THE IMMIGRANT WHO UNDERSTANDS AMERICA
A Christian Analysis of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Response on The View
THE IMMIGRANT WHO UNDERSTANDS AMERICA
A Christian Analysis of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Response on The View
THE QUESTION AND THE ANSWER:
On a recent segment of The View, co-host Joy Behar asked:
“If you are an immigrant—you, you’re an immigrant in this country—yeah—did you have a, a, a visceral reaction to what they’re doing, what ICE is doing when you see the videos of it?”
Arnold Schwarzenegger replied:
“Well, I tell you, you said that, the immigrant—I’m so proud and happy that I was embraced by the American people like that. I mean, imagine, I came over here at the age of 21 with absolutely nothing, and then to create a career like that. I mean, in no other country in the world could you do that. Every single thing—if it’s my bodybuilding career, if it’s my acting career, becoming governor, the beautiful family that I’ve created—all this is because of America.
So this is why I’m so, so happy to see firsthand that this is the greatest country in the world and this is the land of opportunity.
And I think because I’m such a proud American and a proud immigrant who came to America, I was asked to do, uh, on July 4th, a big speech—the keynote speech at Mount Vernon, where George Washington lived—to celebrate the 250th anniversary of America. They asked me because I’m an immigrant.
There will be 7,000 people there, and people will be sworn in and will become citizens that day. That’s great. It’s really a great, great celebration.
This is what it’s all about—to celebrate people becoming Americans and coming to America.
And I think the world of the great kind of history that they have with immigrants in America. But the key thing, also, at the same time: you’ve got to do things legal. That is the important thing. You’ve got to do things legal.
And those people who are doing illegal things in America and they’re foreigners—they are not smart. Because when you come to America, you’re a guest, and you have to behave like a guest.
When I go to someone’s house, then I would do everything I can to keep things clean and to make my bed and 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.
I think the important thing is: when you become an immigrant, to think about, okay, I go to America because I’m going to use America for the great opportunities that America has—in education, jobs, getting your family—all those kind of things.
Then I have to think about: okay, if I get all those things from America, then I have to give something back.
You have responsibility to give back to America and to pay back the America and to go and do something for your community for no money whatsoever.
Give something back—to afterschool programs, Special Olympics, or whatever—to make this country a better place.”
A CHRISTIAN RESPONSE:
Arnold’s answer, though secular and civic in tone, expresses a truth that harmonizes with biblical principle: gratitude demands obligation. A Christian cannot hear such words without being reminded of moral law and the pattern of reciprocity found throughout Scripture. Paul wrote in Romans 13:7, “Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.” Arnold came legally, benefited, and now seeks to give back. That is biblical.
Arnold does not equivocate. He draws a sharp moral distinction: legal immigration is honorable, illegal behavior is disgraceful. He likens an immigrant to a guest in another’s home—a plain metaphor, but one grounded in moral common sense. Proverbs 25:17 says, “Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour’s house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.” One who enters, disrespects, and defiles another’s dwelling is not a guest. He is an invader.
On The View, this stance is an anomaly. That show’s entire worldview tends to elevate emotional grievance above duty, legality, and moral order. They platform those who torch the American flag while demanding the privileges of its protection. They question law enforcement as though immigration laws are a form of injustice. In such a climate, Arnold’s response sounds almost biblical: grateful, firm, principled.
Arnold came to America with nothing. He obeyed the law. He worked. He contributed. And he sees himself as duty-bound to repay the country that gave him a chance. By contrast, many now cross illegally, reject American values, demand entitlements, and defy authority. They wave the banners of the nations they claim to be fleeing. They destroy American property while insisting they are owed its citizenship.
There is no compromise between these views. Romans 13:1–2 commands, “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God... Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God.” The Christian has no room to support unlawful behavior, even when clothed in the language of justice.
Illegal immigration is not immigration. It is rebellion against law. And rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft. When one enters unlawfully, remains unlawfully, works unlawfully, and protests violently, he does not behave as a guest. He behaves as a thief. Jesus said in John 10:1, “He that entereth not by the door... but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.”
Now the View, and many of its supporters, will protest. They will cry racism. They will cry oppression. But they are wrong. The issue is not race. The issue is righteousness. And righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people (Proverbs 14:34). Those who come to take advantage of a nation while scorning its laws are not patriots. They are parasites. That is not hatred. That is reality.
Arnold is right. When you are given a gift, you owe something in return. When you are shown kindness, you respond with order, respect, and moral duty. Luke 12:48 says, “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required.” God expects it. So should we.
So where do we go from here?
We go where righteousness leads. The government must uphold its duty (Romans 13:3–4). Christians must speak truth in love but without compromise. And immigrants who love this country must rise and speak with the same clarity Arnold did. Gratitude is godly. Obedience is godly. And when both are missing, no system—no matter how generous—can survive.