Charlie Kirk Explains the Difference Between Legal Immigration and Border Jumping to Cameroonian Immigrant
Enjoying this? Share it with someone who needs to see it.
Up Next
Charlie Kirk Debates Legal Mexican Immigrant Claudio on Deportation Policy and Breaking Immigration Laws
9:12
Charlie Kirk Explains Three Intelligent Reasons Why The Wall Must Be Built To Conservative Struggling With Liberal Friends
2:26
Candace Owens: Why Building the Wall Is About More Than Just Illegal Immigration and Border Security
3:17
Charlie Kirk Explains the Difference Between Legal Immigration and Border Jumping to Cameroonian Immigrant
A Cameroonian immigrant challenges Charlie Kirk on his use of the term "illegals" and questions whether common ground exists between conservatives and immigrants. Kirk's response draws a sharp distinction between legal immigrants who wait in line and those who cross the border illegally. He argues that every person who enters unlawfully takes the place of someone like the questioner, a legal immigrant from Cameroon who followed the rules. Kirk emphasizes that the conservative movement welcomes legal immigrants and that the media misrepresents opposition to illegal immigration as anti-immigration sentiment. The exchange highlights the ongoing debate about immigration terminology, policy, and the path to making America stronger through lawful immigration.
A Cameroonian Immigrant Challenges Charlie Kirk on Immigration Language
During a public event, a Cameroonian immigrant stood up to challenge Charlie Kirk on his use of immigration terminology and to question whether conservatives and immigrants can find common ground. The questioner began by acknowledging America's benevolence as an immigrant who has been embraced by the country, but took issue with Kirk referring to "18 million illegals" in a previous statement.
The immigrant made a pointed distinction, asserting that while the process of entering the country illegally may be unlawful, the humanity of individuals themselves cannot be illegal. "I'm an immigrant, not an illegal, and I do not agree that anybody should be called an illegal just because they may have come into the country illegally," the questioner stated. "The process itself could be illegal, but I disagree that the human themselves is illegal."
The questioner then asked whether Kirk believes any common ground exists between conservatives and immigrants, or between conservatives and liberals, noting that many from both groups are trying to make America great.
Kirk Draws a Sharp Line Between Legal and Illegal Immigration
Kirk thanked the questioner for his courage and immediately drew a distinction between legal immigrants who follow the process and those who enter illegally. He pointed out that the Cameroonian immigrant could not have simply hopped across the southern border—he had to apply, wait in line, and meet certain requirements. If he had committed a crime in Cameroon or had a disease, America would have pulled his visa or denied him entry.
"I don't think it's fair that someone from Mexico is able to hop across the border when you had to wait in line in Cameroon," Kirk argued. He explained that conservatives are not calling people illegal—they're describing the status of being illegally present in the country. "You are a legal immigrant. The conservative movement, everyone in this room, wants millions of more people like you in our country."
Every Illegal Entry Blocks a Legal Immigrant
Kirk made the case that illegal immigration directly impacts legal immigration opportunities. "What bothers me is that for every person that border hops and border jumps, we can't take another legal immigrant from Cameroon," he said. He suggested that the questioner likely has friends or family back in Cameroon who want to come to America, but for every person who enters illegally from Honduras, El Salvador, or Mexico due to their proximity, it prevents legal immigration from countries like Cameroon.
This framing positioned illegal immigration not just as a rule-breaking issue, but as one that disadvantages legal immigrants who followed the proper process.
Conservatives Are Not Anti-Immigration, They're Anti-Line-Cutting
Kirk addressed what he sees as a fundamental misrepresentation in the media narrative. "Here's the problem in the narrative: people that wear this hat get misrepresented as being anti-immigration. We're not. We're anti-line-cutting and border jumping, and you are not that because you had to wait in line."
He expressed his desire for the questioner to become a U.S. citizen, vote, stay in the country for the rest of his life, and have children and grandchildren. "That's what makes this country so beautiful and so unique," Kirk said. He encouraged the questioner to look past the media narrative and recognize the difference between people who don't obey the laws and his own experience as a legal immigrant.
Kirk concluded by telling the Cameroonian immigrant, "You're the best part of this country is people like you," receiving applause from the audience.
