Musicians Who Slammed ICE

Immigration policy and enforcement have become focal points for political discourse within the music industry in recent years. Many artists have utilized their platforms to protest the actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) through public statements and organized boycotts. A significant number of musicians signed an open letter pledging to sever ties with companies that provide technical support to the agency. The following list highlights the artists who have vocalized their opposition to ICE and its operations.

John Legend

John Legend has been a consistent advocate for immigrant rights and criminal justice reform throughout his career. He launched the FreeAmerica campaign to specifically address mass incarceration and the detention of immigrants in the United States. Legend visited detention centers to witness the living conditions of detainees and share their stories with the public. He frequently uses his social media presence to call for an end to family separations at the border.

Cardi B

Cardi B often uses her massive platform to discuss political issues and has been critical of government spending on border security. She posted several viral videos expressing her frustration with the government shutdown and the allocation of funds for a border wall. The rapper emphasized the contributions of immigrants to the country and criticized their treatment by enforcement agencies. Her commentary brought mainstream attention to the complexities of immigration policy.

Tom Morello

The Rage Against the Machine guitarist is well known for his lifelong commitment to political activism and social justice. Morello has explicitly called for the abolition of ICE during his live performances and in various interviews. He often uses his guitar as a symbol of protest and displays messages of solidarity with migrants during shows. His music continues to serve as a rallying cry for those opposing authoritarian enforcement tactics.

Vic Mensa

Vic Mensa actively participated in physical protests against the detention of immigrants in the United States. He joined a demonstration outside a detention center in Los Angeles to demand the release of individuals held in custody. The rapper has written op-eds and spoken at rallies to highlight the human rights implications of current immigration laws. He consistently urges his fanbase to get involved in local activism to protect vulnerable communities.

Common

Common has utilized his influence to shine a light on the conditions faced by incarcerated individuals and detained immigrants. He performed a concert outside a detention facility in California to show solidarity with those inside the walls. The artist frequently collaborates with social justice organizations to advocate for policy changes regarding detention and deportation. His work aims to humanize those who are often reduced to statistics in political debates.

Miguel

Miguel hosted a free concert in his hometown specifically to raise funds for legal services for immigrants facing deportation. He spoke passionately about his own family history and the need to treat all people with dignity and respect. The singer partnered with advocacy groups to ensure that the proceeds went directly to helping families navigate the legal system. He continues to speak out against policies that lead to the separation of families.

Sadie Dupuis

Sadie Dupuis of the band Speedy Ortiz was instrumental in organizing a major industry boycott known as No Music For ICE. She helped draft an open letter that demanded technology companies stop providing cloud services to the government agency. Dupuis rallied hundreds of other independent artists to sign the pledge and remove their music from specific platforms. Her organizing efforts demonstrated the collective power of the independent music community.

Mitski

Mitski added her name to the long list of artists demanding that tech giants cut ties with immigration enforcement agencies. She supported the boycott which threatened to pull music from streaming services associated with ICE contractors. Her participation helped bring significant visibility to the cause due to her large and dedicated following. She continues to advocate for ethical standards within the music industry distribution model.

Jeff Rosenstock

The punk musician was an early signatory to the boycott against web services that host data for immigration enforcement. Rosenstock has a long history of promoting ethical consumption and independent distribution in music. He used his platform to explain why musicians should not support companies that facilitate deportation machinery. His stance encouraged many fans to reconsider their own support of these corporations.

Zola Jesus

Zola Jesus publicly supported the movement to hold tech giants accountable for facilitating deportation and surveillance. She was one of the initial artists to sign the petition and share the campaign’s demands with her audience. The electronic artist frequently discusses the moral obligations of creators in the digital age. She argued that silence on these issues amounts to complicity with the agency’s actions.

Snail Mail

Lindsey Jordan joined hundreds of other indie artists in the pledge to stop performing at Amazon-sponsored festivals. She added her name to the No Music For ICE letter to protest the use of technology in tracking migrants. Jordan’s involvement signaled that the younger generation of indie rockers was deeply engaged in political activism. She continues to support marginalized communities through her work.

Aloe Blacc

Aloe Blacc partnered with the organization RAICES to raise awareness about family separations taking place at the border. He released music videos that depicted the struggles of immigrants and the fear of deportation. The singer has spoken at rallies and used his art to humanize the statistics often cited in the news. He actively encourages his fans to donate to legal defense funds for migrants.

Demi Lovato

Demi Lovato publicly criticized ICE following the arrest of rapper 21 Savage by the agency. She condemned the memes and jokes that circulated online regarding his detention and possible deportation. Lovato highlighted the seriousness of the situation and the fear that many immigrants live with daily. Her comments sparked a wider conversation about empathy and the reality of immigration enforcement.

Questlove

Questlove expressed outrage over the treatment of 21 Savage and the general aggressive tactics of the agency during that incident. He used his social media accounts to share information about the rapper’s legal situation and the broader context of immigration law. The musician called for a more humane approach to handling visa overstays and immigration status. He consistently advocates for justice and fairness within the legal system.

Fiona Apple

Fiona Apple pledged to donate royalties from her hit song ‘Criminal’ to the terrified families struggling at the border. She directed the funds to the While They Wait fund which assists refugees with basic necessities and legal fees. Apple stated that she felt frustration with the government’s handling of immigration and wanted to help directly. Her donation provided tangible support to those affected by ICE policies.

Sia

Sia used her Twitter account to explicitly tweet the phrase Abolish ICE during the height of the family separation crisis. She has also participated in fundraising efforts to support legal aid for immigrants. The singer often uses her visibility to amplify the messages of human rights organizations. Her direct call for the abolition of the agency aligned her with the most progressive activists.

Xiu Xiu

The experimental group signed the open letter to protest the human rights abuses attributed to ICE operations. Xiu Xiu has never shied away from confronting difficult and dark subject matter in their work or politics. They viewed the boycott as a moral necessity to avoid being complicit in the machinery of deportation. The band continues to support radical political changes through their art.

Priests

The D.C. punk band has been vocal about political issues and signed the letter condemning the agency. Priests have always operated with a ethos of questioning authority and challenging the status quo. They used their visibility to draw attention to the corporate ties that enable ICE to operate efficiently. The band views music as a tool for social change and political disruption.

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