Shakira is talking out in regards to the “fixed concern” that immigrants face in the US immediately amid President Donald Trump‘s aggressive immigration insurance policies.
The Colombian-born singer, 48, not too long ago spoke with BBC News about how the U.S. has modified since she moved to Miami as an adolescent to increase her music profession.
“I used to be solely 19 after I moved to the US, like many different Colombian immigrants who come to this nation in search of a greater future,” she mentioned, including that she relied on poetry and written works from Leonard Cohen, Walt Whitman and Bob Dylan to study English and assist “perceive how the English language works inside songwriting.”
Shakira has risen to worldwide fame through the years, scoring a number of High 10 hits on the Billboard Scorching 100 chart, in addition to her music “Hips Don’t Lie” peaking at No. 1. She has additionally earned 4 Grammy Awards, together with finest Latin pop album for Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran on the 2025 Grammys earlier this yr.
Nonetheless, this yr has additionally been notably difficult for the Latin group amid Trump’s return to the White Home, as his administration prioritizes cracking down on alleged immigration violations. Most not too long ago, there have been ongoing protests in Los Angeles in opposition to illegal immigration ICE raids throughout the county.
“It means residing in fixed concern,” Shakira mentioned of residing within the U.S. immediately. “And it’s painful to see.”
“Now, greater than ever, we’ve got to stay united,” she added. “Now, greater than ever, we’ve got to boost our voices and make it very clear {that a} nation can change its immigration insurance policies, however the therapy of all individuals should at all times be humane.”
Earlier this yr, Shakira additionally dedicated her Grammy Award “to all my immigrant brothers and sisters on this nation,” including, “You’re liked, you’re value it, and I’ll at all times struggle with you.”
In response to the L.A. protests, Trump deployed California’s Nationwide Guard to quell the demonstrations. Nonetheless, California Gov. Gavin Newsom pushed again, formally requesting that the Trump Administration “rescind their illegal deployment of troops in Los Angeles County and return them to my command.” The case is at the moment making its approach by the courts, with the appeals court docket briefly blocking a federal choose’s order that directed Trump to return management of Nationwide Guard troops again to the state. The appeals court docket mentioned it could maintain a listening to on Tuesday.