case and explain the complexities of immigration law. The musician urged for a more compassionate approach to people who overstay their visas or have issues with their immigration status, consistently speaking out for fairness and justice in the legal system.

Fiona Apple

Fiona Apple is donating the money she earns from her song ‘Criminal’ to families who are struggling at the border. The funds will go to While They Wait, an organization that helps refugees with essential needs and legal costs. Apple explained she was upset with how the government was dealing with immigration and wanted to offer direct assistance. Her donation will provide real help to people impacted by ICE policies.

Sia

During the time families were being separated at the border, singer Sia publicly called for the abolishment of ICE on Twitter. She’s also raised money to help provide legal assistance to immigrants and frequently uses her platform to support human rights groups. This direct stance put her among those advocating for the most significant changes to immigration policy.

Xiu Xiu

The band Xiu Xiu joined an open letter to protest human rights violations connected to ICE. Known for tackling tough and sensitive topics in their music and political views, they felt a boycott was essential to avoid supporting deportation practices. Xiu Xiu remains committed to advocating for significant political change through their art.

Priests

This D.C. punk band is known for speaking out on political matters and publicly denounced the agency in question. Rooted in a tradition of questioning power and challenging norms, the band used its platform to highlight the corporate connections that support ICE’s operations. They believe music can be a powerful force for creating social and political change.

Please share your thoughts on how musicians can influence political change in the comments.

2026-01-31 13:16