Schwarzenegger Defends Immigration on “The View”

Arnold Schwarzenegger recently took a stand against Joy Behar on “The View” when she attempted to steer the conversation toward an anti-immigration sentiment. Instead, he redirected the discussion to express his admiration for the United States and emphasized how immigrants often see themselves as guests in the country.

During his appearance, he shared his perspective, pointing out that while some people may break the law, the majority who come to America do so legitimately. He said, “And those who do illegal things in America, they’re foreigners. When you come to America, you’re a guest, and you have to act like a guest.” This sentiment came in response to Behar’s loaded questions about immigration enforcement and the negative perceptions surrounding it.

Schwarzenegger reflected on his journey as an immigrant, discussing how proud he was to become a U.S. citizen. “I’m so proud and pleased to be accepted by such Americans,” he said, highlighting his success in Hollywood as an example of American opportunity. He moved from Austria to the United States in 1968 and became a citizen in 1983, attributing much of his success to the opportunities he found here.

He further elaborated, expressing gratitude towards America, stating, “This is the greatest country in the world and a place where opportunities exist.” Schwarzenegger labeled himself a “proud American” and indicated that being an immigrant was a significant part of his identity.

Throughout the discussion, he reiterated that while the U.S. has a rich history of immigration, it’s vital for those seeking opportunities to come legally. “But the important thing is, at the same time, you have to do something legitimate,” he insisted, pointing out that behaving responsibly is key for new arrivals.

Schwarzenegger drew parallels, comparing being a guest in someone’s home to the way immigrants should approach life in America. “Like when I go to someone’s house, I do everything I can to keep things clean, make a bed, do the right thing,” he noted, clearly emphasizing the need for respect towards the country and its laws.

Co-host Sunny Hostin seemed to disagree with some of his points, trying to interject multiple times, but Schwarzenegger stayed focused on his message about the responsibilities of legal immigrants. He added that they should contribute positively to the community and help make the U.S. better.

After Schwarzenegger’s remarks, Whoopi Goldberg interjected to remind him that most people coming to the U.S. are trying to do the right thing. She led the conversation toward ongoing issues with immigration enforcement, highlighting cases where individuals with visas have been wrongfully detained.

In the unfolding conversation, Hostin mentioned statistics that immigrants are actually less likely to commit crimes compared to citizens born in the U.S., bringing attention back to the protests against immigration enforcement. This led to a discussion about how the National Guard has been used in immigration matters, a point Schwarzenegger addressed by stating that collaboration between state and federal authorities during such events is crucial.

In all, Schwarzenegger’s passionate defense of immigrants underscored a complex and often contentious discourse about immigration in America, revealing differing viewpoints on how best to balance enforcement with empathy and opportunity.