Fresh off her successful Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran concert at Hard Rock Stadium, global superstar Shakira took a heartfelt moment backstage to reflect on motherhood, her immigrant journey, and the political climate facing millions in America today. With her 12-year-old son and 10-year-old daughter joining her for a moving duet in her encore song “Acróstico,” the Colombian artist described them as her “engine and the reason why I’m alive.” The performance was more than a celebration—it was a declaration. Shakira, who moved to Miami at 19 to pursue her dreams, has long been a voice for immigrants. Dedicating her latest Grammy to the immigrant community, she affirmed, “You are loved, you are worth it, and I will always fight with you.” She also urged humane treatment for all, regardless of shifting immigration policies, warning of the “constant fear” many now face in the U.S.
Protests erupt over Trump’s immigration crackdown
Shakira’s plea comes as the United States grapples with mounting tensions over immigration enforcement. Just north of Miami, Los Angeles has become the epicenter of sweeping protests following a series of aggressive ICE raids. In response to US President Trump’s directive targeting up to 3,000 arrests per day, even in hospitals and homeless shelters, thousands have taken to the streets in outrage. The reinstatement of a 12-country travel ban in early June and expanded deportations of long-term undocumented workers have drawn sharp criticism from human rights groups and labor advocates, especially as these actions exacerbate labor shortages. Civil unrest has escalated, with over 4,100 National Guard troops and 700 Marines deployed, curfews enforced, and hundreds detained. The removal of a U.S. senator from a press conference added fuel to the fire, symbolizing what critics call an assault on democracy and due process.