Comedy Night Takes Aim at Immigration Policies

(AFP) — Lucy Paul opened an evening of comedy with pointed remarks about President Donald Trump’s immigration policies.

“Are there any immigrants left, or are they all gone now?” Paul, originally from Germany, quipped while addressing the audience during his Immigrant Jam show at a New York comedy venue on Friday night.

Trump has implemented a wide-ranging initiative targeting illegal immigration, often claiming a connection between immigration and crime, although studies do not support these assertions.

Zoran Mamdani, New York City’s elected mayor, criticized Trump’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), describing it as “a reckless organization that shows little respect for the law and even less for the people it’s meant to help.”

Despite this, the gathering of immigrant comedians at the New York show attempted to find a positive spin.

“We have a new mayor… who’s excited?” Paul asked, eliciting cheers from the crowd.

Paul immigrated from Germany at the age of eight and shared with AFP that he started the “immigrant jam” during Trump’s presidency.

“I felt sad and a bit frightened. I wasn’t even a U.S. citizen back then,” he explained.

“So we decided to create a space that celebrates immigrants, aiming to unite through humor rather than fear.”

Darker Themes

At Kaveto, a cozy spot on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, the audience included Colombians, Bulgarians, and Israelis who were enthusiastic on Friday night.

“We’re definitely in a time where the discourse is heating up. There’s a heightened sense of urgency—not only due to the rhetoric but because the government has taken drastic steps against immigrants,” Paul remarked.

“Perhaps the mood has darkened a bit.”

Aussie comedian Jenny Tian shared her experience: “Performing here required two years of paperwork to prove myself as an artist. I had to convince the government of my comedic abilities, and I finally made it into the country.”

Indian comic Lakshmi Koppalam connected with Paul through social media and became a popular participant in the “Immigrant Jam,” which updates its lineup nightly, though some performers return frequently.

“Much of my act already includes immigrant themes, so I didn’t have to create much new material,” she noted.

In the vibrant atmosphere of New York—now home to a Muslim mayor—comedians manage to draw enthusiastic crowds. Paul, however, hasn’t encountered any hecklers or animosity.

Martin Calles, originally from Argentina and a U.S. resident for thirty-five years, commented that American comedians often focus on personal anecdotes like living in their parents’ basements or substance use.

“It’s more like, ‘I passed my citizenship test.’” He added, “I can really relate to that.”

When a German audience member shared that he had just moved to the U.S., Paul responded, “Why? Did you want to see how people live without healthcare?”

This playful jab at American life didn’t come off as harsh, but it’s uncertain if this style of humor will resonate throughout the increasingly divided country.