Fox host Jesse Watters is not one to beat around the bush. He calls it like he sees it.
That’s why the entire network gasped when Watters asked his co-host this unanswerable question.
Fox News Debate On Immigration Goes Sideways
The Trump administration’s aggressive push to deport illegal immigrants has ignited fierce controversy, with protests and riots erupting across the United States, particularly in Los Angeles. Since January 20, 2025, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has deported 139,000 illegal immigrants, a figure that has fueled both support and outrage. The policy, rooted in a campaign promise to prioritize national security and law enforcement, has exposed deep divisions over immigration enforcement, with critics arguing it casts too wide a net and supporters insisting it upholds the rule of law.
On Fox News’ The Five, a heated exchange between co-hosts Jessica Tarlov and Jesse Watters encapsulated the national debate. Tarlov, a Democrat strategist, challenged the administration’s claim that it targets only criminal illegal immigrants. “Brian said ‘Well, this is what they were sent there to do, get the people out with criminal records.’ [Exactly] 70% of people who have been taken into custody have not been convicted of anything. That is directly flying in opposition of what they said that they were going to do,” Tarlov argued, citing data that suggests many deportees lack criminal convictions.
Watters, a staunch defender of the administration’s policies, countered with a blunt defense of enforcement. “All right, well, Jessica, when you break into the country, you’re gonna get kicked out,” he said. The exchange grew personal when Tarlov quipped, “Who’s gonna do your manicure, Jesse?”—a jab implying that deportations could disrupt industries reliant on immigrant labor. Watters, denying he gets manicures, retorted, “I cut them very well. I mean, is that bad? You want me to come in here with fangs?” The banter, while light, revealed the deeper tensions surrounding the economic and social impacts of mass deportations.
ICE data released on April 29, provides context for the administration’s focus. Of the illegal immigrants arrested, criminal records include “convictions or charges for 9,639 assaults, 6,398 DWIs or DUIs and 1,479 weapon offenses.” Supporters of the policy argue these figures justify the crackdown, emphasizing the need to remove individuals who pose a threat to public safety. Critics, however, point out that the inclusion of unconvicted individuals raises questions about due process and fairness.
Los Angeles has become a flashpoint in the controversy. Over Friday and Saturday, nearly 1,000 people protested in the city following ICE raids, with demonstrations escalating into riots. The destruction prompted President Donald Trump to deploy the National Guard and 700 Marines to California, a move that has intensified friction with state leaders. A curfew was enforced in downtown Los Angeles on Tuesday to quell the unrest, but the city remains on edge.
California Democrats, including Reps. Nancy Pelosi and Maxine Waters, Gov. Gavin Newsom, and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, have sought to minimize the reported chaos. Their efforts to downplay the riots have drawn criticism from administration supporters, who argue that local leaders are undermining federal authority. The clash between state and federal priorities emphasizes the challenges of implementing large-scale immigration enforcement in liberal strongholds.
The administration maintains that its actions align with voter expectations to secure the border and prioritize law-abiding citizens. Watters echoed this sentiment, suggesting that those who disagree should “talk to Congress” to change immigration laws. The call for legislative reform highlights the limitations of executive action, as well as the polarized state of immigration policy debates.
Tarlov’s critique on The Five extended to public sentiment, claiming that “the American public no longer supports the mass deportations.” Her assertion, however, is contested by those who point to the 2024 election results as evidence of a mandate for stricter enforcement. The Trump administration’s decisive actions reflect a belief that illegal immigration undermines national sovereignty, a view that resonates with a significant portion of its base.
The Los Angeles riots are only one example of the nationwide unrest sparked by the deportations. Protests have erupted in multiple cities, with activists decrying what they see as heavy-handed tactics. The administration, undeterred, continues to frame its policy as a necessary response to years of lax enforcement under previous administrations.
The human cost of the deportations remains a point of contention. Tarlov’s stark warning that “thousands have been deported! People are in foreign gulags without criminal records” highlights concerns about families being separated and individuals facing uncertain fates. Supporters counter that illegal entry inherently carries consequences, and prioritizing deportations of criminals is a step toward restoring order.
The economic argument, as Tarlov’s manicure comment suggested, also looms large. Industries such as agriculture, construction, and hospitality have long relied on undocumented labor. Critics of mass deportations warn of potential disruptions to these sectors, while proponents argue that legal workers can fill the gaps, potentially boosting wages for American citizens.
The administration’s supporters view this as a necessary stand against sanctuary policies that, in their view, enable illegal immigration. Opponents, however, see it as an overreach that risks escalating tensions further. The Trump administration’s policies have brought immigration enforcement to the forefront of national discourse, no doubt, forcing Americans to pick a side of the debate.
Public Opinion on Immigration
A Rasmussen Reports poll from May 2025 found that 62% of likely U.S. voters support deporting illegal immigrants with criminal records, though only 41% favor mass deportations of all undocumented individuals. The same poll noted that 53% believe border security is a top priority, reflecting significant public concern about illegal immigration (Rasmussen Reports, May 2025).
A Pew Research Center survey conducted in March 2025 revealed a split in attitudes, with 47% of Americans saying illegal immigration has a negative impact on the economy, while 35% see it as neutral or positive. The survey also indicated that 56% of respondents support stronger enforcement measures (Pew Research Center, March 2025).
A Gallup poll from April 2025 showed that 78% of Republicans support the Trump administration’s deportation efforts, compared to just 19% of Democrats. Independents are more evenly split, with 46% favoring stricter enforcement. The data demonstrates a public grappling with competing priorities of security and rule of law versus humanitarian concerns. (Gallup, April 2025)
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