Kacey Musgraves urges donations for immigrant children at Chicago concert

Country singer Kacey Musgraves paused the opening night of her Middle of Nowhere arena tour at Chicago’s United Center on Friday to promote the Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights. She described the nonprofit as providing legal assistance and financial support to children whose parents have been deported, adding that the effort was not political.

"It’s a wonderful organization, and they help give aid — legal aid — and money to children whose parents have been deported unfairly. It’s not a political thing. It’s just, these kids need help," Musgraves said.

The Chicago-based Young Center pairs volunteers with attorneys and social workers to advocate for unaccompanied and separated immigrant children in government custody. Its 2025 annual report indicated it served 1,975 children from 53 countries in 2024, opened 1,388 new cases, and noted a rise in average detention time from 30 to 198 days.

Musgraves’ appeal follows a partnership announced in April with resale platform Depop, which will sell 20 items from her wardrobe with proceeds earmarked for the Young Center. She expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, saying she “adore[s] the fact that the sales are supporting a really beautiful cause.”

Earlier in May, Musgraves invited three brothers, ages 18, 14 and 12, to open shows in Texas after their family was released from ICE custody. The family had entered the United States through a now-defunct CBP One appointment system and sought asylum after fleeing violence in Mexico. A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson noted that federal law requires detention of individuals who arrive without valid entry while their immigration claims are processed.

The concert marked the start of Musgraves’ North American arena tour, with Midland as the opening act and dates scheduled through October.