Shakira is speaking out about what it’s like to live as an immigrant in the U.S. under Donald Trump’s immigration policies.
In a recent BBC interview, the 48-year-old Colombian singer reflected on how much the country has changed since she first moved to Miami in the mid-90s to chase her music dreams.
“I was only 19 when I moved to the U.S., like many other Colombian immigrants who come to this country looking for a better future,” Shakira said, adding that she learned English by reading Leonard Cohen, Walt Whitman, and Bob Dylan to better understand songwriting.
A longtime advocate for social justice, the “Hips Don’t Lie” star also addressed the challenges Latinos face now that Trump is back in office. Since his return earlier this year, the administration has ramped up immigration crackdowns, sparking widespread protests, especially in Los Angeles.
“It means living in constant fear,” Shakira said when asked how it feels to be an immigrant in the U.S. today. “And it’s painful to see.”
She added, “Now, more than ever, we have to remain united. Now, more than ever, we have to raise our voices and make it very clear that a country can change its immigration policies, but the treatment of all people must always be humane.”
At the 2024 Grammy Awards in February, Shakira dedicated her win for Best Latin Pop Album to immigrants. “You’re loved, worth it and I will always fight with you,” she said.
Shakira joins a growing list of artists speaking out against federal immigration raids in Southern California. After Trump deployed the National Guard to Los Angeles in early June, celebrities like Olivia Rodrigo, Tyler, The Creator, Finneas, The Game, Kehlani, Billie Joe Armstrong, Tom Morello, Reneé Rapp, and Rebecca Black criticized the move.
“I’ve lived in LA my whole life and I’m deeply upset about these violent deportations of my neighbors under the current administration,” Rodrigo shared on her Instagram Story. “LA simply wouldn’t exist without immigrants. Treating hardworking community members with such little respect, empathy, and due process is awful. I stand with the beautiful, diverse community of Los Angeles and with immigrants all across America. I stand for our right to freedom of speech and freedom to protest.”
She also posted a photo from a protest showing a sign with a crossed-out crown and the words “in our USA”—likely referencing the “No Kings Day” demonstrations on June 14, held in response to Trump’s 79th birthday military parade in Washington, D.C.
