Colombian singer Shakira is raising her voice about the fear immigrants face under President Donald Trump’s renewed immigration crackdown. Speaking with BBC News, she reflected on how much the country has changed since she arrived in Miami at 19 to pursue a music career.
Early Life and Learning English
“When I moved to the U.S., like many other Colombian immigrants, I was looking for a better future,” Shakira said. She shared that she learned English by studying Leonard Cohen, Walt Whitman, and Bob Dylan, using their poetry and lyrics to understand songwriting in a new language.
Career Highlights and Recent Wins
Shakira has achieved global success, with hits like “Hips Don’t Lie” topping the Billboard charts even 20 years later. She recently earned her fourth Grammy Award for Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran, which won best Latin pop album at the 2025 Grammys.
Immigrant Experience Under Trump
Despite her success, Shakira expressed deep concern for immigrant communities in the U.S. as Trump intensifies immigration enforcement.
“It means living in constant fear,” she said. “And it’s painful to see.” She urged unity and compassion: “The treatment of all people must always be humane.”
Dedication to Immigrant Communities
At the 2025 Grammys, Shakira dedicated her award “to all my immigrant brothers and sisters in this country,” telling them, “You are loved, you are worth it, and I will always fight with you.”
National Guard Deployment Controversy
As protests against ICE raids unfold in Los Angeles, Trump has deployed the National Guard to intervene. California Governor Gavin Newsom has challenged the move, demanding that the troops be returned to state control. The matter is now in the hands of the appeals court, which has temporarily blocked the federal order and will hold a hearing on Tuesday.
Keep up with the Queen of Latin music Shakira with us on Que Onda Magazine.