Bruce Springsteen has lent his iconic anthem “Born in the U.S.A.” to a newly released video highlighting the experiences of American citizens impacted by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement). The video, directed by Robert Greenwald of Brave New Films, features footage of ICE interactions with citizens, interviews, and archival performance clips of Springsteen, alongside voiceovers from recent concerts where the artist has publicly criticized immigration policies.
The project arrives as Springsteen continues to engage directly with issues of immigration and social justice. The video incorporates excerpts from Springsteen’s calls for ICE to leave Minneapolis following the fatal shooting of Renee Good on January 7, and from his broader critiques of the Trump administration’s immigration policies delivered during his 2025 European tour. In the video, Springsteen states, “They’re removing residents off America’s streets and without due process and are deporting them to foreign detention centers and prisons.”
The video specifically focuses on the cases of George Retes, a 26-year-old Army veteran and U.S. Citizen detained for three days, and Renee Good, a U.S. Citizen and mother of three who was fatally shot in Minneapolis by ICE agent Jonathan Ross. The inclusion of these cases underscores the video’s central argument: that ICE actions are impacting American citizens, not just undocumented immigrants.
Springsteen’s decision to authorize the use of “Born in the U.S.A.” is a significant gesture, given the song’s complex history and often misunderstood lyrical content. Originally interpreted by some as a patriotic anthem, the song’s lyrics actually depict the struggles of Vietnam veterans returning home to a nation that didn’t fully support them. Using it now to underscore the plight of citizens facing aggressive ICE enforcement adds another layer of meaning to the song’s narrative.
Greenwald, speaking on social media, encouraged viewers to “Take a look and listen to ‘Born in the U.S.A.’ with visuals of U.S. Citizens being attacked,” framing the video as a call to action. The film aims to raise awareness and encourage engagement with elected officials.
This isn’t Springsteen’s first foray into directly addressing the issue of ICE overreach. He recently debuted his protest song “Streets of Minneapolis” during a surprise appearance at a benefit concert in Minneapolis hosted by Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine. That concert was organized as a show of “solidarity and resistance” following the deaths of Good and Alex Pretti, another U.S. Citizen killed by ICE agents.
Pretti was shot ten times in five seconds by an ICE officer on January 24, adding another layer of tragedy to the situation and fueling further protests. Both Good and Pretti were U.S. Citizens, a fact that has become a central point of contention in the ongoing debate surrounding ICE’s practices.
The Trump administration has responded to Springsteen’s activism, specifically criticizing his song “Streets of Minneapolis.” A White House spokesperson dismissed the song as containing “irrelevant opinions and inaccurate information,” and reiterated the administration’s focus on removing “dangerous criminal illegal aliens.”
Springsteen’s stance has garnered support from a wide range of artists and celebrities, including Billie Eilish, Sabrina Carpenter, Green Day, Neil Young, Moby, Zara Larsson, Joe Keery of Stranger Things, and Spider-Man actor Yuri Lowenthal, as well as Duran Duran and Dave Matthews. Their vocal support highlights the growing concern within the entertainment industry regarding ICE’s actions and the broader issue of immigration policy.
The release of this video marks a further escalation of Springsteen’s public opposition to ICE and a powerful use of his platform to amplify the voices of those directly affected by the agency’s enforcement practices. It also underscores the ongoing cultural conversation surrounding immigration, citizenship, and the role of law enforcement in a divided America.
