In the wake of this past weekend’s second ICE-involved fatal shooting in Minnesota this month, a growing chorus of artists have been voicing their disapproval of the conduct and activities of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
That government agency has been conducting heavily divisive immigration raids under the Trump administration. While artists like Tom Morello, Stick To Your Guns, Knocked Loose, Terror, etc. and God’s Hate frontman Brody King were quick to condemn ICE amid the immigration raids conducted last summer, the escalation of ICE activities this month is seeing further heavy artists voice the opinion on the matter.
Over the weekend SUMAC, Old Man Gloom, etc. frontman Aaron Turner launched a ‘No ICE’ shirt to benefit families in need in the Minneapolis, MN area. That endeavor drew support from metalcore mavens Converge, who posted yesterday, January 25th:
“We are Converge and we stand with the good people of Minnesota. We stand against sanctioned violence against our neighbors and communities. Our good friend @aaronbturner made this artwork.”
Gold-certified post-hardcore band Thrice were among those to speak out today, issuing the following statement this evening:
“As should be overwhelmingly clear from our body of work, Thrice stands for love, empathy, and compassion for all people against all forms of oppression. This is simply a social and humanitarian stance, not a political one.
It should also be clear from our body of work that we advocate for being curious and open minded. It is a truly difficult thing to change one’s mind, but it is times like these that can push our cognitive dissonance to it’s breaking point and create the opportunity to really look at what we believe, and to assess the fruits of those beliefs.
We applaud and stand in solidarity the patriots in the streets of Minneapolis who are exercising their first amendment rights in support of their neighbors and in defiance of an increasingly authoritarian regime, and we mourn those who have lost their lives at the hands of state violence.
ICE out!”
Reunited experimental post-hardcore band letlive. also took to social media tonight to voice their opinion on the matter. That outfit is fronted by Jason Aalon Butler, who has frequently engaged in social and political issues with his other venture, Fever 333. letlive.‘s statement reads:
“This project has always stood as an artistic witness to the world around us. It will always be utilized as mouthpiece for the truth we see it and an effort to encourage others to do the same. To speak candidly and confidently. Given this premise, we must state plainly and without compromise; letlive. condemn the murders committed by ICE agents in Minneapolis and the system that enables it.
A rejection of the agency itself—its methods, its presence and the devastating harm it continues to inflict on communities across this country. A nation with a glaringly multicultural tapestry must decide, plainly, where it stands.
We encourage our friends here to choose an act of resistance.
Whether through direct political engagement or via daily decisions to support or boycott. Resistance is not symbolic; it is active, deliberate, and necessary. Although the weight of such realities is all but crippling, we must call upon each other to help carry and eventually conquer this burden.
Ironically, amidst such tumult we are reminded that we must care for and protect ourselves and each other. To our friends and perceived enemies, we are being shown the distance between the people is much shorter than that between the powers. In a seemingly cold world, showing any warmth can be seen radical. Choose an act of resistance. Take notice. Take care. Stand Up.”
An irreconcilable divide in opinions regarding ICE also just fractured the lineup for Minnesota-based progressive metalcore band Reflections. Two members of that outfit have newly exited the group in protest of one member’s alleged support of ICE.
Motionless In White vocalist Chris Motionless has also voiced his opinion of sorts, taking aim at a conservative social influencer in the below exchange:
Always some fucking loser with “Christian” in their bio out here denouncing “love thy neighbor” when the neighbor isn’t the neighbor that fits their agenda or personal narrative.
— Chris Motionless (@ChrisMotionless) January 26, 2026