U2 Sparks Backlash With Anti ICE Tribute Song

U2 is back in the headlines and not just for music.

The Dublin-based rock band released a new protest song titled “American Obituary,” dedicated to Renee Good, an anti-ICE activist who was killed during an altercation with federal immigration officers in Minneapolis last month. The track, part of the band’s six-song EP “U2 Days of Ash,” has already ignited fierce backlash across social media.

The lyrics leave little ambiguity about the band’s stance.

“Renee Good born to die free / American mother of three,” Bono sings, before referencing the shooting in stark, emotional terms. Another line pointedly questions the label of “domestic terrorist,” reflecting the band’s skepticism toward the official narrative.

In a statement published through U2’s long-running digital fanzine “Propaganda,” frontman Bono described the track as “a song of fury… but more than that a song of grief.”

He framed the tribute not only as mourning for Good but as a broader lament over what he called “the death of an America” that would, in his view, demand deeper inquiry into such incidents.

Bono also defended his involvement in American political debates.

“U2’s been banging on about America most of our artistic life,” he said. “This is a country we love and has loved us back.”

The band has a long history of weaving politics into its music, dating back to 1983’s “Sunday Bloody Sunday,” a song about violence in Northern Ireland. Over four decades, U2 has sold more than 150 million records worldwide and won 22 Grammy Awards, making it one of the most commercially successful rock bands in history.

The reaction was swift.

Critics questioned why the band chose to spotlight an anti-ICE activist while remaining silent on crimes committed by illegal immigrants. Others pointed out that Ireland’s own immigration policies are significantly stricter in certain respects than those of the United States.

Some social media users dismissed the effort outright, arguing that foreign entertainers should refrain from lecturing Americans on domestic law enforcement and immigration policy.

The controversy reflects a broader cultural clash over immigration enforcement. ICE, established in 2003 under the Department of Homeland Security, plays a central role in deportation operations, human trafficking investigations, and immigration compliance enforcement. In fiscal year 2023, ICE conducted over 142,000 administrative arrests, with a significant share involving individuals with prior criminal convictions.

Supporters argue that ICE is essential for public safety and border enforcement. Critics claim its tactics instill fear in immigrant communities and demand sweeping reform or abolition.

U2’s release follows another recent protest anthem from Bruce Springsteen, who penned “Streets of Minneapolis” earlier this year. That song also drew sharp online criticism, highlighting how immigration enforcement has become fertile ground for cultural flashpoints.

Music has long served as a vehicle for political expression. But in today’s polarized climate, even a tribute song can become a lightning rod.

Whether “American Obituary” resonates beyond its initial controversy remains to be seen. For now, the track has reignited debates over ICE, immigration enforcement, and the role of celebrity activism in shaping political narratives.

If you want more coverage on culture and the immigration debate, share this article or subscribe to our newsletter for updates.