2 weeks ago
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A Change.org petition calling for the deportation of Trinidad-born rapper Nicki Minaj has surpassed 120,000 signatures, igniting widespread debate about free speech, celebrity accountability, and immigration law in the United States.
The petition targets the 43 year old artist, whose legal name is Onika Tanya Maraj, and urges United States immigration authorities to review her residency status and consider deporting her to Trinidad and Tobago. The online campaign was launched last year and has seen a sharp increase in support in recent weeks amid renewed backlash over the rapper’s public statements and political associations.
Petition organizers cite several controversies as justification for their call. Among them is a remark attributed to Minaj suggesting that “boys should just be boys,” a statement that drew criticism from members of the LGBTQ plus community and former supporters who viewed the comment as dismissive and regressive. Critics argue that the remark marked a departure from what they perceived as the artist’s earlier support for marginalized groups.
Online responses to the petition describe her comments as harmful and accuse her of undermining a community that once viewed her as an ally. One widely shared statement supporting the petition claims that her remarks were not merely insensitive but damaging to the values of inclusivity and advocacy that many fans believed she represented.
Additional criticism has focused on Minaj’s repeated public attacks on music industry figures Shawn Carter, known as Jay Z, and his wife Beyoncé. Petition supporters argue that her rhetoric toward fellow artists has contributed to what they describe as a pattern of divisive behavior.
More recently, opposition intensified following Minaj’s perceived alignment with conservative political figures and rhetoric associated with the MAGA movement. Reports indicate that shortly before Christmas, Minaj appeared alongside Erika Kirk at a Turning Point USA AmericaFest event, where she publicly expressed support for conservative views linked to the late political activist Charlie Kirk.
Critics were further angered by Minaj’s statements expressing admiration for President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance. These remarks were viewed as inconsistent with her past comments from several years earlier, when she stated she would not support Trump politically. For many former fans, the shift reinforced perceptions that the artist had abandoned values they once associated with her public image.
Supporters of the petition argue that deportation would serve as a symbolic measure of accountability, asserting that public figures should face consequences for speech they believe harms vulnerable communities. However, civil liberties advocates have pushed back strongly against this position.
The American Civil Liberties Union has emphasized that freedom of expression is protected under the First Amendment regardless of immigration status. The organization has stated that criticizing government policy or expressing political opinions does not constitute grounds for deportation under U.S. law.
Minaj is a lawful permanent resident of the United States and currently holds a valid green card, which authorizes her to live and work in the country. Immigration experts note that deportation cannot be pursued solely on the basis of political speech or controversial opinions.
The rapper has previously spoken publicly about her immigrant status, noting that although she was born in Trinidad and Tobago, she has lived in the United States for many years and has paid substantial taxes during her career.
Despite the controversy, Minaj remains one of the most commercially successful artists in modern music history. She is widely recognized as a dominant force on the Billboard charts and is the first woman to achieve 100 entries on the Billboard Hot 100. Her catalog includes chart topping hits such as Super Freaky Girl, Say So, Trolls, and Barbie World, as well as enduring top ten singles including Super Bass, Anaconda, Side to Side, and Motorsport.
As of this writing, the petition continues to gain signatures, though there is no indication that U.S. immigration authorities are considering any action against the artist. The debate has instead reignited broader discussions about celebrity influence, political expression, and the limits of online activism.
English (US) ·