Bad Bunny used his Grammy Awards acceptance speech to deliver a pointed two-word message about immigration enforcement, telling the audience “ICE out” as he accepted the award for best música urbana album at the 68th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, February 1, 2026.
The Puerto Rican superstar received a standing ovation from the star-studded crowd after his remarks, which came amid the Trump administration’s crackdown on illegal immigration. The moment marked one of the most politically charged speeches of the night at the ceremony hosted by Trevor Noah.
Bad Bunny did not perform at the ceremony. The singer did not schedule any U.S. tour stops for his latest world tour, though he held a residency in Puerto Rico from July 11 to September 20. He is scheduled to headline the Super Bowl halftime show next Sunday.
The reggaeton artist’s comments reference U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the federal agency responsible for immigration enforcement operations. His Grammy speech represents the latest in a series of public statements Bad Bunny has made regarding immigration policy and ICE activities.
The Trump administration’s immigration enforcement operations have drawn intense scrutiny following several incidents in Minneapolis, including the shooting deaths of two American citizens, Alex Pretti and Renee Good. The Minneapolis area has become a focal point for immigration enforcement activities and protests against federal operations.
In Columbia Heights, Minnesota, a five-year-old named Liam Conejo Ramos was detained by ICE agents along with his father. The pair were later released from an ICE facility in Texas. Following the incident, schools in the Columbia Heights School District closed Monday, February 2, 2026, amid bomb threats.
Attorney General Pam Bondi announced two more arrests in connection with a church protest at a St. Paul church on January 18. Ian Davis Austin and Jerome Deangelo Richardson were taken into custody, joining other individuals charged in the incident, including Don Lemon.
Bad Bunny backed Kamala Harris in the 2024 election, supporting the Democratic candidate over Donald Trump.
The artist has consistently used his platform to address immigration issues and advocate for Latino communities. His influence extends beyond music into political activism, particularly on issues affecting Puerto Ricans and other Hispanic Americans. With millions of followers across social media platforms, his Grammy speech reached a global audience at one of music’s most-watched events.
Immigration enforcement has become a defining issue of Trump’s second term in office. The administration has expanded ICE operations across the country, leading to increased detentions and deportations. These actions have sparked protests, sanctuary city debates, and legal challenges from civil rights organizations.
The Grammy Awards ceremony provided a high-profile platform for Bad Bunny’s message. Award shows have historically served as venues for artists to make political statements, from Marvin Gaye’s Vietnam War-era performances to Beyoncé’s Black Lives Matter-themed Super Bowl show. Bad Bunny’s brief but direct comment continued this tradition of using entertainment industry platforms to address social and political issues.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement, commonly known as ICE, operates under the Department of Homeland Security. The agency’s primary responsibilities include enforcing immigration laws, investigating cross-border criminal activity, and detaining and removing individuals who are in the country illegally.
In other news drawing national attention Monday, Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Savannah Guthrie, was reported missing on January 31 in Pima County, Arizona. Sheriff Chris Nanos said authorities are treating the disappearance as a crime.
“She did not leave on her own. We know that,” Nanos said.
In Washington, a whistleblower complaint filed last May against Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has drawn attention.
CBS News announced it was cutting ties with contributor Peter Attia. Peter Attia’s name appeared 1,700 times in recently released Epstein files, prompting the network to reverse course on the partnership.
Bad Bunny’s Grammy win for best música urbana album adds to his growing collection of awards and recognitions. The category celebrates urban Latin music, including reggaeton, Latin trap, and other genres that have exploded in global popularity over the past decade. His album’s success reflects the continued mainstream embrace of Spanish-language music in the American market.
As Bad Bunny prepares for his Super Bowl halftime show performance next Sunday, his Grammy speech has already become one of the most-discussed moments from the awards ceremony. The brief statement encapsulated growing tensions over immigration policy while demonstrating how artists continue to use major platforms to amplify political messages to mass audiences.
The intersection of entertainment and politics has become increasingly prominent in recent years, with celebrities facing both praise and criticism for taking public stances on controversial issues. Bad Bunny’s two-word declaration at the Grammys exemplifies this trend, using the brevity and directness of the message to maximize impact. Whether his statement will influence public opinion or policy remains to be seen, but it ensured immigration enforcement remained in the national conversation as the administration continues its crackdown operations across the country.
