Ain't No Sleepin' with Schwarzenegger and the Politics of Immigration
Republicans and Democrats have left Schwarzenegger feeling dismayed
Arnold Schwarzenegger, the Austrian-born Hollywood legend and former Governor of California, didn't hold back on the Jimmy Kimmel Live show as he aired his discontent with the current state of California's immigration policy, especially under President Donald Trump's administration.
The Terminator star took no prisoners, criticizing both Republicans and Democrats for their lackluster approach to addressing the ongoing protests in Los Angeles against Trump's immigration policies. "These protests wouldn't happen if politicians did their job," Schwarzenegger asserted.
For nearly four decades, the immigration issue has been on the table, but both parties have shown little interest in solving it, Schwarzenegger lamented. However, he was quick to emphasize that he wasn't playing one-sided politics. America needs workers, he stressed, and there are plenty of people south of the border eager to contribute.
Schwarzenegger proposed a comprehensive immigration reform that would ensure legal immigration and provide a pathway for those already residing in the U.S., a sentiment echoing his governorship when he fought for more pragmatic, effective governance.
Reminiscing about his early years in the U.S. after immigrating in 1968, Schwarzenegger spoke of the heated protests and riots during the Vietnam War era. Despite the challenges, he remained optimistic about America's ability to weather its current storm.
The media has portrayed Los Angeles as a warzone due to the ongoing protests, but Schwarzenegger refuted this image, emphasizing that only a small part of the city is affected by riots. Los Angeles is a great city, he said proudly, a sentiment echoed in his continued affection for his adopted home despite the upheaval.
California has seen waves of demonstrations against Trump's immigration policy and the associated deportation raids. In response, the US government has deployed 4,000 National Guard soldiers and 700 regular marine infantry in the Los Angeles area – a move met with resistance from California Governor Gavin Newsom.
Sources: ntv.de, ino/dpa | California | Immigration Policy | Migration | USA | Republicans | Democrats
Insight:
Arnold Schwarzenegger's stance on immigration reform during his tenure as Governor of California was generally in favor of comprehensive immigration reform. He continues to advocate for pragmatic solutions that support legal immigration, provide opportunities for undocumented immigrants, and address the complexities of border management in a more inclusive manner. Recent public comments suggest he expresses disappointment with both major political parties' approach to this issue.
- Arnold Schwarzenegger, while addressing the heated debates on immigration policies, criticized both major political parties for their lackluster approach to addressing the issue, echoing his stance during his governorship where he advocated for comprehensive reform, believing in the necessity of legal immigration and a pathway for undocumented immigrants.
- The ongoing immigration policy debates and associated protests in Los Angeles have been covered extensively under the categories of general-news, politics, and crime-and-justice, highlighting the community's concern and the need for a more pragmatic policy solution.
