Colbert's Cutting Commentary on Biden's Asylum Cap Parodies Statue of Liberty

Late-night host Stephen Colbert lambasted President Biden's new executive order limiting asylum seekers at the southern border, using a poignant parody of the iconic Statue of Liberty poem to underscore his criticism.

Stephen Colbert's sharp wit took aim at President Biden's recent executive order on immigration, eliciting laughter and reflection alike. On his "Late Show" monologue, Colbert evoked the legendary poem inscribed on the Statue of Liberty, "The New Colossus," to satirize the new asylum seeker cap.

"The White House announced executive actions to stop illegal immigrants at the southern border claiming asylum if crossings reach a certain level," Colbert began. "A move that has angered many progressives, including apparently myself."

Colbert's parody of the Statue of Liberty's welcoming message was both humorous and poignant, highlighting the dissonance between the original intent and the current policy. "They changed the poem on the Statue of Liberty to read: ‘Give us your tired, your poor, your huddled masses up to 2,500 people a day, while supplies last, only valid at participating Dairy Queens.’"

The late-night host's mockery extended to Senator John Kennedy's criticism of Biden's border policies, comparing the president's political vulnerability to "fungal infections." Colbert retorted, "He’s polling right up there with ‘Former President Fungal Infections.’"

Colbert's critique marked the second night of his satirical commentary on Biden's border policy shift. Previously, he had joked about Biden pitching border security to Democrats by emphasizing its perceived progressive credentials.

Emma Lazarus's "The New Colossus" has been a long-standing symbol of immigration advocacy, its verses echoing the United States' history as a haven for the weary and oppressed. Colbert's parody pointedly underscored the gap between the poem's aspirations and the current reality of limited asylum intake.

Various organizations have invoked Lazarus's words for diverse causes, including the "Jewish Voice for Peace" in its efforts to end the Gaza conflict. Their quote from Lazarus, "The famous words of our Sephardi Jewish ancestor Emma Lazarus etched into this monument compel us to take action," highlights the poem's resonant message.

The controversy surrounding Biden's executive order reflects the complex and often divisive nature of immigration policy in the United States. Colbert's satirical commentary, while humorous, serves as a reminder of the fundamental human rights at stake and the need for compassionate and responsible solutions.