Brandi Carlile Pledges $25,000 To Support ICE Detainees In Minnesota
Carlile said she was “heartbroken and angry for Minnesota” as she announced funding to support detainees and amplify organizing efforts.
Brandi Carlile has announced a $25,000 grant to support people held in immigration detention in Minnesota, citing concern over what she described as an escalating climate of hate and urging continued collective action.
The funding will be distributed through Carlile’s nonprofit organization, the Looking Out Foundation, to The Advocates for Human Rights, a Minnesota-based group that provides free legal assistance to people in immigration detention. According to Carlile, the grant is intended to support detainees who are navigating complex legal systems while in custody.
In a statement shared on social media, Carlile said she was “heartbroken and angry for Minnesota,” while also praising the response of local communities in recent weeks. She wrote that Minnesotans have “continued to set an incredible example for the rest of us, demonstrating the power of uniting to protect our neighbours and defend what is right.”
Carlile pointed to recent acts of international solidarity, including a vigil organized in Mexico by members of the Minnesota Bramily. The vigil honored Renée Good and the 32 people who have died in ICE custody since the beginning of 2025.
“Now, more than ever, it is vital that we continue to hold each other and take action to stop the hate that is spreading through our country,” Carlile said.
In addition to the grant, Carlile said the Looking Out Foundation would share organizing resources and guidance aimed at helping communities support one another and resist injustice. She also encouraged supporters to use the 5 Calls app to contact elected officials and advocate for accountability and reform.
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“What affects one of us, affects all of us and we need to continue to look out for each other,” she said, concluding her statement with: “We’ll find a way.”
Founded by Carlile and her wife Catherine Shepherd, the Looking Out Foundation focuses on supporting grassroots organizations working at the intersection of human rights, environmental justice, and civic engagement. The foundation regularly partners with local groups to provide direct funding, amplify on-the-ground efforts, and offer practical tools for community organizing, particularly during moments of political or humanitarian crisis.
The announcement also comes as Carlile prepares for a high-profile appearance on one of the country’s largest stages. She is scheduled to perform “America the Beautiful” during the upcoming Super Bowl pregame. In the current political and social climate, the song, traditionally presented as a unifying patriotic anthem, is likely to be heard differently.
