WATCH: Anti-Trump Actor Gets Schooled By Bill Maher On Illegal Aliens

HBO host Bill Maher clashed with actor and progressive activist John Leguizamo in a fiery immigration debate, pushing back on open-border rhetoric that many believe helped sink former President Biden’s poll numbers.

The heated exchange aired as the two discussed the ongoing crisis at the southern border and America’s immigration policy under Biden. Leguizamo, a longtime Trump critic, insisted that America has “plenty of room” for more migrants, saying, “There’s plenty of room in America.”

“There’s no lack of room,” Maher acknowledged, “but it’s never about room. It’s about resources. Countries have to have a border… You can’t just be, I mean, they’ve done surveys—something like 200 million people around the world want to come to America.”

“Lots of countries, excuse me, are sh*tholes. And they would love to be here,” Maher added. When Leguizamo attempted to blame the U.S. for the conditions in many of those countries, Maher countered that while America has played a role, the differences in freedom, corruption, and poverty levels are stark.

“If you’re in a country where women don’t have rights, where you can’t dress how you want, where there’s extreme poverty or massive corruption—it makes sense why someone would want to come here,” Maher said. “It doesn’t mean you’re a bad person for wanting to come here. It means you were born in a shithole, and I get it.”

“Most Americans—middle-of-the-road, sensible people—say yes, we’re a welcoming country,” Maher said. “But there has to be some order to it. It just can’t be come one, come all.”

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He pointed to recent footage of border agents overwhelmed by the volume of migrants crossing. “That’s why Texas started busing them to places like New York,” Maher said. “And when they did, even Governor Hochul and Mayor Adams were like, ‘We can’t take all these people.’”

The two did find common ground in acknowledging the economic importance of migrant labor. But Maher left no doubt that his stance favors secure borders, measured reform, and realism over slogans.

Leguizamo is a Colombian-American actor, comedian, writer, and activist known for his dynamic performances across film, television, and theater. Born in Bogotá and raised in Queens, New York, he broke into entertainment through stand-up comedy and one-man stage shows.

Leguizamo has been a vocal and consistent critic of President Trump. He has publicly denounced his policies—especially on immigration—and frequently accuses the former president of fueling racism. During Trump’s presidency, Leguizamo called him “a danger to democracy” and “the most corrupt president in history,” often using his platform to urge Latinos and other minority groups to vote against him.

In multiple interviews and appearances—including guest-hosting The Daily Show—Leguizamo has mocked Trump and warned about the lasting impact of his leadership.

During his presidency, Joe Biden faced intense criticism over his handling of the southern border, with record-high illegal crossings, overwhelmed border facilities, and strained resources in major cities. His decision to reverse Trump-era policies like “Remain in Mexico” and halt the border wall was seen by many as a signal for mass migration.

Border towns and sanctuary cities have voiced frustration as the migrant surge continues to burden housing, schools, and public services.