New Delhi: American-born singer-songwriter Bruce Springsteen, on 28 January, released ‘Streets of Minneapolis’, a protest song criticising United States President Donald Trump’s crackdown on immigration. He dedicated the song to the victims of the protests and the city of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
“I wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it to you today in response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis. It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbours and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good,” said Springsteen in a statement shared online.
In January 2026, two US citizens were shot and killed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), an agency under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old nurse, was shot by agents in the city while being pinned down during the protests on 24 January. Renée Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, was killed by an ICE agent on 7 January during a federal immigration operation in Minneapolis.
Springsteen has been vocal about the violent tactics used by ICE agents in the past. At a show in Red Bank, New Jersey, on 17 January, he spoke about how the “ideals and values” of the United States were being tested like never before in modern times.
“If you stand against heavily armed, masked federal troops invading an American city, using Gestapo tactics against our fellow citizens. If you believe you don’t deserve to be murdered for exercising your American right to protest, then send a message to this president,” said Springsteen, to a cheering crowd.
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‘Streets of Minneapolis’
The lyrics of ‘Streets of Minneapolis’ paint a vivid imagery of the crackdown and protests witnessed in the city. Springsteen sings about a “city aflame, fought fire and ice” and mentions Alex Pretti and Renée Good being “left to die on snow-filled streets”.
The song starts with just an acoustic guitar and Springsteen’s signature raspy voice, before transitioning to an all-out rock and roll tune with background singers. On YouTube, the cover image of the song is a group of protestors holding up “Neighbors say ICE out” signs.
“People forget that Springsteen has been writing and singing protest songs for fifty years. The man is the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) for a reason. When you’re the subject of his music, that’s because it matters,” wrote one user under the video, which has already amassed nearly 2 million views in less than a day.
Springsteen’s lyrics directly address Trump, calling ICE his “private army from the DHS” and mockingly referring to the president as a “king”.
“King Trump’s private army from the DHS / Guns belted to their coats / Came to Minneapolis to enforce the law / Or so their story goes,” sings Springsteen.
An increase in immigration crackdown
Since the start of his second term, Trump has aggressively prioritised immigration enforcement, aimed at sharply reducing both illegal and legal migrants into the United States. Large-scale ICE raids and deportations have been conducted across major US cities, including Los Angeles, New York City, Chicago and Portland.
Effective 21 January, the Department of State also suspended processing visas for nationals of 75 countries, including Brazil, Colombia, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Uruguay, and Thailand.
“The Trump administration is focused on encouraging state and local Democrats to work with federal law enforcement officers on removing dangerous criminal illegal aliens from their communities — not random songs with irrelevant opinions and inaccurate information,” said White House Spokesperson Abigail Jackson, in response to the song, according to PBS.
(Edited by Insha Jalil Waziri)