Billie Eilish and Justin Bieber among those who wore pins
You may have spotted a new fashion accessory at the Grammys on Sunday night.
Several artists wore pins with the words “ICE out” on them.
And some took it further and made ICE part of their acceptance speeches.
“Before I say thanks to God, I’m going to say ICE out,” said musician Bad Bunny after winning the Grammy for best música urbana album.
If you’re wondering what ICE is and why some people are speaking out against it, watch this video and then keep reading.
Why did these protests start in the first place?
Protests against ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) are not new.
They’ve been happening in the United States since last year.
They are in response to U.S. President Donald Trump directing ICE agents to deport or remove people who are living in the United States illegally.
He is acting on a promise he made when he campaigned to be president.
Protests escalated after the death of two U.S. citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Both were killed by federal agents last month.
To understand more about the history of the protests, read this article on deportation from June 2025.
Protestors in Minneapolis, Minnesota, hold up anti-ICE signs on Jan. 30. (Image credit: Adam Gray/The Associated Press)
What impact can celebrity protests have?
Celebrities added their voice to the protests at the Grammy Awards.
Billie Eilish, Finneas and Hailey and Justin Bieber all wore “ICE out” pins.
Musician Billie Eilish wore an ‘ICE out’ pin on the red carpet at the 68th Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California, on Feb. 1. (Image credit: Etienne Laurent/Getty Images)
A celebrity’s decision to draw attention to a protest can make a difference, said Yohuru Williams, a professor of history and founding director of the Racial Justice Initiative at the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota.
“I think it can be very useful and effective because what it does is raises awareness about what’s happening from people who have platforms,” he told CBC Kids News in an interview.
It puts a spotlight on the injustice and suffering of others and gives them a much larger platform, he added.
What’s Trump doing about it?
The day after the Grammy Awards aired, Trump was asked to comment.
“I thought the whole Grammys was terrible,” he told a reporter.
“I watched part of it. It’s not watchable.”
He did not comment on the “ICE out” pins or the acceptance speeches that commented on his policies.
For now, protests against ICE continue in parts of the United States and some politicians are demanding reforms to the department.
But when asked by a reporter if he will pull back on ICE agents in Minneapolis, Trump said, “No, no. Not at all.”
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With files from The Associated Press
TOP IMAGE CREDIT: Etienne Laurent/Getty Images, graphic design by Angelica Cooper