Reuters
Sports commentator Stephen A. Smith weighed in on the national immigration debate this week, questioning what he described as shifting political attitudes toward U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
On Joe Rogan’s Podcast, Smith said:
Stephen A. Smith: "How come it was okay to celebrate ICE under Obama, networks even rode along showing their ‘marvelous work’ but now with Trump it’s suddenly evil and ICE needs to be banned?"pic.twitter.com/yDCi0TCW3P
— Joe Rogan Podcast News (@joeroganhq) February 26, 2026
The remark quickly sparked debate online, drawing responses from both supporters and critics of current federal immigration enforcement policies.
A Broader Political Debate
ICE was established in 2003 under President George W. Bush, but enforcement operations expanded significantly during multiple administrations, including under Barack Obama and Donald Trump.
Supporters of Smith’s argument contend that immigration enforcement policies under Obama included record deportation numbers, yet faced less widespread cultural backlash than similar or expanded actions under Trump.
Critics argue that the scope, tone, and tactics of enforcement under different administrations vary significantly — and that public reaction reflects those differences.
Social Media Reaction
Smith’s post generated thousands of comments within hours, with users debating:
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Whether ICE enforcement materially changed between administrations
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The role of political rhetoric in shaping public opinion
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Broader concerns over detention conditions and deportation policies
Smith, known primarily for his sports commentary, has increasingly weighed in on political and cultural issues in recent years.
As immigration continues to dominate headlines nationwide, his comment adds another prominent voice to an already heated national conversation.
