Arnold Schwarzenegger’s appearance on The View ignited a live-TV showdown over immigration, as the former California governor slammed current U.S. policies as “stupid,” sparking fierce pushback from co-hosts Whoopi Goldberg and Sunny Hostin.
At a Glance
- Schwarzenegger called U.S. immigration policy “stupid” during a live taping of The View
- Over 2.8 million migrants have crossed the southern U.S. border this year
- He urged legal work visas for asylum seekers as a practical reform step
- Goldberg and Hostin rebutted with data on immigrant crime rates and deportation abuses
“Stupid” Policies, Sharp Reactions
Appearing on The View, Schwarzenegger didn’t mince words, branding the current U.S. immigration framework “stupid” and calling for immediate reforms to deter illegal border crossings. He cited the staggering statistic of more than 2.8 million border entries in 2025, warning that the system incentivizes chaos over clarity. “We’ve got to do things legal. That is the important thing,” he stressed, while advocating for streamlined visas to help asylum seekers work and contribute legally.
Watch a report: Schwarzenegger Slams U.S. Immigration on The View.
He also lamented the lack of bipartisan action, stating that “Democrats and Republicans have to come together to solve this issue if they really want to be public servants.” The critique echoed concerns that political posturing, not public service, has dominated the national conversation.
Pushback on Crime Claims
Co-host Sunny Hostin countered Schwarzenegger’s rhetoric by asserting that “immigrants are statistically less likely to commit crimes than native-born citizens.” Whoopi Goldberg added, “90% of the people who come here are trying to do the right thing,” warning against demonizing lawful residents swept up in broader deportation policies.
Schwarzenegger’s metaphor—“When I go to someone’s house and I’m a guest, I’ll do everything I can to keep things clean… rather than committing a crime”—provoked a visibly tense moment on-air, with Goldberg challenging his framing of undocumented immigrants as inherently unlawful.
From ICE Raids to Legal Solutions
Schwarzenegger’s policy vision contrasts sharply with past Trump-era immigration enforcement. Referencing recent deportations of visa-holding migrants, he emphasized that legal mechanisms—not sweeps or raids—should drive immigration strategy. “Leadership means working together,” he insisted, calling for coordination between federal, state, and local governments.
Watch a report: Arnold Debates Hostin & Goldberg on The View.
The heated exchange spotlights the deep divisions in public discourse around immigration—and the difficulty of separating policy from politics in a polarized America. Whether Schwarzenegger’s comments will influence reform efforts or simply add to the noise remains to be seen. But one thing’s clear: the immigration debate just got a high-profile jolt.
