During a recent appearance on The View, actor and former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger discussed his identity as a proud American and immigrant. Co-hosts Whoopi Goldberg and Sunny Hostin raised concerns when Schwarzenegger addressed the issue of immigrants engaging in illegal activities.
Schwarzenegger urged immigrants to contribute to the betterment of the United States and to give back to the country where he has established a life since coming to America at 21 years old.
Emphasizing the importance of following the legal process, Schwarzenegger expressed admiration for the rich history of immigration in America. He highlighted the need for immigrants to abide by the laws and regulations of the country, emphasizing the significance of behaving appropriately as guests in the country. Schwarzenegger asserted that engaging in illegal activities or misconduct is contrary to the values of being a responsible guest in the United States.
Goldberg was the first to gently push back on Schwarzenegger’s point and remind him, “Arnold, don’t forget 90% of the people who come here are trying to do the right thing.”
Hostin also interjected to add that immigrants are “less likely to commit crimes to commit crimes in this country than actually American-born citizens.”
Goldberg continued addressing the difficulties immigrants are currently facing under the Trump administration amidst the ICE raids occurring across the country.
“The thing that’s happening right now is people are getting snatched who shouldn’t be snatched out of the country, people who have visas people who have all those things,” Goldberg said. “We want all the right people, we don’t want people who are doing the bad stuff.”
Schwarzenegger spent most of his time on The View reflecting on his decades-long acting career.
“If it’s my body building career, if it’s my acting career, becoming governor, the beautiful family that I’ve created, all of this is because of America,” he said. “So this is why I’m so so happy to see firsthand that this is the greatest country in the world and this is the land of opportunity.”
The View airs on weekdays at 11/10c on ABC.
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