Country music artist Bryan Andrews has gained widespread attention for a viral TikTok video in which he condemned the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for their deportation tactics. The video, which has garnered over one million views, sparked intense public debate and drew comparisons to similar criticisms from other artists. In the clip, Andrews accused DHS and ICE of separating immigrant families and deporting undocumented individuals without warrants or due process, comparing the raids to a ‘trailer to the newest Call of Duty game.’ He also criticized Christians who support these policies, calling them hypocrites for cheering on the arrests and deportations while claiming to be religious.
Andrews’ video appears to reference recent DHS videos that showed agents arresting individuals and clashing with protesters, set to motivational background music. He argued that a recent Supreme Court ruling allowed ICE to racially profile immigrants, claiming it violates Christian principles. His comments have drawn both support and criticism, with some calling for him to be censored and others praising his stance. He is not the only artist to have taken a stance on ICE; Zach Bryan, another country singer, also faced backlash for his own anti-ICE lyrics. The controversy has sparked wider discussions about the role of artists in political activism and the impact of social media on public discourse.
DHS did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but a recent statement claimed the court found no violations of the law or the U.S. Constitution in the way ICE detained illegal immigrants. ‘The Supreme Court simply applied longstanding precedent regarding what qualifies as ‘reasonable suspicion’ under the Fourth Amendment,’ the statement read. ‘What makes someone a target of ICE is if they are illegally in the U.S. DHS enforces federal immigration law without fear, favor, or prejudice,’ the statement added. The singer on Thursday offered a follow-up comment on Instagram, reiterating his support for the video and expressing his commitment to his position.