Joe Rogan calls for change on ‘horrific’ treatment of illegal immigrants: ‘Can’t be the only way’
Joe Rogan on Trump's immigration crackdown: When you're arresting people in front of their kids... people that have been here for 20 years. Everybody who has a heart can't get along with that... no criminal record, they worked the entire time, they paid taxes. Find them a pathway… pic.twitter.com/g390MWcqxX
— Blue Georgia (@BlueATLGeorgia) October 9, 2025
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Joe Rogan said he was shocked by how immigrants are treated in the country. He called the places where people are held “horrific” and spoke out against arresting people in front of their children.
On his podcast, Rogan criticized Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), saying that people who have lived in the US for many years and helped society should not be treated this way.
Joe Rogan criticizes ICE for ‘horrific’ deportation practices
On the October 9 episode of 'The Joe Rogan Experience', Rogan was joined by comedian Duncan Trussell. The pair began to discuss the harsh new immigration measures enforced by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
Since Trump became president, there have been constant news stories about people who have lived in the US for many years being deported. Addressing that matter, he said, “When you’re just arresting people in front of their kids, and just, normal, regular people who have been here for 20 years. That everybody who has a heart can’t get along with that. Everybody who has a heart sees that and goes, that can’t be right. That can’t be the only way to do this."
He emphasized that long-term residents who have contributed to the US should not face harsh deportation. “But when people have been here for 20 years, like, come on, man. That’s crazy. If they’ve been a productive member of society for 20 years, no criminal record, they worked the entire time, they paid taxes. Find them a pathway to citizenship,” he added.
“That can’t be the only way to do this,” he said, stressing again that people who have worked, paid taxes, and contributed to society shouldn’t be deported.
He continued, “But if you’ve been here for 25 years, you have a family, your kids go to school here, you speak the language, you’re just illegal, but you’re a contributing member to the community that up until now has been protected. Crazy to ask lower-income and middle-income people who are getting by, and then all of a sudden you’re about to ship them to a country where they’ve never been, they haven’t been since they were 4."
“If you’re doing this stuff publicly, throwing women to the ground, handcuffing people, just for existing on the wrong side of the dirt, not a criminal, the only crime they ever committed was coming over here as a kid,” Rogan said.
Overview of ICE deportation and custody figures
As of August 2025, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reported significant activity in immigration enforcement. According to CNN, nearly 200,000 individuals had been deported since President Trump's return to office in January 2025.
ICE officials also stated that between January 20 and March 10, 2025, there were 32,809 arrests, as per Homeland Security. During this period, the number of individuals in ICE custody increased from over 41,000 to 46,269 by mid-March, as per Tracreport.
These figures highlight the administration's intensified efforts in immigration enforcement. However, they have also sparked debate regarding the methods and implications of such actions. ICE officials stepped up efforts to target undocumented immigrants and those who are actively working in the country.
