Billie Eilish, Tessa Thompson and Sophia Bush are among the LGBTQIA+ public figures who are criticising the federal agency Immigration and Customs Enforcement
BY NIC CROSARA, IMAGES BY DISNEY/DREAMSTIME
ICE raids have been rapidly rising across the US. There has reportedly been a 75 per cent increase in the number of people in national network detention centres since last year. The Washington Post also revealed that ICE is making more than four times as many at-large arrests per week as it did in President Donald Trump’s first term.
In 2025, 32 people died in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody, making it ICE’s deadliest year in more than two decades. On New Year’s Eve, 43-year-old father of two, Keith Porter Jr, was shot and killed by an off-duty ICE officer. In January, two Minneapolis residents – poet and mother Renee Nicole Macklin Good and ICU nurse Alex Pretti – were fatally shot, on separate encounters, by federal immigration agents. In another incident, a five-year-old boy, Liam Ramos and his father were detained after returning home from his preschool.
In the wake of this devastation, there is a widespread national and global outcry from people wanting to see the agency eradicated. There are now a number of openly LGBTQIA+ celebrities and celebrity allies who are using their platforms to call out ICE.
Billie Eilish
The What Was I Made For singer was recently awarded the 2026 MLK Jr. Beloved Community Environmental Justice Award in Atlanta. She used her time on stage to denounce ICE saying: “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 neighbours 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… 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 homes or in our streets.”
Billie has also posted to Instagram stories, raising awareness about ICE’s actions in Minneapolis. She also shared a story with a direct plea captioned: “hey my fellow celebrities u gonna speak up? or”.
Tessa Thompson
The bisexual Hedda star has been sharing ways to offer aid to those on the ground through her Instagram stories.
Sophia Bush
Many of the queer One Tree Hill alum’s Instagram stories and grid posts consist of reposts and resources calling for action. She has also shared a script for people to use when calling their senators.
Naomi McPherson
The Muna bandmember has consistently been outspoken about causes close to their heart. They recently took to Instagram to write: “JUST SO WE ARE ABSOLUTELY CLEAR FCK EVERY SINGLE ICE AGENT…….CONGRATS YOU QUITE LITERALLY SOLD YOUR SOUL TO THE DEVIL…”
Meg Stalter
The Too Much and Hacks actor posted a tearful Instagram video on 25 January. She spoke about being a Christian and said that calling for an end to ICE is in line with Jesus’ teachings, saying: “I truly, truly believe that is exactly what Jesus would do.” She continued: “If you are someone who identifies as a Christian, but supports ICE or the president, I want you to remember that Jesus was executed for challenging the system,” Stalter said. “His life and teaching directly threaten the religious, economic and political power structures of his time and he was murdered. If you are a follower of Christ, I strongly urge you to follow what the Bible actually says.”
Meg is also one of the celebrities who have claimed that TikTok is censoring anti-ICE videos.
Hannah Einbinder
When receiving her first Emmy win, the Hacks star stated: “F**k ICE and Free Palestine”. She’s continued to use social media to post against the agency, including reposting Meg Stalter’s Instagram post saying that she would be leaving TikTok due to the platform’s alleged censoring of content criticising ICE.
Barbie Ferreira
The openly queer Euphoria and Bob Trevino Likes It star wrote in her Instagram story alongside a post from The Slow Factory: “It’s FUCK ICE every single fucking day”.
Reneé Rapp
During her Bite Me tour stop in Portland, the lesbian pop star called out the Trump administration as he deployed the National Guard in the city. She told the crowd: “And it just happens that we time out that we’re here at the same time as some people who shouldn’t fucking be here are […] Fuck ICE, fuck this administration, and fuck Trump.”
@bellas_on_tour This moment was so much louder in person! Thank you @reneé #reneerapp ♬ original sound – bellas_on_tour
Dove Cameron
The bisexual singer has used her Instagram stories to raise awareness of and call out sexual assault in detention centres.
Pedro Pascal
At the time of writing, the majority of the actor’s Instagram grid posts are focused on raising awareness about and calling out ICE. He is actively posting calls to action that people can take to have their voices heard.
Sabrina Carpenter
When the White House used her song, Juno, without authorisation, the queer icon slammed them on social media. In a since-deleted post, she wrote: “This video is evil and disgusting. Do not ever involve me or my music to benefit your inhumane agenda.”
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