Southern California’s Tongva tribe has reacted to Billie Eilish’s remarks made at the Grammy Awards, where she stated, “No one is an illegal alien on stolen land.” Her comments sparked criticism, particularly as she used her acceptance speech for the song of the year award to challenge Border Protection and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
“No one lives illegally on stolen land,” Eilish said, donning an “ICE OUT” pin. She expressed optimism, emphasizing the importance of continuing to fight and speak out, asserting that every voice matters.
Critics pointed out that Eilish owns a multimillion-dollar property in Los Angeles, which is reportedly on land historically inhabited by the Tongva tribe, a Native American group whose ancestral territory covers the greater Los Angeles Basin.
The tribe confirmed in a statement that Eilish’s home sits on “ancestral land” and noted that she hasn’t reached out to them regarding her property. They expressed appreciation for the opportunity to clarify her comments, acknowledging their understanding as Native Americans connected to the Los Angeles Basin.
They stated, “Although Eilish has not contacted our tribe directly regarding her property, we value the opportunity for a public figure to reveal the true history of this nation.” The tribe expressed hope for future discussions that more explicitly mention the Tongva people, highlighting that the Greater Los Angeles Basin remains their territory.
Eilish was among several celebrities who chose the Grammy stage to voice criticism against ICE and the Trump administration’s immigration policies, echoing sentiments such as “ICE is out,” stated by singer Bad Bunny.
