WNBA MVP Breanna Stewart ignites conversation, demanding immigration reform through a powerful on-court statement, highlighting urgent policy failures and personal impact.
A silent moment before tipoff turned into a pointed public statement Sunday when Breanna Stewart used the opening stage of Unrivaled to deliver a message that extended far beyond the court.
During player introductions, Stewart — a co-founder of Unrivaled and a two-time WNBA MVP — held an “Abolish ICE” sign, a gesture that came one day after federal immigration officers killed a second person in Minneapolis this month. The action unfolded amid heightened tension across Minnesota, where protests have drawn national attention and prompted responses from athletes, leagues, and players’ unions.
Before the day’s games began, Unrivaled observed a moment of silence. A public address announcer told the crowd it was “to take a moment to reflect on the recent tragic events in Minnesota,” adding that the league’s thoughts were with those affected and families who had lost loved ones.
Stewart later explained that the decision to speak out had been weighing on her long before she stepped onto the floor. She said the steady stream of images and reports circulating online and in the news left her feeling overwhelmed and compelled to act, adding that the mood among players around the league reflected a similar sense of urgency and frustration.
“We’re so fueled by hate right now instead of love, so I wanted to have a simple message of ‘Abolish ICE,’ which means having policies to uplift families and communities instead of fueling fear and violence,” Stewart said.
For Stewart, the issue carries personal weight. She said immigration enforcement actions resonate even more deeply because her wife, Marta Xargay Casademont, is a Spanish citizen who is still in the process of securing U.S. citizenship. She described the situation as unsettling, noting that legal status does not always shield families from fear or disruption.
“It’s scary,” Stewart said. “You see it splitting up families and dissecting communities and kids are being involved. It’s the worst in all ways. … We’re working to get her citizenship, and she is a legal permanent resident and all of that. But it seems like it doesn’t matter.”
Stewart said those realities reinforce her belief that immigration reform is overdue, arguing current policies are failing to protect people or address the root causes of harm. Her comments echoed a broader wave of advocacy from WNBA players in recent days. Fellow Unrivaled co-founder Napheesa Collier, who plays for the Minnesota Lynx, publicly supported protestors calling for federal immigration agents to leave Minneapolis. Other players across the league have posted messages condemning violence and expressing solidarity with affected communities.
Veteran Lynx guard Natisha Hiedeman described the situation as heartbreaking in a social media post, writing that the city had “been flipped upside down and resorted to violence.” Brianna Turner, a member of the WNBPA’s executive committee, called the situation a “politically motivated ICE invasion” and warned that similar actions could spread elsewhere.
Activism has long been a defining feature of the WNBA, from players dedicating the 2020 bubble season to social justice efforts to using league platforms to elevate voting rights and political accountability. Stewart said she views that history as a responsibility rather than a burden.
“I think doing whatever you can to help your community is important,” she said. “Minnesota is the place that everyone’s seeing is in crisis, but it’s happening in many more cities than just one.”
She encouraged sustained engagement beyond social media, pointing to local officials and policy advocacy as essential steps, even if progress comes slowly.
“How many times do we have to see it happen over and over and over again,” Stewart said, “and use our platform to try to make a change and hopefully save a life?”
Stewart added that even as players and the league continue negotiations on a new collective bargaining agreement, she feels supported by teams when it comes to speaking out.
“While we don’t agree on all things,” she said, “we know that they’re supporting our platform, and we’re going to continue to fight in all the ways we can.”