Billie Eilish used her MLK Jr. award speech to denounce what she described as kidnappings and attacks on protesters amid recent immigration raids. Her remarks — and a prior Instagram post calling ICE a "terrorist group" — appeared to reference the fatal shooting of Renee Good and have drawn a sharp rebuttal from DHS, which cited newly released footage and raised concerns about inflammatory rhetoric. The exchange has intensified protests and a broader national debate over immigration enforcement.
Billie Eilish Calls Out 'Kidnappings' and Violence in Award Speech, Prompting DHS Rebuttal
Billie Eilish indirectly condemned ICE raids during an acceptance speech on Sunday.(Getty Images)
Pop star Billie Eilish used her acceptance of the 2026 MLK Jr. Beloved Community Environmental Justice Award to condemn what she described as kidnappings and attacks on peaceful protesters amid recent immigration enforcement actions.
Speech Highlights
Addressing the audience, Eilish said she felt unworthy of the honor given the current political climate. She criticized what she called an erosion of civil rights and the undermining of environmental protections while raising alarm about threats to community safety.
Billie Eilish previously shared a post calling ICE a "terrorist group."
"We’re seeing our neighbors being kidnapped, peaceful protesters being assaulted and murdered, our civil rights being stripped... and people’s access to food and healthcare becoming a privilege for the wealthy instead of a basic human right for all Americans," Eilish said.
Context And Reaction
Although Eilish did not explicitly name Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during the speech, her remarks were widely interpreted as referring to recent immigration raids and the fatal shooting of Renee Good earlier this month. Authorities say an ICE agent shot Good after she drove toward the agent; supporters of Good argue the killing was unjustified. The incident has sparked protests and intensified debate about immigration enforcement nationwide.
On Jan. 9, Eilish had earlier posted on Instagram calling ICE a "terrorist group" after Good's death, accusing the agency of tearing families apart. Her social posts and speech drew a response from the Department of Homeland Security.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin criticized Billie Eilish's Instagram reposts earlier this month.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin issued a statement disputing Eilish's characterization. McLaughlin pointed to newly released footage she said corroborates the agency's account that the individual "impeded law enforcement and weaponized her vehicle in an attempt to kill or cause bodily harm to federal law enforcement." The statement also defended ICE practices around family separations and cited reported increases in attacks on officers—figures the department said were linked to inflammatory rhetoric.
Fox News Digital reported it reached out to ICE and DHS for further comment. The exchange highlights how a high-profile celebrity statement can amplify tensions and drive public attention to an ongoing policy debate.
Ongoing Debate
Supporters of Eilish say her comments draw attention to civil-rights and humanitarian concerns surrounding immigration enforcement; critics, including DHS officials, argue her statements misrepresent facts and can inflame violence against law enforcement. The controversy continues to fuel protests and national discussion about accountability, policing and immigration policy.
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