Celebrities Protest ICE Policies at the 2026 Grammy Awards
The 68th Annual Grammy Awards, held Sunday in Los Angeles, saw the red carpet transformed into a visible platform for political protest, as numerous attendees donned “Ice Out” pins to demonstrate opposition to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) policies.
The display of solidarity comes amid heightened scrutiny of ICE’s actions, particularly following a fatal shooting in Minneapolis earlier this year and a wave of aggressive enforcement operations. The “Ice Out” pins, a symbol of resistance against ICE’s practices, have been gaining traction throughout awards season, signaling a growing movement within the entertainment industry.
A Growing Wave of Protest
The protest at the Grammys builds on demonstrations that have been unfolding across the country, particularly in Minnesota. In early January, a large-scale federal immigration operation in the Twin Cities tragically culminated in the death of 37-year-old Renee Good, shot by an ICE agent in south Minneapolis. The incident, captured on video, is currently under investigation, with conflicting reports fueling public outrage. The death of Good, alongside that of Alex Perri during the same operations, has sparked protests, school walkouts, and nightly vigils, centering Minneapolis as a focal point of national anger regarding ICE’s deportation practices.
Stars Take a Stand
A diverse array of artists used the high-profile event to voice their opposition. Among those spotted wearing the “Ice Out” pins were Billie Eilish, Justin Bieber, and music icon Joni Mitchell, who accepted the Best Historical Album award for “Joni Mitchell Archives – Volume 4: The Asylum Years — 1976-1980” while wearing the pin. Other prominent figures joining the demonstration included Kehlani, Margo Price, and Justin Vernon of Bon Iver.
The movement extended beyond musical performers. Celebrities such as Ariana Grande, Natalie Portman, Jean Smart, Olivia Wilde, and Natasha Lyonne have also worn the pins at previous events, demonstrating a broad base of support within the entertainment community.
A full list of celebrities who wore the “Ice Out” pin at the 2026 Grammy Awards includes:
- Joni Mitchell
- Billie Eilish
- Claudia Sulewski and Finneas O’Connell
- Kehlani
- Margo Price
- Justin Vernon of Bon Iver
- Samara Joy
- Jim-E Stack
- Kamal Wilson
- Amy Allen
- Jordan Tyson
- Kevin Csolak and Jordan Tyson
- Alan Pierson and Paul Melnikow
- Helen J. Shen
- Meg Pickarski and Curtis Stewart
The coordinated display at the Grammys underscores a growing willingness among celebrities to leverage their platforms to advocate for social and political change, and to challenge the policies of ICE amid increasing concerns about its impact on communities across the nation.
