John Oliver took on Republican opposition to allowing Syrian refugees into the U.S. on Sunday, systematically going through a variety of dubious statements on the subject.
“It is absolutely fair to be concerned about safety in the wake of these attacks … unfortunately many of the people talking about it this week don’t seem to have the first idea of what we’re doing,” Oliver said on his HBO show “Last Week Tonight.”
He poked fun at several candidates and lawmakers, including Jeb Bush, who’s suggested allowing only Christian refugees into America because you can “prove” someone is a Christian.
He also mocked governors across the country who’ve said they won’t allow Syrian refugees into their states.
“That’s pretty extreme, but that’s also pretty meaningless for two reasons,” Oliver said. “One: Governors don’t have the legal authority to ban refugees and two: even if they could, Syrians can just walk between states like anyone else! The lines on maps aren’t crocodile-filled moats.”
Oliver concluded by taking on the House of Representatives’ passage of a bill that creates tougher screening measures for refugees, including a requirement that the FBI director sign off on each Syrian refugee entering the U.S. individually.
“At this point why don’t we just include a pie-eating contest, a spelling bee and an evening wear portion?” Oliver joked.