Carl Higbie pushed back sharply against actor Richard Gere’s call for greater empathy in discussions about migration, arguing that large-scale immigration can place pressure on public services, local communities and cultural traditions.

Higbie opened by dismissing what he described as familiar liberal rhetoric on diversity and equity before introducing a clip of Gere.

"Diversity and equity, or all the other liberal buzzwords, not a metric. But to avoid that conversation, the libs are trotting out their actors to spew this trash," Higbie said.

Gere, in the video clip, argued that human rights should not be limited by national borders and expressed concern that public debate over migration has become increasingly driven by fear.

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"Human rights does not stop at borders. Today, I'm increasingly concerned by the way irregular migration is being discussed across Europe and the U.S. and beyond; fear is replacing empathy," Gere said.

Higbie rejected that framing and argued that concern over immigration is rooted in what he sees as real consequences for communities.

"Oh, I bet you are living in your gated community, you fool. You say fear like people should just ignore reality," Higbie said.

He then pointed to Minnesota as an example, alleging that large-scale Somali immigration has contributed to crime, welfare dependence and fraud.

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"Everywhere these third-world migrants are going, rape up, crime up, in places like Minnesota, who foolishly took in like mass Somalis for some odd reason?" Higbie said.

He also referenced allegations of fraud involving Somali communities in Minnesota and argued that taxpayers are being asked to bear costs without receiving comparable benefits.

"Fear is not the word I would use. Pissed off is more like it," Higbie said.

Higbie framed the issue as cultural as well as economic. He said he wants immigration to remain voluntary and selective rather than becoming a process that changes local traditions without the consent of existing residents.

"Look, I love my country, but I'm done with this. I love my culture. That is why I went to war to defend it," Higbie said.

He continued by criticizing what he described as cultural changes in places such as Dearborn, Michigan, and parts of Minnesota.

"My culture is worth fighting for," Higbie said.

Higbie also argued that the Democratic Party supports extending political power to immigrants who, in his view, may not share American values or have adequately assimilated.

"Yet the entire Democrat Party wants to give these people now a vote too," Higbie said.

He cited Ilhan Omar as an example of what he views as insufficient gratitude toward the United States, arguing that immigrants who were given refuge should recognize what the country provided them.

"Just like Ilhan Omar, that woman owes everything about her lifestyle and her achievements to the United States of America, and she hates us for it," Higbie said.

Higbie then broadened his argument to Europe, saying countries such as France and Britain are further along in dealing with the political and cultural consequences of mass migration.

"I always look to Europe because they're like five to seven years ahead of the stupid from us," he said.

He pointed to recent unrest in Paris and argued that immigration and overcrowding have contributed to deeper social conflict.

"France took in too many of these people, under the name of like equity or whatever stupid stuff Macron could come up with," Higbie said.

He further claimed that riots in France were connected to both Islamist and communist political forces, though he presented that as his own interpretation of the unrest.

"This is about an Islamic and communist overthrow of France," Higbie said.

Turning to Britain, Higbie criticized speech laws and argued that officials have become more protective of certain religious sensitivities than of free expression.

"You can trash Jesus all day long in Great Britain. Not a word, nothing, nothing will happen to you. One word about the Prophet Muhammad, they will lock you up for hate speech," Higbie said.

Despite his broader criticism of migration policy, Higbie said he supports legal immigration when newcomers contribute to the country and follow the law.

"Here's my terms as an American. You want to come to America? We will welcome you with open arms if you bring something to the table and come here legally and you do it the right way," Higbie said.

He drew a distinction between earlier generations of immigrants whom he credited with helping build the country and migrants he believes now rely heavily on public benefits.

"That's the difference between the migrants you see on your screen right now, who actually built the New York City skyline, who actually built America. The migrants today who are leeching off our social programs, totally different," Higbie said.

He closed by tying the issue directly to taxation and his belief that Americans should not be forced to subsidize people who reject the country’s culture.

"I don't spend 12 hours a day away from my family to pay half my paycheck to the G-man just to be lit on fire to hand over to somebody who comes here to overthrow my culture and then spit in my face while they do it, like Ilhan Omar."

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