“Behave Like a Guest”: Schwarzenegger Sparks Backlash with Immigration Comments on The View

Arnold Schwarzenegger is no stranger to controversy. But during a recent appearance on The View, the former California governor and Hollywood action icon ignited fresh debate after his remarks on immigration drew both praise and criticism from viewers.

The 77-year-old actor, promoting the latest season of his Netflix series FUBAR, was invited onto the daytime talk show to discuss his career and political perspectives. But the conversation quickly veered into more contentious territory, as Schwarzenegger weighed in on recent immigration enforcement efforts in Los Angeles and shared personal reflections from his own journey to America.

From Action Star to Political Commentator

As demonstrations erupted in Los Angeles last week over the deployment of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers by President Donald Trump, The View hosts turned to Schwarzenegger—himself an immigrant and a former Republican governor—for insight.

Co-host Joy Behar, pointing to the controversial images of ICE rounding up immigrants, asked Schwarzenegger if he had a “visceral reaction” to the enforcement footage, especially given his immigrant background. Schwarzenegger immigrated from Austria to the United States in 1968 at the age of 21, speaking little English and possessing little more than a dream of bodybuilding and Hollywood fame.

His answer was heartfelt—at first.

“Imagine, I came over here at the age of 21 with absolutely nothing,” he began. “And then to create a career like that… I mean, in no other country in the world can you do that.”

Schwarzenegger credited America for everything from his bodybuilding success to his rise in Hollywood and eventually politics. “All of this is because of America,” he said. “This is why I’m so, so happy to say firsthand that this is the greatest country in the world and the land of opportunity.”

“You’re a Guest”

But it was what he said next that stirred backlash.

“You got to do things legal,” Schwarzenegger stated, adding, “Those people that are doing illegal things in America, and the foreigners, they are not smart. Because when you come to America, you’re a guest. And you have to behave like a guest.”

Those final words—“you’re a guest”—were enough to ignite a wave of criticism online. Some viewers accused Schwarzenegger of generalizing immigrants and painting undocumented individuals with too broad a brush. Critics argued the phrase diminished the contributions of millions of immigrants who have long called the U.S. home.

Social media exploded with reactions. “I’m not a guest—I am American,” wrote one user. “We built this country. We clean your houses. We raise your children. We fight in your wars.” Others defended Schwarzenegger, saying his comments were rooted in respect and personal experience rather than malice.

Whoopi Goldberg Pushes Back

Co-host Whoopi Goldberg was quick to challenge Schwarzenegger’s generalization. Interrupting, she reminded the audience—and Schwarzenegger—that most immigrants are doing the right thing.

“Don’t forget, there’s… 90 percent of the people who come here are trying to do the right thing,” Goldberg said. “And a lot of what’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.”

Schwarzenegger nodded, clarifying that his “guest” analogy was meant to reflect respect, not subservience. He likened it to visiting a friend’s home—where, he said, “I will do everything I can to keep things clean, make my bed, and to do everything that is the right thing to do, rather than committing a crime or being abusive.”

“Give Something Back”

Expanding on his vision of the immigrant experience, Schwarzenegger stressed the importance of gratitude and giving back to the country that provided him opportunity. “If I get all of those things from America, then I have to give something back,” he said. “You have a responsibility as an immigrant to give back to America… Do something for your community for no money whatsoever.”

He encouraged volunteerism, participation in after-school programs, and supporting organizations like the Special Olympics—something he’s long been involved in.

A Message That Divides

While some appreciated Schwarzenegger’s emphasis on civic responsibility and legal immigration, others said his remarks ignored the complexity of immigration pathways, many of which involve long wait times, bureaucratic hurdles, and systemic inequities.

“To reduce people’s existence to whether they ‘behaved like a guest’ is insulting,” said one immigration advocate on X (formerly Twitter). “Many immigrants are citizens, workers, taxpayers, and neighbors—not guests.”

Still, others lauded the actor’s straightforward message. “He’s right,” one user commented. “You can’t break into a house and demand the same rights as the people who live there.”

The Bigger Debate

The exchange highlights a growing tension in American discourse: how to balance enforcement with empathy, opportunity with accountability. Schwarzenegger’s comments, while coming from a place of personal reflection, reopened deep wounds in a nation already polarized over immigration policy.

Even Schwarzenegger acknowledged the complexity of the issue, stating: “Democrats and Republicans have to come together and solve [immigration reform] if they really want to be public servants.”

Whether his words help or hurt that cause remains to be seen.