Badges with the inscription ICE OUT became an important detail on the costumes of many stars who attended the Grammy ceremony on February 1 – 2026. We tell you what message celebrities are trying to convey with their help.
In January, Minneapolis mother of three Renee Goode became the ninth person to be shot and killed by an ICE officer since September 2025. The tragedy sparked nationwide protests. Seventeen days after Goode’s death, federal agents in the same city shot and killed 37-year-old Alex Pretty, an American intensive care nurse. Both cases were tragic reminders of the massive humanitarian crisis at the hands of ICE and the Federal Customs Service, and sparked broader protests against the use of force. Today, thousands of people are held in ICE detention centers, and immigrant communities across the country live in constant fear. Increased federal raids initiated by the administration of President Donald Trump have had a profound impact on the lives of migrants and their families.
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Hailey Bieber
On the eve of the Grammy Awards, on January 30, thousands of people in various cities in the United States took to the streets in mass protests. They demanded justice and an end to violence by federal agencies. On Sunday evening, February 1, this protest message was also heard at the 2026 Grammy Awards. It was there that the topic of ICE's actions gained global publicity thanks to the public stance of famous artists.
Justin Bieber
During the Grammys, a number of celebrities appeared with ICE OUT badges, including Billie Eilish, Justin and Hailey Bieber, Bon Iver, Jack Antonoff, Margot Price, Samara Joy, and Kehlani. The badges were a sign of solidarity with victims of federal violence. They were dedicated to the memory of Renee Goode, Alex Pretty, Los Angeles father of two Keith Porter Jr., and others who have died as a result of ICE.
Finneas O'Connell and Billie Eilish
While accepting the Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance, Kehlani addressed the audience with a direct appeal. She emphasized the importance of unity in the artistic community and the need to speak out about violence and human rights violations. Her short phrase, “Fuck ICE,” became one of the most talked-about moments of the 2026 Grammys and quickly went viral. Billie Eilish also said the same phrase during her acceptance speech. And Bad Bunny said, “Before I thank God, I'm going to say: ICE OUT. We are not savages, we are not animals. We are people, and we are Americans.”
Kelani
The anti-ICE message first appeared a few weeks earlier at the 2026 Golden Globes, when Gene Smart, Mark Ruffalo, Wanda Sykes, and other famous actors and celebrities were spotted on the red carpet with BE GOOD badges. It was from the Golden Globes that this symbolic gesture began to spread to other major cultural and social events in 2026.
The ICE OUT and BE GOOD badges were created as part of a joint initiative by several organizations, including the ACLU, Maremoto, Move On, the National Domestic Workers Alliance, and Working Families Power. The campaign's press release emphasized that the badges have not only political but also deep humanistic significance.
Natasha Lyonne and Clea DuVall at the Golden Globe Awards
The organizers' statement noted that the #BeGood campaign is dedicated to honoring the memory of Renee McLean Good and Keith Porter. At the same time, it reminds us of basic human values. Being good means being a responsible citizen, a caring neighbor, a reliable friend and ally. In the context of fear and violence, it also means remaining human.
Mark Ruffalo at the Golden Globe Awards
The statement paid special attention to the everyday actions of ordinary people. Every day, in different cities and neighborhoods, people help children get to school safely. They record on video cases when parents are forcibly taken from their workplaces. They donate funds to support organizations that work to protect immigrant communities and human rights. It is these actions, according to the organizers, that form real solidarity.
Although the ICE OUT and BE GOOD campaign statement was modest in form, its content was extremely resonant. It became an important part of a broader public debate about ICE operations, US federal policy, and the responsibility of cultural institutions. In 2026, the Grammys, Golden Globes, and other award ceremonies became not only entertainment industry events, but also platforms for socially important statements.