Shakira is speaking out about her experience as an immigrant in the U.S., sharing that she now lives in “constant fear” due to the country’s changing political climate.
In a candid interview with BBC News, the Colombian pop icon reflected on how her perspective has shifted since she first moved to America as a teenager. Back then, she felt welcomed and embraced—but says things have taken a darker turn.
“I was only 19 when I moved to the U.S., like many other Colombian immigrants who come to this country looking for a better future,” she shared.
Shakira pointed to the increasingly hostile environment, especially under former President Donald Trump’s tough immigration stance. When asked what being an immigrant in today’s America feels like, she didn’t hold back: “It means living in constant fear. And it’s painful to see.”
Shakira also stressed the need for unity and standing up for what’s right during difficult times. She urged Americans to “remain united” and speak out, saying, “A country can change its immigration policies, but the treatment of all people must always be humane.”
Her comments come as immigration tensions continue to rise, with recent ICE raids targeting workplaces in Los Angeles. The protests that followed led President Donald Trump to authorize a 60-day deployment of the National Guard to support federal agents on the ground.
