Grammys 2018: Camila Cabello Delivers Speech About DACA & Dreamers

by Hillary Luehring-JonesJanuary 29, 2018, 6:27 pmDaily Digest, News, News Feed >

Camila Cabello gave an inspiring speech about Dreamers at the 2018 Grammy Awards.

CAMILA CABELLO SPEAKS ABOUT DREAMERS AT GRAMMY AWARDS

The Cuban-Mexican singer, 20, spoke about her experiences growing up as an immigrant in America before speaking on behalf of Dreamers, the name given to children who immigrate to the USA with their parents illegally. Under President Barack Obama‘s act DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), these children were offered protection from deportation. Under Donald Trump, the Dreamers are no longer protected, and Congress has until March 5 to agree on a new policy.

“Tonight in this room full of music’s dreamers we remember that this country was built by dreamers for dreamers chasing the American dream. I’m here on this stage tonight because just like the Dreamers, my parents brought me to this country with nothing in their pockets but hope,” said Cabello, who immigrated to Miami when she was 6. “They showed me what it means to work twice as hard and never give up. And honestly, no part of my journey is any different than theirs. I’m a proud Cuban-Mexican immigrant born in Eastern Havana. Standing in front of you on the Grammy stage in New York City and all I know is just like dreams, these kids can’t be forgotten and are worth fighting for.”

The singer finished her speech by introducing U2, who sang from a boat in front of the Statue of Liberty. “Tonight it is my great honor to introduce one of the greatest bands in music history, U2. This band from Ireland first rocked the Grammy boat when they won 4 awards 30 years ago for The Joshua Tree, an album that explored their own powerful connection with the American dream,” Cabello said. “46 Grammy nominations and 22 awards later, they extend their stunning Grammy legacy tonight by celebrating New York City and the promise that has drawn generations of immigrants here from around the world. Here they are on the Hudson River performing in front of a beautiful lady who inspired these timeless words by Emma Lazarus.

“Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door,” Cabello’s voice said in voice-over.

U2 then added their voice to the political message, saying “Blessed are the S—hole Countries, for they gave us the American Dream.”