Following the fatal shooting of ICU nurse Alex Pretti in Minneapolis on January 24, 2026, Natalie Portman and several other celebrities publicly condemned the actions of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This surge in vocal opposition, marked by protests and social media activism, highlights growing outrage over federal immigration enforcement tactics. The Natalie Portman ICE protest alongside voices like Olivia Rodrigo and Pedro Pascal underscores mounting frustration with ICE’s role in these tragic events.
Celebrity Outrage Over ICE’s Actions After Minneapolis Incident
Olivia Rodrigo, known widely as the driver’s license singer and a three-time Grammy winner, openly denounced ICE following the Minneapolis shooting. On her Instagram stories, she demonstrated solidarity with local residents, declaring:
“ICE’s actions are unconscionable but we are not powerless. Our actions matter. I stand with Minnesota.” – Olivia Rodrigo, singer
Rodrigo also promoted activist Ben Sheehan’s efforts, sharing how to contact senators about opposing ICE’s proposed $10 billion budget increase. Her criticism of the agency is consistent with past condemnations, notably in November 2025, when she called out the Trump administration for using her song, All-American B*tch, in what she described as racist, hateful propaganda during a self-deportation campaign.
The deaths in Minneapolis have fueled widespread protests and amplified scrutiny of federal immigration enforcement approaches. Alongside Rodrigo, other notable figures such as Natalie Portman, Olivia Wilde, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Pedro Pascal have spoken strongly against ICE’s recent conduct in light of these killings.
Red Carpet Demonstrations and Public Statements at Sundance
At the Sundance Film Festival, where numerous stars gathered to debut films, the anger toward ICE’s actions was plainly visible. Actress Olivia Wilde attended the festival promoting her comedy, The Invite, which she directed and starred in alongside Seth Rogen and Edward Norton. Wilde wore an ICE OUT pin on the red carpet, using the moment to visibly protest.
“We’re all here getting to celebrate something really beautiful and hopeful in film storytelling. But the world is hurting right now, and this country is hurting. And it’s appalling.” – Olivia Wilde, actress and director
Wilde described herself as appalled and sickened by the fatal shootings carried out by federal agents in Minneapolis, emphasizing that such violence must not become normalized. She stated:
“We can’t go another day just sort of accepting this as our new norm. It’s outrageous. People are being murdered. And, I don’t want to normalize seeing people being murdered on the internet. On film. It’s. It’s hideous. And so if we can do anything out here to support the movement to cast ICE out, to delegitimize this unbelievably criminal organization, then that’s what we should be doing.” – Olivia Wilde
Similarly, Natalie Portman, promoting her film The Gallerist at Sundance, made a strong statement against ICE’s brutality. Portman, known for her role in No Strings Attached, wore pins reading ICE Out and Be Good as physical symbols of protest. She reflected on the tension between celebration and tragedy at the event:
“This is such a joyful community celebrating film here and we’re so excited to be showing ‘The Gallerist’ here, but we’re also at a moment in our country’s history that is quite devastating.” – Natalie Portman, actress
Portman labeled ICE’s actions as brutal and insisted they must end immediately, adding:
“But also there’s a beautiful community that Americans are showing right now. They’re showing up for each other, protecting each other and fighting for their freedom. It’s a bittersweet moment to celebrate something we’re so proud of on the backdrop of our nation in pain.” – Natalie Portman
Additional Celebrity Voices and Social Media Protests
Other public figures joined in raising their voices against ICE. Jamie Lee Curtis posted tributes and artwork related to the deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good on Instagram, condemning the government’s role in these killings:
“These were Americans! Shot by our government!” – Jamie Lee Curtis, actress
Pedro Pascal amplified criticism through Instagram stories, reposting content from New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who described ICE as an agency terrorizing cities and called for its abolition. Pascal’s actions contributed to the growing online resistance and widespread dissatisfaction with ICE’s enforcement measures.
Wider Implications and Community Response
The surge of celebrity protests like the Natalie Portman ICE protest, coupled with grassroots activism and social media campaigns, reflects intensifying public demands for change in immigration enforcement. The Minneapolis shootings have acted as a catalyst exposing brutal federal tactics that many see as unacceptable in a democratic society. The unity among artists, activists, and residents points to an urgent call for accountability and reform.
As ICE faces mounting backlash, the national conversation around its budget and operational conduct is expected to intensify. Celebrities’ willingness to use high-profile platforms to condemn these incidents adds momentum to efforts aiming to delegitimize the agency and halt the continuation of violent enforcement practices.
With the protests gaining visibility across communities and cultural events, the future could see increased pressure on lawmakers to reevaluate ICE’s role and policies, potentially reshaping U.S. immigration enforcement in the near term.
Natalie Portman wears an "ICE out" pin at Sundance and slams ICE brutality:
"This is such a joyful community celebrating film here and we're so excited to be showing 'The Gallerist' here, but we're also at a moment in our country's history that is quite devastating," Portman… pic.twitter.com/78c0s504rV
— Variety (@Variety) January 24, 2026
