Diego Luna’s guest-hosting of Jimmy Kimmel Live brought a powerful focus on the importance of immigrants in America, especially in light of current political climates.
Diego Luna’s Impactful Monologue on Immigration
Diego Luna guest-hosted Jimmy Kimmel Live on Monday night, delivering a powerful monologue highlighting the significance of immigrants amid Donald Trump’s authoritarian policies.
A Personal Connection to Immigration
“I come from a galaxy far, far away, called México,” the Andor star stated during his monologue.
In Kimmel’s absence, Luna hosted the ABC late-night talk show for the entire week, sharing that it was one of his dreams to do so.
Addressing Deportation Concerns
Luna touched on the sensitive topic of deportations, humorously noting, “English is not my first language. So, I hope you guys will help me if I get… What’s the word? Deported!”
The Mexican actor remarked that Kimmel “was very smart to hand his show over to me just as Trump decided to go crazy and drop his bombs over the weekend. Thanks a lot, Jimmy. Good luck!”
Immigration and Community
Luna got serious, stating he wanted to address the pressing issue of immigration and Trump’s authoritarian policies affecting Los Angeles and the United States. “It is no small thing that a Mexican is hosting such an important show,” he emphasized. “It’s a big deal, and I really hope not to f**k it up.”
He recalled his first visit to the U.S. at the age of 20 after the success of Y Tú Mamá También, frequently traveling to California for work.
“I spent a great part of my earnings on laundry services and alcohol here. A lot of my brain cells died in this city,” he joked. “I met people that to this day are very close to my heart. Great things happened to me here. In fact, my son was born here. Yes, I have an Angeleno son. The only Mexican-American in the family, and I’ll always be grateful to Los Angeles for that and every Angeleno.”
The Power of Immigrant Stories
Luna spoke about how L.A. felt like home when he was away from home, taking a jab at Elon Musk by saying people liked to show off their Teslas before its founder “became a MAGA space Nazi.”
He highlighted that what holds communities together are “our common roots.” He noted, “The people that lifted me up were mostly those who left their countries to find a new life or the descendants of immigrants who came here to work and build a dignified life away from their origins. Nobody leaves their land unless their survival depends on it.”
“All the people that I met share an unspoken gratitude to this country,” he continued. “A country that opened its doors to them. The most beautiful thing is that these immigrants brought their stories, loyalties, and love, always ready to adopt new traditions and grow in this vast cultural exchange.”
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Empathy and Understanding
Luna emphasized that L.A. thrives on diversity, stating that people from different cultures come together “to give each other a chance and build something remarkable.” He added, “This place is a powerful example of what can be achieved when we prioritize empathy.”
“I have never been able to fully understand how someone like Donald Trump can acquire such power,” he expressed. “Many people feel persecuted, living in fear of taking their kids to school or going to work.”
He continued, “These people are your neighbors, your friends, immigrants. This is very unfair. Immigrants have always been there to help rebuild this country.”
Luna recalled the L.A. fires, noting how immigrant workers risked their lives to extinguish the flames.
“There are many lies about immigrants,” he added. “But I’m sure you have stories that attest to the contrary. They need to know they’re not alone. It’s unacceptable to separate families. Violence and terror are not okay. Immigrants need to know their struggle is shared. Politicians have ignored this issue because it’s easier than acknowledging it. This country benefits from immigrants’ work but refuses to recognize their importance. That must change. We need to acknowledge the work of millions and how unfair it is that they live in hiding. The solution is clear: give them a path to legal certainty.”
Call to Action
Luna urged everyone to contact their Congress representatives and support organizations that assist immigrants in need.
“I hope what I said inspires you to get involved or view this from a different perspective. If my comments have angered you, just know it was all written by Guillermo. Blame him,” Luna joked, ending his monologue on a light note.
Watch Luna’s monologue in the video below.
