Actor and former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger shared his sentiments about being a “proud American and proud immigrant” during a recent appearance on The View. However, co-hosts Whoopi Goldberg and Sunny Hostin expressed some disagreement when he discussed the topic of immigrants’ “illegal” activities.
Reflecting on his own journey since arriving in the United States at the age of 21, Schwarzenegger encouraged immigrants to “make this country a better place” and “give back to America.”
“I truly value the rich history we have with immigrants. But we must also acknowledge the importance of doing things legally. Those engaging in illegal activities in America are not wise,” he remarked. “When you come to America, you’re guests, and you should act accordingly… This is the correct approach rather than committing crimes or engaging in abusive behaviors. Such actions do not succeed in this country.”
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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