SNL Targets ICE in Recent Weekend Update

“Saturday Night Live” (SNL) recently featured jokes about Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during its “Weekend Update” segment, particularly following a mass shooting in Minneapolis. This comes after the show cut a previous segment on ICE last week.

During the update, co-anchor Michael Che addressed comments made by Vice President J.D. Vance, who criticized protesters confronting ICE officers. Che remarked that, perhaps instead of confronting authorities, those involved should consider writing op-eds or expressing their views on social media, akin to what some noted academics did during the January 6th Capitol incident.

He acknowledged the humanity of ICE agents, suggesting they have their own responsibilities, but questioned, “At what point do you reflect on your actions—like pepper spraying an elderly woman or shooting a nurse?”

In the previous week, SNL had anticipated airing a politically charged skit featuring new cast member Tommy Brennan, who grew up in St. Paul. However, this four-minute segment was cut just before it went live, which isn’t unusual for the show. Producer Lorne Michaels often decides to remove sketches due to timing issues.

The omitted monologue was later shared on SNL’s official YouTube channel, where the show frequently posts material that didn’t make it to air.

Brennan, who voiced discontent with ICE operations in his home state, humorously included footage of ICE agents slipping on ice, which drew laughter from the audience. He remarked on the delight expressed by Minnesotans in reaction to this incident, likening it to a child meeting a beloved character for the first time.

He added, slightly ironically, “Just to be clear, I don’t revel in the suffering of others. If I did, I would join ICE.” Shifting gears, he emphasized that Minneapolis is a vibrant city of immigrants and reminisced about playing on an all-immigrant soccer team, humorously suggesting that capturing them isn’t exactly straightforward.