Artists Address Immigration Issues at Grammys While Accepting Major Awards

The 2026 Grammy Awards saw several prominent winners using their acceptance speeches to address immigration issues in the United States. Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny, who became the first Spanish-language artist to win Album of the Year and also took home Best Musica Urbana Album, opened his speech with ‘ICE out,’ emphasizing that immigrants are humans and Americans, not ‘savages’ or ‘aliens.’ British singer Olivia Dean, winner of Best New Artist for her hit ‘Man I Need,’ shared an emotional message honoring her immigrant heritage, highlighting the bravery of immigrants and the importance of celebrating them. Billie Eilish, who won Song of the Year for ‘Wildflower,’ spoke about human rights, stating ‘No one is illegal on stolen land’ and stressing that voices and people matter. The ceremony also included multiple historic wins, such as Kendrick Lamar becoming the most awarded hip-hop artist in Grammys history, Golden from KPop Demon Hunters winning the first-ever Grammy for a K-Pop song, and Lola Young winning Best Pop Solo Performance. Several stars, including Justin and Hailey Bieber, wore badges in opposition to the increased presence of federal immigration agents in Minneapolis, following public outcry after recent Border Patrol shootings. The night also featured performances from Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, Tyler, The Creator, and tributes to Ozzy Osbourne, D’Angelo, and Roberta Flack, making it a politically charged yet celebratory event.