Arnold Schwarzenegger’s appearance on The View has reignited the debate over U.S. immigration. He calls for legal reforms while acknowledging immigrants’ vital contributions.
At a Glance
- Arnold Schwarzenegger has criticized current U.S. immigration policies, calling the system “stupid” for encouraging illegal crossings.
- He emphasized the need for comprehensive immigration reform, enhanced border security, and more legal work visas.
- Schwarzenegger called for bipartisan cooperation to tackle immigration issues, rather than using them for political gain.
- His comments sparked a tense on-air debate with co-hosts Whoopi Goldberg and Sunny Hostin over the rate of crime among immigrants.
- The conversation occurs in the ongoing debate over border wall extensions in Texas.
A Call for Comprehensive Immigration Reform
Arnold Schwarzenegger appeared on The View to openly critique current U.S. immigration policies. He described the system as “stupid” for encouraging illegal crossings and highlighted the more than 2.8 million migrants who have crossed the U.S.-Mexico border this year. As detailed by The Wrap, Schwarzenegger called for comprehensive immigration reform and stressed the need for more secure borders.
His call for reform did not stop at security. He suggested that offering more legal work visas for asylum seekers would alleviate some of the strain on border security efforts while allowing immigrants to contribute positively to the economy.
A Push for Bipartisan Cooperation
Batting away partisan divides, Schwarzenegger urged bipartisan cooperation to solve the nation’s immigration issues. “Democrats and Republicans have to come together to solve this issue if they want to be public servants,” he noted in a segment covered by Entertainment Weekly. He emphasized the need for local, state, and federal governments to work together to create effective policies.
The debate over border wall extensions in Texas is another facet of this broader conversation. Schwarzenegger suggested that a secure border, more work visas, and removing criminal elements would be essential to a robust immigration policy.
Acknowledging Immigrant Contributions in a Tense Debate
Despite his critiques of the system, Schwarzenegger expressed pride in his identity as a “proud American and proud immigrant.” He emphasized that while immigrants are welcome and vital to the nation’s fabric, they should adhere to the law, advising them to behave like guests in a host country.
This stance, however, prompted a tense debate with the show’s co-hosts. As reported by Decider, Whoopi Goldberg countered Schwarzenegger’s generalization, reminding him that “90% of the people who come here are trying to do the right thing.” Sunny Hostin also pointed out that immigrants are statistically less likely to commit crimes than American-born citizens, challenging his assertions
