Public Figures Voice Alarm Over Immigrants' 'Hunted' Feeling Amidst Increased ICE Enforcement

Monica Lewinsky and John Oliver recently expressed profound anxiety regarding the experiences of immigrants, particularly the feeling of being "hunted" by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The discussion unfolded during an episode of Lewinsky's podcast, "Reclaiming with Monica Lewinsky," where both public figures shared their concerns about the impact of intensified immigration policies. Their comments underscore a growing sentiment of unease among advocates and those personally affected by current enforcement measures.

John Oliver, the British-born host of HBO's "Last Week Tonight" and a naturalized U.S. citizen since 2019, revealed that the current climate has rekindled anxieties he thought he had overcome. He explained that despite his citizenship, the ongoing news of mass deportations and heightened immigration enforcement under the Trump administration has made his past immigration-related stress resurface. Oliver emphasized that the immigration experience is "tough even if you have the best version of it."

Lewinsky, known for her past experience with intense public scrutiny, drew a parallel between the feeling of being pursued by the media and the current plight of immigrants. "Just of feeling hunted, of feeling unsafe, of something can happen any moment," she stated, empathizing with immigrants facing the crisis. She acknowledged, however, that the consequences for immigrants are "nowhere near what they're suffering" compared to her own past experiences.

The conversation comes amidst a period of increased ICE activity and deportations, which has drawn both support and criticism. A White House spokesperson, Abigail Jackson, responded to Oliver's concerns by stating, "President Trump is fulfilling his campaign promise to deport criminal illegal aliens. John Oliver should stop stoking fears for law-abiding legal immigrants." The exchange highlights the deeply divided perspectives on immigration enforcement in the United States.