Bad Bunny has shed light on his decision to exclude the United States from his upcoming global tour. Despite his consistent success in the U.S., he expressed concern that current immigration policies might lead to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) targeting his concerts. In an interview with i-D magazine, he stated, "ICE could be waiting outside, and that really worried us."
This announcement comes on the heels of his "No me quiero ir de aquí" residency wrap-up in Puerto Rico, where he performed 30 shows at San Juan's Coliseo. The residency drew over 400,000 attendees, including celebrities like LeBron James and Austin Butler, and generated an economic impact of approximately $200 million on the island.
When asked if his choice was influenced by the issue of mass deportations, Bad Bunny clarified, "There were many reasons why I didn't perform in the U.S., and none of them were out of hatred; I've performed there many times. Every show has been a success. I've enjoyed connecting with Latinos living in the United States. But specifically, for a residency here in Puerto Rico, being an unincorporated territory of the U.S., people from the U.S. could come to see the concert. Latinos and Puerto Ricans from the U.S. could also travel here."
"However," he continued, "there was the issue that, for example, the damn ICE could be outside [my concerts]. And it's something we talked about and were really concerned about."
The artist has previously spoken out against these raids. In June, he shared images of an ICE operation in Puerto Rico on Instagram, where he called the agents "imbeciles." Additionally, in the music video for "NUEVAYoL," he included a satirical apology from Donald Trump to immigrants, reinforcing his critical stance.
His DTMF World Tour is set to kick off in November, starting in the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, and Mexico. The tour will continue in 2026, visiting Colombia, Peru, Chile, Argentina, and Brazil, before moving on to Australia, Japan, and much of Europe. In Spain, he plans to perform 12 concerts—10 in Madrid and 2 in Barcelona—with tickets selling out within hours.
Through this decision, Bad Bunny underscores his role not just as a music icon but also as an advocate for the Latin community. "I am Hollywood, but I'm also the barrio, I'm Puerto Rico," he declared, emphasizing that his music is an act of resistance and a celebration of Puerto Rican pride.
Understanding Bad Bunny's Stance on U.S. Concerts
Why did Bad Bunny exclude the U.S. from his tour?
Bad Bunny cited concerns over ICE targeting his concerts due to current immigration policies as the primary reason for not including the U.S. in his tour.
How did Bad Bunny's residency in Puerto Rico perform?
His residency in Puerto Rico was highly successful, attracting over 400,000 attendees and generating an economic impact of approximately $200 million.
What is Bad Bunny's view on immigration policies?
Bad Bunny is critical of current immigration policies, particularly the actions of ICE, as he believes they unfairly target Latinos and immigrants.