Latin music star Bad Bunny said he did not include U.S. concert dates on his current world tour because he feared Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents could detain Latino fans at venues.
Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, known professionally as Bad Bunny, told i-D magazine that concern over immigration enforcement was a major factor in leaving the United States off the itinerary for the Debi Tirar Mas Fotos World Tour. "But there was the issue of — like, f---ing ICE could be outside [my concert]. And it’s something that we were talking about and very concerned about," he said.
The remaining shows on the tour are scheduled in Europe, Australia and South America, with multiple concerts planned in Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory, in September. He encouraged fans in the continental United States to travel to Puerto Rico or other countries to attend shows. "People from the U.S. could come here to see the show," he said. "Latinos and Puerto Ricans of the United States could also travel here, or to any part of the world."
Bad Bunny’s comments came after a Supreme Court decision that lifted limits on ICE operations in Los Angeles, a change that officials and commentators said would affect enforcement activity. Acting U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California Bill Essayli discussed the decision on Fox News' "America Reports," which covered the impact of the court’s action on local immigration enforcement.
The artist has publicly criticized ICE before. In June, while in Puerto Rico, he posted video to social media that he said showed local ICE raids and denounced agents on camera as "sons of b------." He also used his platform last year to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris for president after a comedian made derogatory remarks about Puerto Rico; a representative confirmed to The Associated Press that he was supporting Harris.
White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson responded to Bad Bunny’s remarks by asking, "Does Bad Bunny perform exclusively for criminal illegal aliens?" The comment was provided to Fox News Digital in response to the singer’s interview.
Bad Bunny said his absence from U.S. venues was not motivated by dislike for American audiences. "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. All of [the shows] have been successful. All of them have been magnificent," he told i-D, adding that he had enjoyed connecting with Latinos living in the United States.
Representatives for Bad Bunny did not immediately respond to requests for additional comment through outlets that covered the interview. Coverage of his touring decisions has intersected with broader national debates over immigration policy and enforcement, particularly following court rulings that affect how federal agencies operate in local jurisdictions.
The singer’s choice to omit most U.S. dates illustrates tensions between high-profile cultural figures and immigration enforcement policies that have been central in national political discussions leading up to the 2024 presidential election cycle. Federal and local officials have continued to debate the scope and conduct of ICE operations in states and cities that have differing approaches to immigration enforcement.