Pop star Billie Eilish appeared to denounce Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids after claiming that people were being “kidnapped” and “assaulted and murdered” during an acceptance speech on Saturday.
Though Eilish did not directly reference ICE operations by name, she alluded to the ongoing immigration raids while receiving the 2026 MLK Jr. Beloved Community Environmental Justice Award.
“To be honest, I really don’t feel deserving,” Eilish said. “And it’s very strange to be celebrated for working towards environmental justice at a time where it feels less achievable than ever, given the state of our country and the world right now.”
“We’re seeing our neighbors being kidnapped, peaceful protesters being assaulted and murdered, our civil rights being stripped, resources to fight the climate crisis being cut for fossil fuels and animal agriculture destroying our planet, and people’s access to food and healthcare becoming a privilege for the wealthy instead of a new basic human right for all Americans,” her speech continued.
“It is very clear that protecting our planet and our communities is not a priority for this administration. And it’s really hard to celebrate that when we no longer feel safe in our own homes or in our streets,” Eilish added.
Her comments appeared to reference the recent death of Renee Good, who was shot and killed by an ICE agent earlier this month in what the administration has called self-defense as she drove her car toward him. Good’s defenders have said she was killed unjustifiably, and her death has sparked widespread protests and strife in Minnesota and around the country.
