Hollywood vs ICE: Celebrity Protests Spark Debate Over American Values and Europe's Response
Stars like Ariana Grande and Pedro Pascal are speaking out against immigration enforcement as protests spread. European commentators question whether the transatlantic alliance can survive the growing values gap.
Hollywood stars including Ariana Grande, Pedro Pascal, Cynthia Nixon and Natalie Portman are speaking out against US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, as protests spread across American cities and European observers question the trajectory of transatlantic relations.
The celebrity activism has drawn both support and criticism on social media, with some commentators accusing stars of selective outrage while others defend their focus on domestic issues.
"Ariana Grande is posting about ICE. Pedro Pascal is posting about ICE. Cynthia Nixon is posting about ICE," wrote commentator Oli London, questioning why celebrities were not similarly vocal about events in Iran. The post generated significant engagement, with replies divided between those agreeing with the criticism and others arguing that American citizens have a responsibility to address issues in their own country.
Golden Globes Protest
The most visible display of celebrity opposition came at the Golden Globes ceremony on 11 January, where actors including Mark Ruffalo, Wanda Sykes and Natasha Lyonne wore pins reading "BE GOOD" and "ICE OUT" on the red carpet.
Jean Smart and Ariana Grande wore the pins inside the ballroom, with Smart displaying hers while accepting an award. The campaign was organised to honour Renee Good, the woman killed by an ICE agent in Minneapolis, according to NPR.
Pedro Pascal uploaded a video to Instagram showing support for immigrants, captioning it: "Los Angeles. Built by the best of U.S. #Protect our #Protectors #RESIST."
The protests followed an earlier incident in which a nurse was killed during an ICE operation, prompting Bruce Springsteen to donate $500,000 to the victim's family.
"This Is America"
Images from ICE operations have spread widely on social media, with some users drawing stark comparisons to authoritarian regimes. "This is not Iran. This is not Russia. This is not North Korea. This is America," wrote one viral post, showing footage from an arrest that garnered tens of thousands of shares.
The comment sections reflected deep polarisation. Some users compared the scenes to ISIS, while others defended law enforcement actions.
According to Al Jazeera, as many as 50,000 people took to the streets of Minneapolis on 23 January despite temperatures as low as minus 29 Celsius. More than 700 businesses across Minnesota closed in solidarity, from bookstores to the landmark Guthrie Theater.
Federal agents reportedly used tear gas and pepper spray against protesters. Governor Walz placed the National Guard on standby.
European Perspective
The unrest has prompted soul-searching among European commentators about the state of the transatlantic relationship. "Hard as it is to accept it, we in Europe must come to terms with the fact that this is precisely the kind of country a significant percentage of the US population wants to have," wrote one European account. "Europe cannot be the ally or the partner of this."
The post generated strong reactions, with some European users calling for similar enforcement measures in Europe, while others warned against politicians who had spoken positively about the Trump administration's approach.
The European Council on Foreign Relations has warned that Trump's immigration enforcement reflects "authoritarianism" that threatens shared democratic values. The think tank urges European governments to resist mimicking the American model and instead strengthen human rights frameworks.
Divisions in the Response
The celebrity activism has exposed sharp divisions. Critics point to what they see as selective outrage, noting that some of the same stars have been silent on human rights crises elsewhere. Supporters argue that Americans have a particular responsibility to speak out about their own government's actions.
In Los Angeles, protests at La Placita Olvera drew hundreds of participants, including many high school students, according to LAist. Police detained at least one demonstrator for alleged battery on an officer.
An Indian restaurant in Minneapolis drew attention for distributing samosas to protesters, a gesture that prompted mixed reactions online about the wisdom of visible participation in the demonstrations.
What This Means for Europe
The contrast between American enforcement practices and European human rights standards has become impossible to ignore. While Europe faces its own challenges with migration, the European Court of Human Rights has consistently ruled that family separation and disproportionate force can constitute fundamental rights violations.
As European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arrives in India for a landmark trade partnership, her message of "dialogue and openness" stands in contrast to the scenes playing out in American cities.
The question facing European leaders is whether the values gap with Washington has grown too wide to bridge. For now, the protests continue, the celebrities keep posting, and the images keep spreading.
January 26, 2026