Former “The View” co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck sparked a sharp exchange on Wednesday’s broadcast of the daytime talk show after accusing Democrats of being “the party of masks” during a discussion about immigration enforcement and border policy, as reported by Decider.

The moment came as the panel debated immigration reform, enforcement actions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and concerns raised by some about how raids are being carried out.

During the discussion, co-host Whoopi Goldberg said she believed Americans support strong border enforcement but criticized how immigration actions are being conducted.

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“But if you go in and say that’s what you’re going to do, and suddenly you’re sweeping up five-year-olds and people,” Goldberg said. “I will say in the vaguest form, folks that I work with outside of here have stopped going out to church. They have stopped taking their kids to school, because they’re nervous, and that is not what this should be.”

Goldberg also stated that “everybody in the nation” wants “tight borders” and “people who are not good for the country out of the country.”

Co-host Sunny Hostin argued that undocumented immigrants contribute financially and commit fewer crimes than citizens.

“And we should also mention that they are five times less likely to commit crimes than American citizens,” Hostin said.

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Hostin also added that “most undocumented immigrants pay more taxes than anyone.”

Goldberg continued the discussion by saying both political parties had attempted to address immigration policy in the past, but criticized the current approach.

“I guess my point is, there have been efforts made by both sides to figure out how to do this. This is not the way to round people the way that they do,” Goldberg said.

Goldberg also referenced concerns raised earlier in the conversation about law enforcement agents wearing face coverings during operations.

“If somebody comes at me with a mask on, running, talking about, ‘Hey,’ and didn’t show me they were a cop?” Goldberg said.

At that point, Hasselbeck pushed back, referencing pandemic-era mask mandates and criticizing Democrats.

“This is the party of masks. You guys forced masks on everybody in the United States,” Hasselbeck said.

She continued, “Like I don’t want to hear, ‘You can’t see my face.’ I just can’t. I love you, but I can’t.”

Her remarks prompted audible reactions from members of the studio audience, along with pushback from the panel.

Some of the co-hosts argued that Hasselbeck’s comments about mask mandates were unrelated to the discussion about immigration enforcement.

Goldberg responded by reiterating her concerns about families being affected during enforcement actions.

“I’m talking about people walking down the street with their kids on their way to school,” Goldberg said.

Hasselbeck acknowledged the concern, saying that point was “fair.”

Co-host Sara Haines then added that immigration remains a complicated issue for many families who have followed legal processes to enter the country.

“The number one thing you hear from immigrants in this country [is] immigrants are very critical of immigration because there are a lot of people who follow all the difficult steps to become a citizen, and they don’t want people skipping the line,” Haines said.

Haines also argued that enforcement tactics could create problems if they discourage individuals from complying with legal processes.

“You cannot have ICE waiting outside courtrooms when people report following the rules,” she said.

Hasselbeck responded by acknowledging what she described as the “human side” of the issue.

Citing that perspective, she said her “heart aches,” adding that she believes enforcement efforts should distinguish between criminals and individuals seeking better opportunities.

“I think we can extend the department to also monitor and weed out criminals who are coming in here to infiltrate versus those that are coming here with hope to elevate their lives to a place that we just happen to be born here with,” Hasselbeck said.

“I get that,” she added.

Hostin pushed back again during the discussion, saying drug trafficking statistics complicate the immigration debate.

“Do you know that the majority of fentanyl brought into this country is by American citizens at actual ports of entry? We are demonizing undocumented immigrants,” Hostin said.

Hasselbeck then defended the current administration’s handling of border policy.

“This administration is succeeding at the border right now,” she said, adding that “they will make mistakes.”

Goldberg responded by saying enforcement success does not necessarily reflect public opinion.

“I’m glad they are succeeding, but they are not succeeding with the American people, and that’s the problem,” Goldberg said.

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