Joe Rogan Criticizes ICE Raids on Immigrant Workers: Voters Feel Betrayed

ICE Raids Controversy: Voters Expected Criminals, Not Landscapers

In a recent episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, Joe Rogan – who publicly endorsed Donald Trump ahead of the 2024 election – criticized Trump’s immigration policy, particularly the ICE raids targeting immigrant workers.

Rogan argued that American voters are feeling betrayed because they believed ICE raids would focus on violent criminals, such as gang members, rather than on immigrant workers at construction sites or Home Depot.

“People thought ICE would go after dangerous gang members. No one thought they would drag a landscaper out of Home Depot,” Rogan said.

ICE Raids on Immigrant Workers: Growing Negative Reactions

Rogan warned that the practice of arresting immigrants solely for crossing the border illegally, especially those who have been living and working honestly in the U.S., is eroding public trust in the government.

He emphasized:

“The backlash is not entirely because of foreign influence. It also stems from the fact that many people feel the government has gone too far. They see people being pulled out of schools, out of workplaces – people who are not a threat to anyone.”

In a prior episode, when speaking with Republican Representative Anna Paulina Luna, Rogan agreed that some of the protests against ICE might be manipulated by foreign powers like China. However, he stressed that it’s crucial not to overlook the genuine emotions of Americans who are disturbed by the images of ICE detaining immigrant workers.

The Dark Side of Illegal Labor and Corporate Profits

Rogan raised pointed questions about the role of corporations:

“How many companies are thriving on illegal labor? Who benefits from this system?”

He also expressed empathy for the perspective of an immigrant worker:

“If you’re just a landscaper from a Third World country and you hear you can get across and find work, what else is that guy supposed to do? He doesn’t have the money to hire a lawyer.”

Trump and Immigration: A Surprising Twist

In July, Trump proposed a more lenient policy: considering exceptions for millions of illegal workers in essential industries. While acknowledging this would anger “radical right-wing people,” he stated that more practical flexibility was needed in immigration policy.

Rogan, despite his previous support for Trump, showed no hesitation in criticizing immigration policies when they feel out of touch with the public:

“If we don’t distinguish between dangerous criminals and hard-working immigrants, it’s going to create a deep divide in society.”