“The Late Late Show” host James Corden marked the show’s return from a week long hiatus with a video criticizing Donald Trump’s executive order prohibiting citizens of several majority-Muslim countries from entering the U.S.
In the video, posted to “The Late Late Show” official YouTube account that also served as the opening to tonight’s episode, Corden arrives at Los Angeles International Airport, where he easily checks in, orders food, and eventually boards a plane. The 38-year-old host was born in London, England, which makes him an immigrant to the U.S., not unlike the people affected by Trump’s order.
But Corden isn’t stopped by security, he encounters no friction getting his ticket, and he has no troubles with the legality of leaving the country. That’s the whole point: The 79-second video shows Corden traveling with no troubles whatsoever.
That’s in stark contrast to what travelers from seven Middle Eastern countries affected by Trump’s order. Customs and Border Protection agents detained travelers from those countries, including those carrying legal visas and green cards. Despite a federal judge ordering a stay of enforcing Trump’s order, CBP agents reportedly continued to hold travelers. The order triggered protests at airports all across the country throughout the weekend.
Corden ends the video with the statement, “Freedom of movement should be this easy for all legal immigrants. Not just the white and Christian ones.”
“The Late Late Show” was on hiatus the week before Corden left LA on Jan. 30, and because of his travel, the show is pre-taped for the week, according to the video.
His short protest video adds Corden to a growing list of celebrities speaking out against Trump’s policies, including the immigration executive order. At the Screen Actors Guild Awards, “Moonlight” star Mahershala Ali and David Harbour of “Stranger Things” both used their acceptance speeches to call out Trump.
On Monday, Acting Attorney General Sally Yates, an Obama appointee, issued a statement that the Department of Justice wouldn’t defend Trump’s executive order while she was in office. By the end of the day, Trump had fired and replaced her.