Following the fatal shooting of ICU nurse Alex Pretti in Minneapolis on January 24, 2026, several celebrities, including Natalie Portman, have publicly criticized U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The Natalie Portman ICE protest highlights growing outrage over federal immigration enforcement tactics amid this tragic event.
Public Outcry Grows Among Celebrities Over Minneapolis Incident
Olivia Rodrigo was among the first notable figures to condemn ICE after the killing in Minneapolis. She expressed solidarity with the affected Minnesota residents on Instagram, stating in her post:
“ICE’s actions are unconscionable but we are not powerless. Our actions matter. I stand with Minnesota.” – Olivia Rodrigo, singer-songwriter
Rodrigo also shared activist Ben Sheehan’s resources urging followers to contact senators to oppose ICE’s proposed $10 billion budget expansion. This stance is consistent with her previous criticisms, including her public protest against the Trump administration’s use of her song “All-American B*tch” in 2025 for a deportation campaign, which she condemned as racist, hateful propaganda.
Celebrity Voices Amplify Criticism at Sundance Film Festival
Olivia Wilde voiced her opposition to ICE during the Sundance Film Festival, where she was promoting her comedy film The Invite. Wearing a prominent ICE OUT pin on the red carpet, Wilde shared her distress about Alex Pretti’s shooting, telling Variety:
“We’re all here getting to celebrate something really beautiful and hopeful in film storytelling. But the world is hurting right now, and this country is hurting. And it’s appalling.” – Olivia Wilde, actress and filmmaker
Wilde described the situation as both appalling and sickening, emphasizing that people should not accept violence by federal agents as a new normal. She added:
“We can’t go another day just sort of accepting this as our new norm. It’s outrageous. People are being murdered. And, I don’t want to normalize seeing people being murdered on the internet. On film. It’s. It’s hideous. And so if we can do anything out here to support the movement to cast ICE out, to delegitimize this unbelievably criminal organization, then that’s what we should be doing.” – Olivia Wilde, actress and filmmaker
Natalie Portman Joins Protest During Sundance Appearance
Also attending Sundance to promote her film The Gallerist, Natalie Portman took a clear stand by wearing ICE Out and Be Good pins as symbols of protest. She acknowledged the conflicting emotions amid the festival, stating to Variety:
“This is such a joyful community celebrating film here and we’re so excited to be showing ‘The Gallerist’ here, but we’re also at a moment in our country’s history that is quite devastating.” – Natalie Portman, actress
Portman condemned ICE’s actions as brutal and demanded immediate cessation, while recognizing the strength of American communities rallying in support of each other. She reflected:
“But also there’s a beautiful community that Americans are showing right now. They’re showing up for each other, protecting each other and fighting for their freedom. It’s a bittersweet moment to celebrate something we’re so proud of on the backdrop of our nation in pain.” – Natalie Portman, actress
Further Celebrity Reactions Highlight Widespread Anguish
Other noted figures, including Jamie Lee Curtis and Pedro Pascal, have publicly denounced ICE’s recent deadly actions. Curtis posted artwork and tributes regarding the shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good, emphasizing the victims’ citizenship:
“These were Americans! Shot by our government!” – Jamie Lee Curtis, actress
Pedro Pascal utilized his Instagram stories to increase awareness and critique ICE and the official story behind Pretti’s death. Among the content he shared was a repost from New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who described ICE as an agency that “terrorizes our cities” and called for its abolition.
National Impact and the Call for Change
The stars’ visible protests at high-profile events like the Sundance Film Festival amplify the growing demand for federal accountability regarding immigration enforcement. Their public statements highlight the tension between celebrating cultural achievements and confronting national crises of violence against civilians. The Natalie Portman ICE protest serves as a poignant example of how influential voices are channeling frustration and urgency into activism, urging broader public engagement and legislative opposition to ICE’s actions and budget expansions.
As public pressure mounts, further political responses and community actions are anticipated, aiming to address both the systemic issues within ICE and the broader immigration policies fueling widespread outrage. The unfolding protests and celebrity involvement may significantly influence future policy debates and reform initiatives across the nation.
Natalie Portman wears an "ICE out" pin at Sundance and slams ICE brutality:
"This is such a joyful community celebrating film here and we're so excited to be showing 'The Gallerist' here, but we're also at a moment in our country's history that is quite devastating," Portman… pic.twitter.com/78c0s504rV
— Variety (@Variety) January 24, 2026
