Kacey Musgraves is currently facing criticism after requesting concert attendees to donate to an immigrant children’s rights organization, Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights, during the opening night of her ‘Middle of Nowhere’ tour. Musgraves initiated the tour on her 38th birthday at Chicago’s United Center.
During the show, Musgraves paused to urge audience members to contribute to the organization, explaining, ‘It’s a wonderful organization, and they help give aid—legal aid—and money to children whose parents have been deported unfairly. It’s not a political thing. It’s just, these kids need help.’
Musgraves further emphasized, ‘They have no guidance and no way to get through this thing without their homebase or their parents. So anyway, 50 cents, whatever the hell, I don’t know, whatever you want to do but that would mean a lot to me.’ She added, ‘If you don’t want to, that’s totally fine too.’
The appeal was received with applause from the Chicago crowd, yet online reactions were mixed.
Conservative commentators critiqued Musgraves’ call for donations. Outkick’s ‘Tomi Lahren Is Fearless’ podcast host, Tomi Lahren, asked, ‘What is an unfair deportation?’ alongside a video of Musgraves’ request.
Commentary extended to other conservative voices, such as influencer Vince Langman, who said, ‘How about donating money to help kids whose parents have been killed by illegal immigrants? What happened to the country music industry?’
Musgraves was labeled a ‘traitor’ by some social media users who called for boycotts of her music and concerts. Musgraves’ wealth was highlighted by critics who argued that she should personally fund the cause, given her financial capacity.
However, her supporters praised her humanitarian efforts, expressing that the initiative was about the welfare of children. A fan online wrote, ‘Love this. It’s not a political thing. It’s just, these kids need help.’ Another added, ‘In all fairness, the kids didn’t do anything wrong.’
The Young Center aligns its mission with aiding unaccompanied immigrant children. Reports mentioned the charity served 1,975 children from 53 countries in 2024, with detention times escalating on average from 30 to 198 days. Musgraves has continued to support the organization through fundraising efforts.
Additionally, Musgraves collaborated with Depop to sell items from her wardrobe to fundraise for the Young Center. She also invited young mariachi performers, released from ICE custody, to open for her May performances in Texas.
As ICE enforcement has intensified, federal agents have noted record levels of immigration arrests, with about 51,000 arrests in July alone, surpassing June’s previous high.
Musgraves’ appeal marks an extension of her commitment to supporting unaccompanied immigrant children, an issue that remains contentious amid soaring enforcement and deportation rates.
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