Shakira is opening up about her experience as an immigrant in the United States, revealing that she now lives in “constant fear” due to the country’s shifting political climate.
In a new interview with BBC News, the Colombian-born pop superstar spoke candidly about how her outlook has changed since first arriving in the U.S. as a teenager. According to Shakira, when she first came to America, she felt welcomed and accepted, but now things are different.
“I was only 19 when I moved to the U.S., like many other Colombian immigrants who come to this country looking for a better future,” she said.
The singer admitted that the atmosphere feels far more hostile under the current political environment, particularly in the wake of President Donald Trump’s aggressive immigration policies. When asked what it means to be an immigrant in the U.S. today, Shakira responded plainly: “It means living in constant fear. And it’s painful to see.”
Shakira also emphasized the importance of unity and advocacy during such turbulent times, stating that people in America must “remain united” and raise their voices to “make it very clear that a country can change its immigration policies, but the treatment of all people must always be humane.”
Her remarks come amid ongoing tensions surrounding immigration enforcement, including recent workplace raids in Los Angeles conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). In response to protests sparked by the raids, President Donald Trump authorized the deployment of the National Guard to aid federal agents for a 60-day period.
