WATCH: John Oliver tackles the politics of immigration reform

John Oliver talks immigration — (Image credit: Daily Show)

John Oliver is an immigrant — a "legal" one: He has permanent residency status — so of course he has views on the comprehensive immigration reform package wending its way through Congress. And, as summer host of The Daily Show, he gets a nice platform to share his views with us. (Spoiler: He's in favor.)

Oliver starts by pointing out that some Republicans are in favor of immigration reform, largely because, as articulated by Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), the GOP needs to win over Latino voters or perish. Unfortunately (or, fortunately, depending on your tastes), Oliver used this occasion to once more break out his South Carolina accent.

Article continues below

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

After walking through (and mocking) various ways some Senate Republicans are trying to sink the bill, Oliver says that it might very well have enough momentum to pass. Riffing off the old Schoolhouse Rock cartoon on how a bill becomes a law (watch below), Oliver maps out the various obstacles the legislation will have to overcome to make it out of the Senate. The final obstacle to landing on President Obama's desk might prove too high, though, Oliver laments: The House GOP's "1,000-foot high border fence built out of ignorance and spite."

It's pretty clear by this point that Oliver isn't impressed by the level of debate in Washington on immigration reform. But in the wildcard segment, he finds one place in America where the immigration discussion is alive and active, and surprisingly cogent: WWE pro wrestling. The WWE debate even gets personal for Oliver, and he brings in a little muscle to properly taunt his new WWE nemesis. Watch:

Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.