Diego Luna, who graced the stage as the guest host of Monday night's episode of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" in Jimmy Kimmel's absence, dedicated a poignant segment of his opening monologue to lambasting Donald Trump and his harsh immigration policies. With fervor in his voice, he embarked on a passionate discourse.
"Tonight, I wish to address a pressing matter that resonates deeply here in Los Angeles and across the vast landscapes of the United States," he began. "Given the immigration crisis and Trump's authoritarian stance that plagues our nation, it is no small feat for a Mexican to helm such a prestigious show. It's a monumental occasion, and I fervently hope not to tarnish it."
Luna then delved into the community he nurtured in L.A. after arriving in the U.S. at the tender age of 20, following the triumph of the 2001 film "Y tu mamá también." He shared intimate anecdotes from his years spent in the City of Angels.
"Those who uplifted me were predominantly individuals who had fled their homelands in search of a fresh start, or the offspring of immigrants who ventured here to toil and forge a fulfilling, joyful, and dignified existence far from their ancestral lands," the Mexican actor-director reminisced. "Such a massive exodus is unnatural, unless the land you're fleeing is gravely flawed. No one abandons their birthplace unless their very survival hinges on it. Nobody bids farewell to their past frivolously. Yet, all the individuals I encountered silently harbored gratitude towards this country—a nation that welcomed them with open arms."
Luna underscored how "fascinating and admirable" Los Angeles is "owing to the cultural fusion, fueled by its generosity and openness. It's a testament to people from diverse cultures and backgrounds who embraced one another and collectively constructed something extraordinary. This metropolis stands as a potent emblem of what's achievable when empathy takes precedence."
The "Andor" star continued, "I've never fully grasped how someone like Donald Trump ascended to such heights of power. His hate-filled rhetoric taking root in a country inherently welcoming perplexes me endlessly."
Luna emphasized that "countless individuals live in dread" and "feel persecuted" amidst the president's immigration policies. Since Trump's return to the White House earlier this year, his administration has prioritized cracking down on alleged immigration violations, intensifying ICE raids nationwide, including in L.A., sparking nationwide protests.
In response to these demonstrations, particularly in L.A., Trump deployed California's National Guard to the city. However, California Gov. Gavin Newsom contested his administration's "unlawful deployment of troops." Although a federal appeals court sided with Trump, ruling that he "likely" possessed the authority to activate the guard, Newsom's legal battle against Trump persists.
"This is deeply unjust, and let me explain why: every time this country has had to rebuild, immigrants have always stepped up to fill the void," Luna proclaimed in his opening monologue. "Earlier this year, when L.A. was ablaze, immigrant workers jeopardized their lives to extinguish the flames. They are the backbone of this country, nourishing it, educating its youth, caring for the elderly, toiling in construction and hospitality, managing kitchens. They're technicians, merchants, athletes, drivers, farmers."
"They contribute vast sums of taxes, irrespective of their paperwork status," he added. "In 2022, undocumented immigrants paid approximately $96.7 billion in taxes. Yet, the Trump administration seeks to keep this from you."
"Many lies circulate regarding immigrants, but I'm confident you possess numerous narratives that contradict them. Speak up, share them. It helps. Today, they must know they're not isolated," Luna implored. "These past weeks have been grim. Separating families is unacceptable and abnormal. Violence and terror are not condoned. Immigrants need to realize their struggle is yours too."
