Bad Bunny said he deliberately chose not to bring his sold‑out world tour to the United States because of concerns that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents could target his concerts and the communities that attend them.
In a new interview with i‑D magazine, the Puerto Rican rapper and three‑time Grammy winner said the decision was motivated by safety concerns rather than animosity toward U.S. fans. "There were many reasons why I didn't show up in the U.S., and none of them were out of hate. I've performed there many times," he told the magazine, adding that the possibility of immigration authorities being outside his shows weighed heavily on him and his team. "There was the issue of—like, f**king ICE could be outside [my concert]. And it's something that we were talking about and very concerned about," he said.
Bad Bunny said his decision did not mean U.S. fans were shut out: he noted that people from the United States, including Latinos and Puerto Ricans, could travel abroad to see his Debí Tirar Más Fotos World Tour. The tour spans 57 shows across 23 cities worldwide, with stops in countries including the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Colombia, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Australia, Japan and numerous European nations.
The artist has publicly criticized ICE in recent months. In June he posted what he described as a profanity‑laced Instagram story showing an apparent ICE operation in Avenida Pontezuela, Puerto Rico, and decried the presence of agents on the island. The comments come amid a months‑long enforcement push in Puerto Rico; reporting by NPR cited more than 500 arrests since January, with roughly three‑quarters involving Dominicans. NPR reported that fewer than 80 of those detained had criminal records, and that the most common charge was illegal reentry after deportation. According to the Associated Press, more than 55,000 Dominicans live in Puerto Rico and ICE has increased enforcement there since the start of President Donald Trump's second term.
Bad Bunny's stance follows a wave of public criticism of ICE from fellow entertainers. Pop singer Becky G used social media to call the raids an attack on democracy and human rights. Mexican singer Junior H and his Sad Boyz Clothing brand pledged proceeds to cover legal fees for families affected by raids. Other entertainers including Maná, Eva Longoria, Kim Kardashian, Jenna Ortega, Addison Rae and Finneas have publicly condemned the operations; Longoria described the raids as "inhumane," and Kardashian said witnessing families torn apart required speaking out.
Representatives for Bad Bunny did not immediately respond to requests for further comment. The artist has previously performed in the United States and said his prior U.S. shows were successful, but he and his team weighed the potential risks to attendees when planning the current tour. His comments underscore how concerns about immigration enforcement can shape the decisions of performers who draw largely Latino and immigrant audiences.