Kirk Franklin has never gone the traditional route when it comes to Gospel music and church culture. Over the years, he has called out Christians on various topics, and his latest remarks are about faith leaders’ silence on immigration.

Trump administration’s crackdown on immigration

Since the beginning of President Donald Trump’s second term in office, his administration has vowed to crack down on immigration by using Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers.

These officers have executed arrest operations nationwide to deport illegal immigrants. However, the latest incidents have led to the assault and death of multiple U.S. citizens as well as protests nationwide against the federal agency.

Celebrities have also called out ICE over its tactics, with stars like Kehlani, Bad Bunny, SZA, Billie Eilish and more making political statements at the 2026 Grammy Awards.

What did Kirk Franklin say about church leaders and ICE?

While speaking with Baller Alert on the red carpet at the Grammys, Franklin criticized church leaders for failing to address recent ICE-related issues that also affect Black communities. He said that more people need to speak up and show what true Christianity is about.

“I think that we should be very intentional about being very vocal about, first of all, Jesus’ momma and daddy were immigrants. So we just need to be very careful to not be arrogant and prideful. And I think that we need to get in the streets and to be able to save and love as many people as we can,” Franklin told Baller Alert. “And when I say ‘save,’ I’m not talking about just their souls — I’m talking about their lives.”

He continued: “We need to be feeding people, taking care of people, looking out for people. Because the way this government is happening, with this change in AI, it’s gonna put a lot of people out of work. So we need to be more compassionate about the human race.”

Watch the interview clip below:

Kirk Franklin shares his thoughts on what the Church could be doing during today’s climate. He reminds people that Jesus’ parents were immigrants and emphasizes that the mission isn’t just about saving souls, it’s also about protecting lives.

What do you think the Church’s role… pic.twitter.com/0C3MnADaNy
— Baller Alert 🚨 (@balleralert) February 2, 2026

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