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Lady Gaga Uses Tokyo Concert to Address ICE and US Immigration Issues, Triggers Mixed Responses

During her Tokyo Dome concert, Lady Gaga addressed ICE actions in the United States, using her Japan tour stop to speak about immigration, community, and fear back home.

Lady Gaga paused her concert at Tokyo Dome on Thursday (Jan 29), using her time on stage in Tokyo, Japan to address actions by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the impact they have had on families and communities across America.

Midway through her Mayhem Ball tour stop, the American pop star shifted the focus away from spectacle and toward reflection, speaking candidly to the Tokyo audience about issues unfolding thousands of miles away.

Performing outside the United States, Gaga acknowledged the distance — and the connection — between where she stood and what she was thinking about.

“We’re not in America right now, but we are with our community,” she said, explaining why the issue weighed heavily on her despite being abroad.

As her time in Japan came to a close, Gaga told fans that returning home was something she was approaching with an “aching heart.”

Lady Gaga condemned ICE in a speech during her show in Japan: “I wanna take a second to talk about something that it’s extremely important to me, something important to people all over the world, and especially in America right now. In a couple of days I’m gonna be heading home… pic.twitter.com/Bv3MVuUQmi

— LⱯDY GⱯGⱯ NOW (@ladygaganownet) January 29, 2026

“In a couple of days, I’m gonna be heading home, and my heart is aching thinking about the people – the children, the families, all over America – who are being mercilessly targeted by ICE,” she said. “I’m thinking about all of their pain and how their lives are being destroyed right in front of us.”

Speaking from Tokyo, Gaga also referenced recent events in Minnesota, where ICU nurse Alex Pretti was fatally shot by ICE agents — an incident that has sparked fear and uncertainty within local communities.

“I’m also thinking about Minnesota and everyone back at home who is living in so much fear and searching for answers on what we all should do. When entire communities lose their sense of safety and belonging, it breaks something in all of us,” said Gaga, who is scheduled to perform in Minnesota later this year. ” I hope that you’ll all stand with us tonight.”

Her comments underscored how performing internationally can sharpen an artist’s perspective on domestic issues, with Tokyo serving as a global stage rather than a political backdrop.

She then dedicated Come To Mama from her fourth studio album, Joanne, as a moment of collective grounding rather than protest. ” I’d like to dedicate this song to everyone who is suffering, to everyone who is feeling alone and helpless, anyone who’s lost their loved one,” she said. “And is having a difficult time, an impossible time, seeing when end will be near. We need to get back to a place of safety and peace and accountability.”

“Good people shouldn’t fight so hard and risk their life for well being and respect. And I hope, our leaders are listening, I hope you are listening to us, asking you to change the course of action swiftly, and have mercy on everyone in our country. And in a time where it doesn’t feel like it’s easy to have hope, it is my community and my friends, my family that hold me up. So, I would like to sing a song that does have some hope in it, to try to give us a little bit tonight.”

Lady Gaga is set to perform one more show in Tokyo on Jan 30 before returning to the United States for the 68th annual Grammy Awards, where she has been confirmed as a performer. She received seven Grammy nominations this year, including album of the year for Mayhem, as well as song of the year and record of the year for Abracadabra.

For one night at Tokyo Dome, the pop star transformed an international tour stop into a moment of global address — reminding fans that even from halfway across the world, conversations about home can’t be left behind.

Responses on social media were varied to say the least. Some praised the American singer for using her platform tos peak out. “Pop concert turning into a protest speech,” said one fan. “I love Lady Gaga’s voice—but I love her beautiful soul even more,” another added.

Pop concert turning into a protest speech

— M.Saravanan (@M_Saravanan09) January 29, 2026

I love Lady Gaga’s voice—but I love her beautiful soul even more.

— Suyutong (@Suyutong) January 29, 2026

Thank you Gaga for being on the right side of history. Things need to change here in the USA. We love you Lady Gaga.

— Jonathan Cummings (@JonathanCummi10) January 30, 2026

However, some criticised Gaga for choosing Japan to voice her opinions. “Japan’s new leader is also for mass deportation so I’m not sure this message with resonate with a lot of people. I understand where’s she coming from, but I’m tired of celebrities preaching about this as they live in their ivory tower with full security and gates,” said one commmenter.

“Why is she telling people in Tokyo about her problems with America? She should just sing, that’s what the ticket holders paid for,” said another.

Japan’s new leader is also for mass deportation so I’m not sure this message with resonate with a lot of people. I understand where’s she coming from, but I’m tired of celebrities preaching about this as they live in their ivory tower with full security and gates.

— ✨meggo-me-eggo✨ (@meggothealien) January 29, 2026

Why is she telling people in Tokyo about her problems with America? She should just sing, that’s what the ticket holders paid for.

— Russ (@SoCalRuss1983) January 29, 2026

Japan just voted for a pm to do mass deportations lol celebrities really are dumb

— ⁶ (@Nicktohot1) January 29, 2026

She needs to talk about that in USA, her country, not in Japan

— Francisco ☭ (@theneondemonn_) January 29, 2026

If I came to Lady Gaga’s concert and heard her spew politics, I would yell out, “I came for a concert, not a political rally.” Then, demand my money back.

— OldManLarry (@larr83530) January 29, 2026

Others lambasted the singer as an “anti-American psycho” and accused her of being “satanic.”