Karol G is threatened with having her visa revoked if she speaks out against ICE – but the Coachella headliner still doesn’t want to let her Latino community down.
Karol G is the first Latin American artist to play a headlining show at Coachella. The Colombian is making history.
In an interview with Playboy, she spoke about wanting to use her platform to draw attention to issues in America – particularly the actions and incidents surrounding ICE, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency.
Warnings from your own environment
Karol G was apparently warned by many not to raise her voice. Otherwise, the Colombian could face consequences. People advised her not to speak out against ICE. “People will say, ‘You better not do that… Because if you say that, you might get a call the next day saying, ‘Hey, we’re revoking your visa.'”
The singer was annoyed by this: “You become a pawn because some people want to demonstrate their power.”
In particular, clear statements such as “ICE Out” are dangerous. She also warns her team about it. Nevertheless, she doesn’t want to be forbidden from saying something, according to her attitude in the “Playboy” interview.
“I’m willing to say it… If I’m honest, this goes beyond what I need to do to protect myself. But ultimately, what’s my job when I’m in this position?” she continued in the interview.
More than a slogan
However, she doesn’t want to reduce herself to a mere gesture. “I don’t want to just say ‘ICE Out’ and then do nothing with it…I’ll probably take it a step further. I just want to represent my community.”
Karol G wants to consciously decide what she will say on stage. “I want to sit down and understand in my head: This is what that meant,” the musician told Playboy.
Responsibility and role model function
Karol G is aware of her reach and the size of Coachella. At the same time, she emphasizes that she wants to be careful and wait for the right moment to speak out. The singer unites the Latin American community behind her and is therefore in a role model position. Since ICE often carries out raids in Latino neighborhoods, many see it as even more important that Karol G speaks out against the agency.
Prominent voices against ICE
She is not the first to take a stand against ICE. Bruce Springsteen released a protest song against the US authorities earlier this year. Puerto Rican singer Bad Bunny also spoke out at the 2026 Grammys with the words “Before I say thanks to God, I’m going to say: ICE out.” Other stars such as Billie Eilish, Becky G and Cardi B also took a stand.
It remains to be seen whether Karol G will dare to say something on the Coachella weekends starting April 10th. The musician will take over the Sunday closing show on both festival weekends.
