Bad Bunny delivered one of the most talked-about moments of the 2026 Grammy Awards after using his acceptance speech to issue a passionate call against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The Puerto Rican superstar made the remarks on Sunday night at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles while accepting the award for Best Música Urbana Album for his sixth studio project, Debí Tirar Más Fotos.
Before thanking God or the Recording Academy, Bad Bunny — born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio — opened his speech with a blunt political message.
“Before I say thanks to God, I’m gonna say ICE out,” he declared, drawing a standing ovation from the audience. “We’re not savage, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens — we are humans, and we are Americans.”
The 31-year-old artist went on to speak about rising hatred and polarization, urging people to respond with compassion rather than anger.
“I know it’s tough not to hate these days,” he said. “Sometimes we get contaminado. But the only thing that is more powerful than hate is love.”
He encouraged fans to stand firm in love while fighting for justice, adding, “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.”
Bad Bunny’s comments come amid heightened immigration enforcement across the United States following President Donald Trump’s renewed crackdown on illegal immigration. In recent weeks, tension has been especially high in Minneapolis, Minnesota, after the fatal shootings of Alex Pretti by U.S. Border Patrol officers and Renée Good by an ICE agent.
The rapper has previously cited fears that ICE could target fans at his concerts as one of the reasons he chose not to tour North America in 2025.
Beyond his political message, the night marked a major career milestone for Bad Bunny. In addition to Best Música Urbana Album, he also won Best Global Music Performance for Eoo and the coveted Album of the Year for Debí Tirar Más Fotos.
While accepting Album of the Year, he once again paid tribute to immigrants.
“I want to dedicate this award to all the people who had to leave their homeland, their country, to follow their dreams,” he said.
Bad Bunny’s historic run continues as he prepares to headline the Super Bowl Halftime Show on February 8, becoming the first solo Latino artist to lead the iconic performance.
