Former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger called for immigrants to act responsibly and lawfully during an appearance Tuesday on ABC’s The View, urging both major political parties to pursue meaningful immigration reform.
“All of this is happening because we don’t have immigration reform,” Schwarzenegger said during the live broadcast.
“Democrats and Republicans have to come together and solve this issue if they really want to be public servants. If they want to be party servants, and be party hacks, and be tied to their ideology, then it won’t happen.”
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Schwarzenegger, a legal immigrant originally from Austria, emphasized the importance of following U.S. immigration laws and compared the responsibility of immigrants to that of guests in a host’s home.
“I just think the world of the great history that we have with immigrants in America,” Schwarzenegger said.
“But the key thing also is at the same time, that we’ve got to do things legal. That is the most important thing. You’ve got to do things legal, and those people that are doing illegal things in America, and they’re the foreigners, they are not smart.”
The former governor continued, “When you come to America, you’re a guest, and you have to behave like a guest, like when I go to someone’s house, and I’m a guest, then I will do everything I can, keep things clean and to make my bed and to do everything that is the right thing to do rather than committing a crime, or being abusive or something like that, so that doesn’t really work in this country.”
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Schwarzenegger also called on immigrants to find ways to give back to the United States, saying that contributing to society is a key responsibility for those who come to America seeking opportunity.
“You have a responsibility as an immigrant to give back to America and to pay back to America and go and do something for your community for no money whatsoever,” he said.
“Give something back to after-school programs, Special Olympics, or whatever it is, make this a better place.”
Everybody stop and watch this.
Arnold Schwarzenegger, a legal immigrant, successful actor, and former California Governor, just left The View STUNNED.
They attempted to get him to condemn ICE raids and what did he do?
He credited America for his success, promoted legal… pic.twitter.com/IxtQVcKo6D
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) June 17, 2025
Schwarzenegger’s remarks come as debate over immigration policy continues to intensify nationwide.
President Donald Trump has reinstated strict immigration enforcement measures, directing federal agencies to prioritize border security and law enforcement cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The Biden-Harris administration’s previous border policies drew sharp criticism from Republicans and law enforcement leaders who cited record levels of illegal crossings.
Congress has yet to pass comprehensive immigration legislation despite repeated calls from both sides of the aisle.
Lawmakers have remained divided on key issues including border security, asylum reform, and pathways to legal residency.
Schwarzenegger, who served as governor of California from 2003 to 2011, has frequently spoken about his immigrant background and support for legal immigration processes.
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