Country singer Kacey Musgraves turns concert into plea for kids whose parents were deported 'unfairly'
Eight-time Grammy award-winning country singer Kacey Musgraves paused the opening night of her "Middle of Nowhere" tour on Friday at Chicago's United Center to ask fans to donate to the Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights as her birthday wish, saying the nonprofit helped children whose parents had been deported "unfairly."
"It’s a wonderful organization, and they help give aid — legal aid — and money to children whose parents have been deported unfairly," Musgraves said. "It’s not a political thing. It’s just, these kids need help."
The Chicago-based Young Center describes its work as pairing volunteers with attorneys and social workers to advocate for unaccompanied and separated immigrant children in government custody. Its website lists family unity, release from custody, fair proceedings and children's best interests among its priorities.
The nonprofit reported serving 1,975 children from 53 countries in 2024 and opening 1,388 new cases. Its 2025 annual report said children's average detention time increased from 30 to 198 days and requests for assistance from detained parents quadrupled from 2024.
Friday’s appeal extended Musgraves’ support for the charity. In April, resale platform Depop announced that 20 pieces from her wardrobe, including clothing from music videos and tours, would be sold in capsule drops. Women's Wear Daily reported that all proceeds would benefit the Young Center.
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In announcing the sale, Musgraves described the beneficiary without discussing immigration enforcement.
"I also adore the fact that the sales are supporting a really beautiful cause," Musgraves said.
Musgraves also invited three brothers, ages 18, 14 and 12, to open three Texas shows in May after their family was released from ICE custody. The mariachi performers' family said they entered through the now-defunct CBP One appointment system in 2023 and sought asylum after fleeing violence in Mexico, KSAT reported.
DHS said the family entered illegally and had been released into the country by the Biden administration.
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Responding to the family’s detention, DHS said federal law required custody while its immigration claims were heard.
"The law requires illegal aliens who show up at a port of entry without valid entry to be detained while all their claims are heard. You can look it up in the statute," a DHS spokesperson told KSAT. "Unlike the previous administration, the Trump administration is not going to ignore the rule of law."
Musgraves' latest remarks came as ICE enforcement reached record levels. Federal sources told Fox News Digital that agents made about 51,000 immigration arrests in July, topping the previous record of roughly 43,000 in June.
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"Every day, the brave men and women of ICE are arresting and DEPORTING dangerous criminal illegal aliens, including gang members, from our country," DHS said.
The Chicago concert launched Musgraves’ North American arena tour, with Midland as the opening act. Official tour listings showed dates continuing through October.
Fox News Digital reached out to Musgraves, the Young Center, Depop and DHS for comment but did not immediately receive a response.