At the Grammy Awards 2026, Billie Eilish secured a top honour by winning Song of the Year. The Wildflower singer utilised her acceptance speech to comment on the ongoing crackdown by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on illegal immigrants. She strongly criticised the ICE At Grammys, referring to America as “stolen land.”
In a sentiment shared by Kehlani, Bad Bunny, and several other artists, Billie openly expressed, “f**k ICE.” Furthermore, she urged her fellow musicians and creatives to harness their platforms to speak out, unite, and protest against injustice. This reinforced the increasing trend of political expression at this year’s Grammys.
Billie Eilish Condemns ICE At Grammys
Billie Eilish received the award for song of the year for her track “Wildflower” and took the opportunity to voice her support for fellow musicians who are criticising immigration authorities on Sunday. “No one is illegal on stolen land,” she stated while accepting the accolade for the song from her 2024 album “Hit Me Hard and Soft.” “(Expletive) ICE is all I want to say.”
The theme of immigration was a significant focus of the evening. Bad Bunny, upon winning an award for his influential album “Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” utilised his speech to convey an anti-ICE message, emphasising the humanity of all individuals. Read below to learn more about the Billie Eilish statement “No One Is Illegal On Stolen Land”.
Billie Eilish Speech At Grammy Awards
At the Grammy Awards, Billie Eilish, alongside Bad Bunny, voiced her opposition to ICE during her acceptance speech, criticising the agency after receiving the song of the year award for “Wildflower.” The singer was muted as she declared, “fuck ICE,” delivering a strong message during her address. “Thank you so much. I can hardly believe this.
The other nominees in this category are all remarkable. I love you dearly,” she stated, next to her brother Finneas. “I feel incredibly honoured every time I find myself in this room. While I am deeply grateful, I honestly believe I should express that no one is illegal on stolen land. It is quite difficult to determine what to say and what actions to take at this time, but I feel a sense of hope in this space, and I believe we must persist in fighting, speaking out, and protesting, as our voices are significant, and the people are significant, and fuck ICE. That is all I will say. I apologize. Thank you so much.”
Meaning Behind “No One Is Illegal on Stolen Land”
The statement “No one is illegal on stolen land” is not new. It has been employed for many years by Indigenous rights activists, immigration advocates, and scholars to contend that:
- The foundation of the United States was built upon the colonisation and displacement of Native peoples.
- Borders are political constructs shaped by power relations and historical narratives.
- Criminalising migration disregards historical obligations.
By saying this, Billie Eilish has associated herself with a viewpoint that perceives immigration as a human rights matter instead of a law enforcement challenge.
Reasons Behind Billie Eilish’s Criticism of ICE
Issues Related to Immigration Enforcement
ICE has garnered significant controversy, especially regarding its involvement in:
- The deportation of undocumented immigrants
- The separation of families
- The conditions within detention facilities
- The aggressive tactics employed in enforcement
Critics contend that the practices of ICE disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, such as children and those seeking asylum.
Billie Eilish’s denunciation highlights these issues, advocating for compassion, dignity, and humanity rather than punitive measures.
