NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley has sharply criticized U.S. President Donald Trump over his administration’s handling of immigration, describing the approach as “a travesty and a disgrace.”
Barkley made the remarks during a March Madness pregame broadcast on CBS, following a feature on Alex Karaban, a first-generation American and standout player for the UConn Huskies.
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“I want to be very careful with my words right now, because this is a really touchy subject for me,” Barkley said. “I love that kid and his family, but the way some of these other immigrants are getting treated in our country right now is a travesty and a disgrace.”
The former basketball star emphasized the distinction between law-abiding immigrants and individuals involved in criminal activity, arguing that current policies have unfairly impacted many families.
“I think there’s a difference between amazing immigrants and criminal immigrants,” he continued. “What we’re doing to some of these amazing immigrants is really unfortunate and it’s really sad.”
Barkley also highlighted the broader historical role of immigrants in shaping the United States, stressing that their contributions should be recognized and respected.
“Immigrants built this country, and we should admire them and respect them,” he said.
His comments come amid ongoing debate over immigration enforcement policies under the Trump administration, which has prioritized deportations and stricter border controls since returning to office. Federal agencies such as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Border Patrol have conducted operations nationwide, drawing criticism from advocacy groups and some public figures.
Critics argue that aspects of these enforcement measures have gone too far, raising concerns about fairness, due process, and the treatment of immigrant communities.
While Barkley’s remarks reflect growing public scrutiny of immigration policies, the administration has maintained that its actions are necessary to uphold national security and enforce immigration laws.
