Massive Attack and Tom Waits release anti-ICE song

Massive Attack and Tom Waits have released an anti-ICE song 'Boots on the Ground'.

The track is accompanied by a 7-minute video montage depicting homelessness and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) brutality in the US. Featuring archival footage by photographer thefinaleye, the short film starts with a description:

"From the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25 2020, the recent ICE raids on migrant communities & the killing of civilians that protect them."

"From the brutal state repression of public protest, to the reality of American homelessness that includes nearly 33,000 military veterans."

The reappearing text is accompanied by heavy breathing in the background. The song's rhythm is driven by sounds resembling the clunk of military equipment, perhaps even the titular "boots on the ground."

"As of March 2026, eight people have been killed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, or in ICE custody," the video continues.

"As of February 2026, 68,289 people were being held in ICE detention. On that number, 73% - 50,259 people have no criminal convictions. Many of those with criminal convictions were committed for minor offences, including traffic violations."

Also including information about the 287(g) program, which lets ICE delegate their authority to local and state law enforcement agencies, the video names victims of ICE brutality and officers who died by suicide due to severe trauma.

The montage ends with a list of useful websites and help organisations.

Massive Attack's Robert Del Naja, known as 3D, was recently arrested, following a protest in London against the UK Government's prohibition of Palestine Action. He was one of hundreds of protestors, over 500 of whom were arrested by the Met Police.

The group has a history of vocal opposition, having previously called on Live Nation to sever ties with Israel, pledged to remove their music from Israeli streaming services, and publicly backed KNEECAP when British MPs sought to cancel their Glastonbury slot.

Elsewhere, Waits is slated to contribute to the upcoming Shane MacGowan tribute album, 20th Century Paddy - The Songs of Shane MacGowan, due out in autumn. It will feature artists like Bruce Springsteen, Hozier, Jessie Buckley, Amble, and The Pogues. See more here.

Watch the anti-ICE video below: