Lorde Donates $204K to Minneapolis Immigration Groups After ICE Raids

Lorde is extending support to communities impacted by increased immigration enforcement, donating $204,000 from merchandise sales at her recent Minneapolis shows to two local organizations. The donation, announced on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, comes amid heightened national attention on immigration policy and follows similar displays of solidarity from other artists at the February 1st Grammy Awards.

The funds will be split between the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee (MIRAC) and the Immigrant Defense Network, both of which provide crucial support to immigrant communities in Minnesota. MIRAC, described as a grassroots, all-volunteer organization, focuses on advocating for full legalization, ending deportations, and achieving equality for immigrants. The Immigrant Defense Network, a more recently formed coalition, unites over 90 labor, legal, faith, and community groups to protect constitutional rights and build collective power against enforcement actions.

Lorde’s announcement was accompanied by a photograph shared on her Instagram Story, featuring the phrase “ICE Out” written on the back of her hand. This message echoes a growing sentiment among artists and activists critical of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The “ICE Out” message was prominently displayed on pins worn by Billie Eilish, Kehlani, Justin Bieber, and Hailey Bieber at the Grammy Awards, and was referenced in acceptance speeches, notably by Bad Bunny who declared “ICE out” while accepting his award for Best Música Urbana Album.

The donation arrives at a particularly sensitive time for Minneapolis, which has experienced increased ICE activity in recent weeks. The situation escalated in January with the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, both shot by ICE officers. While the Trump administration has maintained that both shootings were acts of self-defense, the claim has been met with skepticism, with video footage suggesting otherwise.

Lorde is not the only musician to respond to the situation in Minneapolis. Lizzo recently shared resources for supporting affected families, and Tom Morello hosted a “Concert of Resistance & Solidarity” on January 30th featuring Bruce Springsteen, who shortly before released the protest song “Streets of Minneapolis.” These actions demonstrate a broader trend of artists leveraging their platforms to advocate for social and political change.

The donation stems from Lorde’s “Ultrasound World Tour,” supporting her 2021 album Solar Power. The tour began in September 2025 and included two nights at the Minneapolis Armory in October. Lorde is currently continuing the tour with upcoming performances scheduled in Australia and New Zealand later this month.

This act of support positions Lorde within a growing movement of artists using their influence to address issues of immigration and social justice. The financial contribution, coupled with the visible “ICE Out” message, represents a tangible commitment to supporting organizations working directly with immigrant communities and challenging current immigration policies. The convergence of activism on both the concert stage and at high-profile events like the Grammys signals a shift towards greater artist engagement with political and social issues.

The Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee and the Immigrant Defense Network will utilize the $204,000 donation to further their work providing legal services, policy advocacy, and community support to immigrants and their families in Minnesota. The funds will be instrumental in addressing the immediate needs of those impacted by ICE enforcement actions and in advocating for long-term systemic changes.