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Brandi Carlile Pledges $25,000 to Support ICE Detainees in Minnesota Amid Community Crisis
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On January 25, 2026, lesbian singer-songwriter and activist Brandi Carlile announced a significant financial commitment to support people held in immigration detention in Minnesota, pledging $25,000 from her charitable organization, the Looking Out Foundation, to The Advocates for Human Rights.
The announcement came amid heightened community mobilization in response to recent ICE enforcement actions in Minneapolis. Carlile stated she was "heartbroken and angry for Minnesota" and highlighted that members of the Minnesota "Bramily"—her fan community—had organized a vigil in Mexico for Renée Good and in memory of the 32 people who have died in ICE custody since the beginning of 2025.
The $25,000 grant will be used specifically to help provide free legal assistance to people currently in detention, addressing a critical gap in resources for vulnerable populations facing immigration proceedings. Beyond the financial contribution, Carlile's Looking Out Foundation committed to sharing resources and guidance aimed at helping communities organize, support one another, and resist injustice collectively.
Carlile's pledge reflects her longstanding commitment to human rights advocacy. She has consistently used her public platform to advocate for social justice causes, frequently combining fundraising with calls for civic engagement. In her statement, she encouraged supporters to use the 5 Calls app to contact their elected representatives and press for accountability and reform.
"What affects one of us, affects all of us and we need to continue to look out for each other," Carlile stated, ending her message with a declaration of resolve: "We'll find a way."
Carlile's announcement is part of a broader musician and celebrity response to the crisis unfolding in Minnesota. On January 28, 2026, Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello announced a special benefit concert titled "A Concert of Solidarity & Resistance to Defend Minnesota!" with 100% of proceeds supporting families impacted by ICE enforcement. Singer Jenny Lewis posted an Instagram statement condemning ICE's actions, calling the deaths of Renée Good and Alex Pretti "acts of hatred" and pledging solidarity with Minnesota communities.
On January 26, 2026, Jeff Tweedy, along with his sons Spencer and Sam, performed a "song for healing" dedicated to Minneapolis, with a statement calling to "abolish and prosecute ICE." Duluth's Trampled By Turtles announced an intimate benefit performance on January 31, 2026, at Turf Club in St. Paul, with proceeds benefiting the Immigrant Rapid Response Fund via the Women's Foundation of Minnesota.
Billie Eilish called on fellow celebrities to speak up about the shootings, sharing a post on Instagram with the caption, "hey my fellow celebrities u gonna speak up?" Bruce Springsteen, during a surprise appearance at a music festival in New Jersey on January 17, 2026, voiced support for efforts to end ICE operations in Minnesota and dedicated a performance of "The Promised Land" to Renée Good's memory.
The Advocates for Human Rights, the Minnesota-based organization receiving Carlile's grant, has been at the forefront of providing legal support and advocacy for detained immigrants, making the partnership a direct response to documented community needs.
