Last Week Tonight Highlights Trump’s Immigration Policies and Fearmongering

NEW YORK, NY — Last Week Tonight host John Oliver criticized former President Donald Trump‘s immigration policies during a segment aired Sunday evening. Oliver highlighted what he described as the chilling tactics of the Trump administration regarding deportations, including a controversial video posted to the White House’s social media.

In the segment, Oliver pointed to a video featuring shackled individuals being led onto a plane, set to the song “Closing Time” by Semisonic. He denounced the video’s tone, emphasizing that deportation is a serious matter and should not be trivialized with a soundtrack. Oliver remarked, “The right song choice would be no song at all,” as the video was a disturbing blend of visuals and music.

Oliver further emphasized the administration’s rhetoric about prioritizing the deportation of violent criminals, noting a CBS 60 Minutes report that found over 75% of a group of 238 migrants lacked criminal records. He mentioned a specific case where a man was sent to a Salvadoran prison due to an “administrative error,” which contradicted the claims made by the administration.

During the segment, Oliver criticized Trump’s attempts to substantiate his claims about deported individuals, including the case of Ábrego García. Trump alleged that García’s tattoos indicated gang affiliation with MS-13, while Oliver ridiculed the use of a superimposed image to bolster this false narrative. “Terry, this is hell right now,” Oliver said, addressing ABC News correspondent Terry Moran, expressing disbelief at Trump’s claims.

Oliver cautioned that the discussion of immigration policies should not be taken lightly, particularly when false information is used to justify actions against vulnerable populations. Highlighting another example, he discussed Suguru Onda, a PhD student who had his legal status revoked based on minor offenses, underscoring the absurdity of current immigration enforcement.

Oliver characterized the administration’s actions as arbitrary and discriminatory. He pointed out that deportations are not only happening to those categorized as criminals but also to individuals facing serious medical issues.

As he concluded the segment, Oliver called on viewers to hold elected officials accountable and to recognize the consequences of government overreach. Invoking public opinion’s power, he urged people to advocate for the human rights of all individuals regardless of immigration status, stating, “All people are worthy of safety, protection and due process.”