Australian Activist Deported Over Eilish-Inspired Stunt

An Australian activist claimed he was deported from the United States after attempting a satirical stunt inspired by pop star Billie Eilish's recent Grammy Awards speech criticizing immigration enforcement. Drew Pavlou, 26, said U.S. authorities detained him for 30 hours at Los Angeles International Airport before sending him back to Australia, citing issues with his visa and concerns over his planned activities.

The incident stems from Eilish's remarks on February 2, 2026, during her acceptance of the Song of the Year award at the Grammys in Los Angeles. While expressing gratitude for the honor, the singer addressed rising anti-immigration sentiment in the U.S., a country she described as built on land taken from Indigenous peoples. "No one is illegal on stolen land," Eilish stated. "Fk ICE," she added, referring to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, an agency facing scrutiny for recent raids and incidents involving civilian deaths. She urged continued activism, saying, "Our voices really do matter, and the people matter." The comments drew applause from the audience, including other artists like Bad Bunny, who also criticized ICE.

Pavlou, a self-described performance...