‘My heart is aching’: Lady Gaga condemns ICE during Tokyo Dome Concert

American pop star Lady Gaga paused her Mayhem Ball concert in Tokyo on Thursday to criticise United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), telling fans her “heart is aching” over what she described as the targeting of families and communities across the country.

Performing at the Tokyo Dome, the 39-year-old singer addressed the audience midway through her set, acknowledging that she was speaking from outside the United States but stressing the importance of solidarity with those affected at home.

“We’re not in America right now, but we are with our community,” Gaga told the crowd, adding that she would soon be returning to the United States following the Japan leg of her tour.

“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,” Gaga added, drawing loud applause from the audience.

The singer went on to reflect on what she described as a climate of fear affecting multiple communities, saying the issue extended beyond individual cases to broader questions of safety and belonging.

During her remarks, Gaga also referred to recent events in Minnesota, citing what she described as a fatal shooting involving ICU nurse Alex Pretti and ICE agents in Minneapolis.

“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,” she said, without providing further details during the performance.

“When entire communities lose their sense of safety and belonging, it breaks something in all of us,” Gaga told fans, framing the issue as a shared national trauma.

Gaga is scheduled to perform in St. Paul, Minnesota, in April as part of her ongoing Mayhem Ball tour, marking her return to the state she referenced during the Tokyo address.

The singer urged political leaders to respond to public concern, arguing that people should not have to endanger themselves to secure dignity and security.

“Good people shouldn’t have to fight so hard and risk their lives for well-being and respect,” she said. “I hope, I hope our leaders are listening.”

She later expanded on her message, calling for “safety and peace and accountability” and urging those in power to “change your course of action swiftly and have mercy on everyone in our country”.

After her remarks, Gaga introduced Come To Mama from her fourth studio album Joanne, dedicating the song to those affected by fear, loss, and uncertainty.

“At 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,” she told the audience.

“So, I would like to sing a song that does have some hope in it, to try to give us a little bit tonight,” she added, before beginning the performance.

Gaga has frequently used her platform to advocate on social and political issues, particularly around LGBTQ+ rights and inclusion.

During the Mayhem Ball tour, she has worn a sash in the colours of the transgender flag and, at some shows, waved the flag while addressing the audience.

During her performance of Paparazzi, a long cape transforms into a rainbow-coloured Pride flag that stretches across the stage, a visual moment that has drawn strong reactions from fans.

The Tokyo show marked one of the final international dates before Gaga returns to the United States for awards season appearances.

She is set to perform one more concert in Tokyo on 30 January before travelling back to attend the 68th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, where she has been confirmed as a performer.

Gaga received seven Grammy nominations this year, including album of the year for Mayhem, as well as song and record of the year for Abracadabra.

Her comments in Tokyo come amid longstanding controversy surrounding ICE’s enforcement tactics, which critics argue have created fear within immigrant and mixed-status communities across the United States.

Civil rights groups have repeatedly accused the agency of excessive use of force, lack of accountability, and conducting operations that endanger bystanders, including US citizens.

Public outrage intensified following recent fatal shootings in Minneapolis involving Pretti and community volunteer Renee Good, incidents that critics cited as emblematic of the risks posed by aggressive federal enforcement operations.

Although investigations are ongoing, the cases have fuelled protests and renewed scrutiny over how ICE conducts arrests and coordinates with local law enforcement.