Bad Bunny received a standing ovation at the Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2026, after opening his acceptance speech with pointed remarks aimed at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement amid escalating tensions around immigration enforcement.
The 31-year-old Puerto Rican artist—born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio—took the stage at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles to accept the Grammy for Best Música Urbana Album for DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS.
“Before I say thanks to God, I’m gonna say ICE out. We’re not savage, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens—we are humans, and we are Americans,” he began, drawing applause and a standing ovation from the crowd.
He then shifted to a broader message about resisting resentment and responding to conflict with compassion.
“Also, I wanna say to the people: I know it’s tough not to hate these days, and I was thinking sometimes we get contaminado. I don’t know how to say that in English,” he added. (“Contaminado” translates to “contaminated” in English.)
Bad Bunny emphasized that “the only thing that is more powerful than hate is love,” urging people to be intentional about how they confront division.
“We have to be different. If we fight, we have to do it with love. We don’t hate them. We love our people, we love our family, and that’s the way to do it—with love. Don’t forget that, please. Thank you. Thank you, God, and thank you to the Grammys,” he concluded.
His comments come as immigration enforcement has become a flashpoint since Donald Trump returned to office in January 2025, with expanded operations nationwide and detention numbers described as reaching record levels by early 2026—sparking intense debate among lawmakers, civil rights groups, and communities.
The controversy has been especially pronounced in Minneapolis, where a federal operation dubbed “Operation Metro Surge” has deployed thousands of officers from Customs and Border Protection and ICE. Last month saw multiple violent confrontations that drew national attention, including the fatal shootings of Renee Nicole Good, 37, on Jan. 7 and Alex Pretti, 37, on Jan. 24 by officers identified as U.S. Border Patrol. Both deaths have fueled protests, political backlash, and calls for independent investigations.
Bad Bunny has previously cited concerns about the administration’s immigration crackdown as a reason he chose not to bring his Debí Tirar Más Fotos world tour to the United States.
He has also faced criticism from Trump and conservative voices following his announcement as the headliner for the Super Bowl LX Halftime Show on Sunday, Feb. 8. In a statement released after the announcement, Bad Bunny said the performance is “for my people, my culture, and our history.”
Ahead of the game, Kristi Noem has said ICE agents would be “all over” the Super Bowl. However, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said the agency would not confirm operational details.
“We will not disclose future operations or discuss personnel. Super Bowl security will entail a whole of government response conducted in-line with the U.S. Constitution,” McLaughlin said on Jan. 29. “Those who are here legally and are not breaking other laws have nothing to fear.”
Bad Bunny earned six Grammy nominations this year and also won Best Global Music Performance for “EoO” before the live broadcast.
