DC ‘No Kings’ protesters add immigration verse to ‘America the Beautiful’

WASHINGTON, DC: During protests against Donald Trump and his policies, demonstrators at a "No Kings" rally in Washington, DC, added a new verse to "America the Beautiful" that focused on immigration issues.

The moment occurred during a larger wave of coordinated protests across the United States, where people gathered to speak out against the government’s position on immigration and other issues.

DC protest song targets immigration policies

Participants in the DC area were seen singing a modified version of the patriotic song, including a line referencing “thy immigrant who hail from every land.”

In the video, several men in pink vests stand atop a stage, directing the crowd to sing the new lyrics, which went like this: “For beautiful, thy immigrant, Who hail from every land, By grace and work and diligence, Like gifts from God‘s own hands, America, America, By grace, shall that remain, To greet the poor, And reach the shore, With open arms again.”

Thousands of protesters took to the streets of DC on Saturday, as they did in major cities across the United States. This marked the third nationwide “No Kings” protest against Trump and his administration since he returned to office in January 2025.

Nationwide protests grow over Trump immigration policies

Protesters carried signs and chanted slogans supporting immigration rights, with some calling for changes to enforcement policies. A major reason for the protests was the increase in arrests and deportations of immigrants by ICE agents over the past year.  

Agents killed Renee Good and Alex Pretti, who lived in Minneapolis, MN, in separate incidents in January 2026.

Trump replaced Kristi Noem, the former head of the Department of Homeland Security, with Tom Homan, the border czar, in Minneapolis.

Homan ended the ICE surge operation there. Later, he gave Greg Bovino, the controversial Border Patrol commander-at-large, a new role. Bovino subsequently retired.

Noem eventually lost her position at DHS, and Markwayne Mullin (R), a former senator from Oklahoma, took over.

ICE-related violence against undocumented migrants and some American citizens continues to be blamed for the partial government shutdown, which has caused long lines at airports as unpaid TSA agents opt to skip work.

Democrats have refused to approve funding for DHS until they receive guarantees of changes within ICE.

In a statement, Chuck Schumer said Democrats “will not give a blank check to Trump’s lawless and deadly immigration militia without reforms.”

Crowds gathered in major cities, including New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, as well as smaller communities, reflecting the scale of the movement.

Estimates suggest millions of people participated in the demonstrations, making it one of the largest protest efforts in recent years.