John Oliver Traces the Grim Origins of Family Separation (Video)
The "Last Week Tonight" host argues the Trump administration's zero-tolerance policy is the "logical result of a general hard-right turn toward demonizing immigrants for political advantage."
In the latest episode of “Last Week Tonight,” host John Oliver argues the Trump administration’s zero-tolerance policy is the “logical result of a general hard-right turn toward demonizing immigrants for political advantage.” After outlining the devastating mess the immigration policy has imposed on immigrant families, many of whom are seeking asylum in the U.S., the comedian comes to a clear-cut reading of what’s behind the crisis at hand.
Yes—you guessed it, it’s racism. Watch Oliver’s full monologue on family separation in the video player above.
— Posted by Natasha Hakimi Zapata
Rock Solid JournalismIn 2026, amid chaos and the nonstop flurry of headlines, Truthdig remains independent, fact-based and focused on exposing what power tries to hide.
Support Independent Journalism.
Social Justice
In Springfield, a city transformed by Haitian immigrants, Casey Rollins says she feels like the “town crier” warning of a looming family separation crisis.
Editorial Cartoons
A new report from Physicians for Human Rights lays out the traumatic effects of child separation.
Family separation was supposed to have ended in 2018.
The chaos of reuniting them with their parents added to their fears, feelings of abandonment and post-traumatic stress, watchdog group says.