Martha Stewart is 'not happy' that ICE is in her neighborhood Ralphie Aversa, USA TODAY February 8, 2026 at 12:29 AM 0 Selfie queen and lifestyle expert Martha Stewart SAN FRANCISCO – Martha Stewart says she's typically "an extremely optimistic person," but she's "feeling a little bit down" right now. "I'm not happy with what's going on with immigration," the entrepreneur and TV host, 84, tells USA TODAY. "We got a notice in my town of Bedford, NY, that ICE was in the schools. That's extremely depressing. And this is a beautiful suburban town, an hour from New York City. It's crazy.
- - Martha Stewart is 'not happy' that ICE is in her neighborhood
Ralphie Aversa, USA TODAY February 8, 2026 at 12:29 AM
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Selfie queen and lifestyle expert Martha Stewart
SAN FRANCISCO – Martha Stewart says she's typically "an extremely optimistic person," but she's "feeling a little bit down" right now.
"I'm not happy with what's going on with immigration," the entrepreneur and TV host, 84, tells USA TODAY. "We got a notice in my town of Bedford, NY, that ICE was in the schools. That's extremely depressing. And this is a beautiful suburban town, an hour from New York City. It's crazy. 'Big brother' watching is not an easy way to live."
The Daily Voice reported that in a message to families, the Bedford Central School District confirmed ICE officers were in the area.
"ICE was in Mount Kisco this morning looking for a specific individual," Superintendent Rob Glass wrote, according to the Daily Voice. "We want to reassure you that we have clear, specific protocols in place for addressing any potential interactions with ICE agents."
As for Stewart, she recently spoke out about the federal government's handling of immigration after the urging from her 14-year-old granddaughter Jude.
"I'm not sure it's excusable to not being speaking up right now," Jude wrote in a message to Stewart, which the TV chef posted on Instagram.
"She is fourteen and sensitive to what is going on in our country as we all should be. I am disheartened and sad each and every day that we cannot demonstrate our sympathy for the beleaguered," Stewart said in her post. "We are told immigrants – which most of us are or descended from – are unwelcome, that we cannot show our frustration in peaceful demonstrations and that we can be attacked and even killed by Federal troops."
SinJe Lee, Amanda Seyfried and Stewart attend the Tory Burch fall/winter 2025 show during New York Fashion Week at on Feb. 10, 2025, in New York City.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/ip3RUfn class=caas-img data-headline="See Martha Stewart through the years, from recipes to the red carpet" data-caption="
SinJe Lee, Amanda Seyfried and Stewart attend the Tory Burch fall/winter 2025 show during New York Fashion Week at on Feb. 10, 2025, in New York City.
">SinJe Lee, Amanda Seyfried and Stewart attend the Tory Burch fall/winter 2025 show during New York Fashion Week at on Feb. 10, 2025, in New York City.
" src=https://ift.tt/ip3RUfn class=caas-img>Kate Upton, Stewart and Lily Aldridge attend the 2024 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue launch party at Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square on May 16, 2024, in New York City.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/uMJLBFK class=caas-img data-headline="See Martha Stewart through the years, from recipes to the red carpet" data-caption="
Kate Upton, Stewart and Lily Aldridge attend the 2024 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue launch party at Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square on May 16, 2024, in New York City.
">Kate Upton, Stewart and Lily Aldridge attend the 2024 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue launch party at Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square on May 16, 2024, in New York City.
" src=https://ift.tt/uMJLBFK class=caas-img>
Stewart poses with chef Daniel Boulud at the opening of Centurion New York on March 7, 2023.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/j4OUgxM class=caas-img data-headline="See Martha Stewart through the years, from recipes to the red carpet" data-caption="
Stewart poses with chef Daniel Boulud at the opening of Centurion New York on March 7, 2023.
">Stewart poses with chef Daniel Boulud at the opening of Centurion New York on March 7, 2023.
" src=https://ift.tt/j4OUgxM class=caas-img>
Stewart walks arm in arm with designer Dennis Basso at his fashion show during New York Fashion Week on Sept. 12, 2022.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/HFaAm5N class=caas-img data-headline="See Martha Stewart through the years, from recipes to the red carpet" data-caption="
Stewart walks arm in arm with designer Dennis Basso at his fashion show during New York Fashion Week on Sept. 12, 2022.
">Stewart walks arm in arm with designer Dennis Basso at his fashion show during New York Fashion Week on Sept. 12, 2022.
" src=https://ift.tt/HFaAm5N class=caas-img>Stewart and Ed Sheeran share a moment at iHeartRadio's Z100 Jingle Ball in New York City in December 2021.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/ob6Hk7W class=caas-img data-headline="See Martha Stewart through the years, from recipes to the red carpet" data-caption="
Stewart and Ed Sheeran share a moment at iHeartRadio's Z100 Jingle Ball in New York City in December 2021.
">Stewart and Ed Sheeran share a moment at iHeartRadio's Z100 Jingle Ball in New York City in December 2021.
" src=https://ift.tt/ob6Hk7W class=caas-img>Stewart poses for Harper Bazaar's March 2021 issue.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/ZiTNrL2 class=caas-img data-headline="See Martha Stewart through the years, from recipes to the red carpet" data-caption="
Stewart poses for Harper Bazaar's March 2021 issue.
">Stewart poses for Harper Bazaar's March 2021 issue.
" src=https://ift.tt/ZiTNrL2 class=caas-img>Stewart in the stands of the 145th annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog show on June 13, 2021.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/VLh0Mty class=caas-img data-headline="See Martha Stewart through the years, from recipes to the red carpet" data-caption="
Stewart in the stands of the 145th annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog show on June 13, 2021.
">Stewart in the stands of the 145th annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog show on June 13, 2021.
" src=https://ift.tt/VLh0Mty class=caas-img>Stewart at a Super Bowl LIV Party on Jan. 31, 2020.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/QUZe9T7 class=caas-img data-headline="See Martha Stewart through the years, from recipes to the red carpet" data-caption="
Stewart at a Super Bowl LIV Party on Jan. 31, 2020.
">Stewart at a Super Bowl LIV Party on Jan. 31, 2020.
" src=https://ift.tt/QUZe9T7 class=caas-img>She has written numerous best-selling books on cooking, gardening and weddings throughout her career.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Stewart poses with her book "Martha Stewart's Cookie Perfection: 100+ Recipes to Take Your Sweet Treats to the Next Level" in 2019. She has written numerous best-selling books on cooking, gardening and weddings throughout her career.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/0GLSJW8 class=caas-img data-headline="See Martha Stewart through the years, from recipes to the red carpet" data-caption="
Stewart poses with her book "Martha Stewart's Cookie Perfection: 100+ Recipes to Take Your Sweet Treats to the Next Level" in 2019. She has written numerous best-selling books on cooking, gardening and weddings throughout her career.
">Stewart poses with her book "Martha Stewart's Cookie Perfection: 100+ Recipes to Take Your Sweet Treats to the Next Level" in 2019. She has written numerous best-selling books on cooking, gardening and weddings throughout her career.
" src=https://ift.tt/0GLSJW8 class=caas-img>Stewart attends the New York premiere of "Downton Abbey" with fellow chef Sandra Lee in 2019.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/IGQLVw3 class=caas-img data-headline="See Martha Stewart through the years, from recipes to the red carpet" data-caption="
Stewart attends the New York premiere of "Downton Abbey" with fellow chef Sandra Lee in 2019.
">Stewart attends the New York premiere of "Downton Abbey" with fellow chef Sandra Lee in 2019.
" src=https://ift.tt/IGQLVw3 class=caas-img>Stewart and Ryan Seacrest at the 2019 Fashion Scholarship Fund Awards Gala in New York City.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/LxHUVnC class=caas-img data-headline="See Martha Stewart through the years, from recipes to the red carpet" data-caption="
Stewart and Ryan Seacrest at the 2019 Fashion Scholarship Fund Awards Gala in New York City.
">Stewart and Ryan Seacrest at the 2019 Fashion Scholarship Fund Awards Gala in New York City.
" src=https://ift.tt/LxHUVnC class=caas-img>
Stewart throws out the ceremonial first pitch before a game between the New York Yankees and the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium in 2018.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/R9VGw4O class=caas-img data-headline="See Martha Stewart through the years, from recipes to the red carpet" data-caption="
Stewart throws out the ceremonial first pitch before a game between the New York Yankees and the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium in 2018.
">Stewart throws out the ceremonial first pitch before a game between the New York Yankees and the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium in 2018.
" src=https://ift.tt/R9VGw4O class=caas-img>Stewart at the AOL Build Speaker Series in 2016.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/6klMN4j class=caas-img data-headline="See Martha Stewart through the years, from recipes to the red carpet" data-caption="
Stewart at the AOL Build Speaker Series in 2016.
">Stewart at the AOL Build Speaker Series in 2016.
" src=https://ift.tt/6klMN4j class=caas-img>
Stewart poses at her silent auction with a guitar signed by Justin Bieber during The Martha Stewart Center for Living 2015 Gala.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/4fY8Tmt class=caas-img data-headline="See Martha Stewart through the years, from recipes to the red carpet" data-caption="
Stewart poses at her silent auction with a guitar signed by Justin Bieber during The Martha Stewart Center for Living 2015 Gala.
">Stewart poses at her silent auction with a guitar signed by Justin Bieber during The Martha Stewart Center for Living 2015 Gala.
" src=https://ift.tt/4fY8Tmt class=caas-img>Stewart speaks at the gala.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/0LHksgo class=caas-img data-headline="See Martha Stewart through the years, from recipes to the red carpet" data-caption="
Stewart speaks at the gala.
">Stewart speaks at the gala.
" src=https://ift.tt/0LHksgo class=caas-img>Stewart unveiling a limited edition Triscuit flavor at the Gramercy Park Hotel in 2015.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/6e0b5OU class=caas-img data-headline="See Martha Stewart through the years, from recipes to the red carpet" data-caption="
Stewart unveiling a limited edition Triscuit flavor at the Gramercy Park Hotel in 2015.
">Stewart unveiling a limited edition Triscuit flavor at the Gramercy Park Hotel in 2015.
" src=https://ift.tt/6e0b5OU class=caas-img>
Before becoming a TV icon, Stewart started a modeling career while studying at Barnard College.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Stewart and model Karlie Kloss pose for a photo at the 2015 Time 100 Gala. Before becoming a TV icon, Stewart started a modeling career while studying at Barnard College.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/Mq3VBAu class=caas-img data-headline="See Martha Stewart through the years, from recipes to the red carpet" data-caption="
Stewart and model Karlie Kloss pose for a photo at the 2015 Time 100 Gala. Before becoming a TV icon, Stewart started a modeling career while studying at Barnard College.
">Stewart and model Karlie Kloss pose for a photo at the 2015 Time 100 Gala. Before becoming a TV icon, Stewart started a modeling career while studying at Barnard College.
" src=https://ift.tt/Mq3VBAu class=caas-img>Stewart attends the Rag & Bone fall/winter menswear presentation in 2015.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/Ko15EaX class=caas-img data-headline="See Martha Stewart through the years, from recipes to the red carpet" data-caption="
Stewart attends the Rag & Bone fall/winter menswear presentation in 2015.
">Stewart attends the Rag & Bone fall/winter menswear presentation in 2015.
" src=https://ift.tt/Ko15EaX class=caas-img>Stewart attends the Food Network & Cooking Channel New York City Wine & Food Festival in 2015.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/l0Snq5U class=caas-img data-headline="See Martha Stewart through the years, from recipes to the red carpet" data-caption="
Stewart attends the Food Network & Cooking Channel New York City Wine & Food Festival in 2015.
">Stewart attends the Food Network & Cooking Channel New York City Wine & Food Festival in 2015.
" src=https://ift.tt/l0Snq5U class=caas-img>Stewart poses with Donald Trump at the New York Observer relaunch event in 2014.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/Wl39yRo class=caas-img data-headline="See Martha Stewart through the years, from recipes to the red carpet" data-caption="
Stewart poses with Donald Trump at the New York Observer relaunch event in 2014.
">Stewart poses with Donald Trump at the New York Observer relaunch event in 2014.
" src=https://ift.tt/Wl39yRo class=caas-img>A promo image for Stewart's 2013 lifestyle book, "Living The Good Long Life: A Practical Guide to Caring for Yourself and Others."
" data-src=https://ift.tt/R6Aq9k0 class=caas-img data-headline="See Martha Stewart through the years, from recipes to the red carpet" data-caption="
A promo image for Stewart's 2013 lifestyle book, "Living The Good Long Life: A Practical Guide to Caring for Yourself and Others."
">A promo image for Stewart's 2013 lifestyle book, "Living The Good Long Life: A Practical Guide to Caring for Yourself and Others."
" src=https://ift.tt/R6Aq9k0 class=caas-img>
Stewart pictured at Hub Network's Halloween Bash in Santa Monica, California, in 2013.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/zbGflMW class=caas-img data-headline="See Martha Stewart through the years, from recipes to the red carpet" data-caption="
Stewart pictured at Hub Network's Halloween Bash in Santa Monica, California, in 2013.
">Stewart pictured at Hub Network's Halloween Bash in Santa Monica, California, in 2013.
" src=https://ift.tt/zbGflMW class=caas-img>Stewart at a game between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox in 2013.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/Fory8Ij class=caas-img data-headline="See Martha Stewart through the years, from recipes to the red carpet" data-caption="
Stewart at a game between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox in 2013.
">Stewart at a game between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox in 2013.
" src=https://ift.tt/Fory8Ij class=caas-img>Stewart attends a Dolce & Gabbana and The Cinema Society screening of "Madonna: The MDNA Tour" in 2013.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/TEmKJUX class=caas-img data-headline="See Martha Stewart through the years, from recipes to the red carpet" data-caption="
Stewart attends a Dolce & Gabbana and The Cinema Society screening of "Madonna: The MDNA Tour" in 2013.
">Stewart attends a Dolce & Gabbana and The Cinema Society screening of "Madonna: The MDNA Tour" in 2013.
" src=https://ift.tt/TEmKJUX class=caas-img>
Stewart alongside Ralph Rucci, Calvin Klein and Tory Burch at her American Made Program in 2012 in New York City.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/TgGkBaW class=caas-img data-headline="See Martha Stewart through the years, from recipes to the red carpet" data-caption="
Stewart alongside Ralph Rucci, Calvin Klein and Tory Burch at her American Made Program in 2012 in New York City.
">Stewart alongside Ralph Rucci, Calvin Klein and Tory Burch at her American Made Program in 2012 in New York City.
" src=https://ift.tt/TgGkBaW class=caas-img>Stewart demonstrating various tips during her American Made Program.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/0CejUFJ class=caas-img data-headline="See Martha Stewart through the years, from recipes to the red carpet" data-caption="
Stewart demonstrating various tips during her American Made Program.
">Stewart demonstrating various tips during her American Made Program.
" src=https://ift.tt/0CejUFJ class=caas-img>Stewart and Claire Danes attend the New York Women In Film & Television 31st annual Muse Awards in 2011.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/y6hG8Wa class=caas-img data-headline="See Martha Stewart through the years, from recipes to the red carpet" data-caption="
Stewart and Claire Danes attend the New York Women In Film & Television 31st annual Muse Awards in 2011.
">Stewart and Claire Danes attend the New York Women In Film & Television 31st annual Muse Awards in 2011.
" src=https://ift.tt/y6hG8Wa class=caas-img>
Stewart's on the August 2007 cover of Wired magazine.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/q2XpDUT class=caas-img data-headline="See Martha Stewart through the years, from recipes to the red carpet" data-caption="
Stewart's on the August 2007 cover of Wired magazine.
">Stewart's on the August 2007 cover of Wired magazine.
" src=https://ift.tt/q2XpDUT class=caas-img>Stewart teams up with ESPN journalist Kenny Mayne to prepare the "Ultimate Nachos" to snack on during the Super Bowl in 2006.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/yYaNdzB class=caas-img data-headline="See Martha Stewart through the years, from recipes to the red carpet" data-caption="
Stewart teams up with ESPN journalist Kenny Mayne to prepare the "Ultimate Nachos" to snack on during the Super Bowl in 2006.
">Stewart teams up with ESPN journalist Kenny Mayne to prepare the "Ultimate Nachos" to snack on during the Super Bowl in 2006.
" src=https://ift.tt/yYaNdzB class=caas-img>
Stewart poses with her Chow Chow in 1999.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/p0qOe1u class=caas-img data-headline="See Martha Stewart through the years, from recipes to the red carpet" data-caption="
Stewart poses with her Chow Chow in 1999.
">Stewart poses with her Chow Chow in 1999.
" src=https://ift.tt/p0qOe1u class=caas-img>
1 / 48See Martha Stewart through the years, from recipes to the red carpetStewart attends the Special Screening of the documentary film The New Yorker at 100 hosted by Netflix on Dec. 4, 2025, in New York City.
Stewart's initial comments came after tension over ICE's crackdown boiled over in Minneapolis following two high-profile incidents. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents shot and killed Renee Nicole Good, a U.S. citizen, in January. Good was protesting against ICE agents in Twin Cities.
Alex Pretti was also killed by Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis in January. In both instances, the Trump administration characterized the shootings as an act of self-defense, while local authorities have pointed to video evidence that appears to show that Pretti wasn't brandishing a weapon and that Good wasn't a threat to officers.
"I'm not going to get terribly political and criticize anybody individually," Stewart said to USA TODAY ahead of the Super Bowl. "America's a beautiful place, and we have had such a beautiful life here, and we have to continue to have that."
Martha Stewart and Jude Stewart attend iHeartRadio z100's Jingle Ball 2023 at Madison Square Garden on Dec. 8, 2023, in New York City.Martha Stewart teams with Pepsi to highlight small businesses
The Emmy-award-winning TV personality Stewart spoke with USA TODAY at an appearance with Pepsi during Super Bowl week in San Francisco. Pepsi hosted "Bay Area Local Eats," at the NFL Fan Experience, which showcased a number of local restaurants in the area.
Stewart praised Pepsi, who she's partnered with for "several years," for helping out small businesses with tasks like public relations and social media marketing.
"Everything is extremely expensive," she says of business costs, pointing to a December 2025 Wall Street Journal story that explained out a $500 tab at a restaurant can yield only $25 profit. "That was their profit because of labor costs and because of food costs, and because of rents and because of everything else that goes on.
Restaurants are "a very hard business right now," Stewart continued. "The cost of living has soared. And yet, we all love to eat out. We all love to support our local restaurants. So, what to do? That's a problem."
Contributing: Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Martha Stewart is 'not happy' that ICE is in her neighborhood
Source: "AOL Entertainment"
Source: Entertainment
Published: February 07, 2026 at 06:45PM on Source: PRIME TIME
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