Billie Eilish hit out at ICE as she received an award for her environmental advocacy

Billie said: "To be honest, I really don't feel deserving.

"And it's very strange to be celebrated for working towards environmental justice at a time where it feels less achievable than ever given the state of our country and the world right now.

"We're seeing our neighbours being kidnapped, peaceful protesters being assaulted and murdered, our civil rights being stripped, resources to fight the climate crisis being cut for fossil fuels and animal agriculture destroying our planet, and people's access to food and healthcare becoming a privilege for the wealthy instead of a new basic human right for all Americans.

"It is very clear that protecting our planet is not a priority for this administration. And it's really hard to celebrate that when we no longer feel safe in our own homes or in our streets."

The Birds of a Feather hitmaker explained that she was left feeling more optimistic by the spirit of the awards, which are inspired by the civil rights campaigner Martin Luther King Jr.

Eilish said: "I am so inspired by all the stories and the other honourees tonight and everyone in this room, and I'm grateful to everyone and for the huge community of people who are taking acting centred on Dr King's message.

"I just want to thank my mom, both my parents, for raising me the way they did. I wouldn't be doing any of this without you, Mom."

She added: "I have this platform and I think it's my responsibility to use it, so I feel like I'm just doing what anyone in my position should be doing."

Billie shared posts branding ICE as a "terrorist group" on her Instagram Story following the fatal shooting of Renee Good during an operation in Minneapolis earlier this month and was criticised for the "garbage rhetoric" by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

DHS assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin said: "ICE does not separate families. Parents are asked if they want to be removed from their children, or ICE will place the children with a safe person the parent designates. This is consistent with past administrations' immigration enforcement.

"It's garbage rhetoric from the likes of Billie Eilish that is leading to a 1,300 per cent increase in assaults and a 3,200 per cent increase in vehicle rammings against our brave law enforcement."