Bad Bunny Excludes U.S. Tour Over ICE Concerns
So, the headline’s true: Bad Bunny isn’t coming to the US on his “Debí Tirar Más Fotos” World Tour, and fans are feeling it, hard.
In a move that’s equal parts bold and tender, the Puerto Rican superstar has side-stepped US stops entirely, a choice rooted less in calculation and more in concern.
On X, @viralpopculture shared that Bad Bunny revealed he decided not to include the United States in his tour dates due to concerns over ICE raids. The artist expressed his worries, stating, "There was the issue of like, f***ing ICE could be outside my concert," emphasizing how much the situation weighed on him and his team.
On X, @dallasglobaltv reported that Bad Bunny explained his decision to skip the U.S. on his tour due to concerns about ICE's presence at his concerts. He expressed worry that "ICE could be outside" the events, highlighting the seriousness of the issue for him and his team.
He told i-D magazine directly: yeah, worry about ICE raids and mass deportations of Latinos played a huge role in deciding to nix U.S. arenas from the itinerary.
If you’re one of those folks who expected to snag tickets and catch Benito live from Atlanta to LA, well, this year, pack your passport.
ICE Raids: The Real Showstopper
In the first sentence? Yep, Bad Bunny’s worried his shows could draw ICE, literally outside the concert venues, like some twisted form of crowd control.
The man’s not just guessing, either. Recent history has seen ICE ramping up arrests at major Latino events, with the Trump administration pushing for 3,000-plus detentions a day.
Think about it: you’re heading to dance through an electrifying reggaeton set, but you can’t shake the fear federal agents might be waiting at the door.
Bad Bunny’s voiced his anger about this before, calling ICE “sons of bitches” on Instagram, furious about immigrant families just trying to work. No sugarcoating, just straight talk.
Residency in Puerto Rico: Home Base, Open Arms
So why not just play it safe and do a residency in Puerto Rico? That’s exactly what Bad Bunny did. He set up camp at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot for a sprawling 30-show run, the kind of thing that feels more like a local fiesta than a mega-tour kick-off.
When he says, “People from the US could come here to see the show,” he means it. A little inconvenient? Sure. Kinda romantic? Definitely.
Puerto Rico gives him a space to celebrate Latino culture on his own turf, and at least fans willing to hop a flight won’t have to worry about ICE lurking at the exits.
The crowd there is a heady mix, locals, Hollywood stars, long-haul fans from the States, all blending together to create something unrushed and, for once, free from the shadow of immigration raids.
Why Skip the US When You’re This Huge?
You gotta admit, Bad Bunny skipping the US is wild. He’s not one to turn his back on American fans; he’s packed stadiums coast-to-coast before, with roaring success each time.
But this time, he’s prioritizing safety over sales, and honestly, who can blame him? “None of [the reasons] were out of hate,” he insists. “I’ve enjoyed connecting with Latinos who have been living in the United States.” Yet the landscape has shifted.
The vibe around Latino gatherings has gotten tense lately; high-profile festivals have been outright canceled, organizers too scared of ICE showing up and ruining the party.
If you grew up feeling music was a safe space, this kind of anxiety is heartbreaking and kind of rage-inducing. Can’t help but feel for everyone caught in the crossfire: immigrants, fans, artists, even event staff.
What Fans Are Saying: Bummed But Loyal
Here’s the vibe on the ground: some fans are devastated. Others are pragmatic. Nobody’s mad at Bad Bunny; if anything, folks seem proud he’s taking a stand, even if it means shelling out for flights to Puerto Rico or Brussels.
Some dreamy types are posting on social, “Road trip to San Juan, anyone?” while the rest of us mourn missing out on what would have been, let’s be real, a killer show.
There’s a whole undercurrent of solidarity; Latino fans feel seen, like Bad Bunny’s looking out for them in all the ways no one else seems to right now. Not every pop star would opt for empathy over easy money.
The Broader Backdrop: Migrant Artists Under Pressure
Bad Bunny’s not alone in his worries. Recent stories point to a real shift, festivals like Michelada Fest in Chicago axed their lineups altogether, organizers tossing up their hands over artist visa hassles and ever-mutating political climates.
Even big names outside reggaeton are nervous: Neil Young, half-Canadian, half-mythic folk hero, wrote an open letter fretting Trump might ban him from re-entering America after a European tour.
It’s enough to make any international artist think twice before booking US gigs these days. The tension isn’t just bureaucratic; it’s personal, sometimes even painful.
Not Just About the Music
Look, Bad Bunny’s choice isn’t simply career calculus, it’s a human decision, wrapped up in worry, love, and maybe even a little stubborn hope. When artists get caught between politics and the pulse of their communities, you end up with outcomes that hurt, sure.
But you also get these unexpected moments of unity, resilience, and, if you’re lucky, a little humor. Maybe one day, “Debí Tirar Más Fotos” will tour all through the US, no fear required.
For now, catch Benito on his own terms. And if ICE ever tries to crash that party, here’s hoping they get lost in the music.
