At the Los Angeles premiere of The Fantastic Four: First Steps, Pedro Pascal candidly addressed the increasing deportations in the United States and the immense emotional toll these enforcement activities place on immigrant communities. Highlighting his own daily struggle as an immigrant, Pascal emphasized the urgent need to defend the cultural spirit under threat, linking his personal experience to the broader challenges faced by many.
His remarks coincided with a recent report revealing a 268% increase in daily Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrests compared to the same period last year, marking a sharp intensification in deportation actions. Pascal refrained from citing specific policies but underscored that public awareness and social media posts are insufficient to capture the emotional weight immigrants endure.
“They are attacking the spirit of our culture. The best people. It has to be defended. For me, an Instagram post is not enough; every day, I’m trying to survive emotionally and mentally, and also to understand how to be more in service…”
—Pedro Pascal, Actor
Rising ICE Arrests and Their Impact on Immigrant Populations
Data from June 2025 demonstrates a dramatic increase in immigration arrests, with ICE accelerating removals and revisiting older cases, especially in sanctuary jurisdictions historically less cooperative with federal enforcement. According to reports from The Guardian and the UC Berkeley Deportation Data Project, nearly half of those detained in early June had no criminal history, a significant rise from 21% recorded in early May. This trend signals an expansion in targets for deportation beyond previously prioritized groups.
Legal aid organizations in states like California and Texas report a growing demand for mental health services among immigrants, attributing rises to family separations and the trauma of unexpected arrests. The emotional pressure documented within these communities parallels the mental health struggles Pascal referenced, underscoring the psychological consequences of these intensified deportation policies.
Pascal’s public statements come shortly after a California judge authorized increased local law enforcement cooperation with ICE, facilitated by new Department of Justice funding rules, which critics argue may further expose vulnerable immigrants to enforcement actions.
Pedro Pascal’s Advocacy for Immigrants at Cannes Film Festival
Before his comments in Los Angeles, Pascal spoke on similar issues during the Cannes Film Festival on May 17, 2025, while promoting Ari Aster’s politically charged film Eddington. There, he shared his personal history and concerns about U.S. deportation policies, emphasizing the fear faced by many immigrants and the desire to support protective measures. Reflecting on his own background, Pascal connected his family’s refugee journey with his advocacy.
“It’s obviously very scary for an actor who participated in the movie to speak on issues like this. I want people to be safe and to be protected. I want to live on the right side of history, I am an immigrant. My parents are refugees from Chile. We fled a dictatorship and I was privileged enough to grow up in the United States after asylum in Denmark.”
—Pedro Pascal, Actor
He further declared,
“If it weren’t for that, I don’t know what would have happened to us, I stand by those protections always.”
—Pedro Pascal, Actor
When pressed about any fear related to returning to the U.S. following involvement in politically sensitive subjects, Pascal succinctly stated,
“Fear is the way that they win.”
—Pedro Pascal, Actor
Eddington, which explores societal tensions during the pandemic in small-town America, divided opinion at Cannes, with some praising its relevance and others criticizing its divisive themes.
How Pedro Pascal’s Early Life Influenced His Views on Immigration
Born Jose Pedro Balmaceda Pascal on April 2, 1975, in Santiago, Chile, Pascal’s early life was shaped by political turmoil under General Augusto Pinochet’s military dictatorship. His parents—Veronica Pascal, a child psychologist, and José Balmaceda, a fertility doctor—were active in opposition movements and sought asylum when Pascal was just nine months old. The family first settled in Denmark before moving to the United States, where Pascal spent his formative years in Texas and California.
Throughout numerous interviews, Pascal has credited the asylum system that protected his family with saving their lives, reinforcing his commitment to defend immigrant rights and protections. His experiences growing up in the U.S., combined with his formal acting training—first at the Orange County School of the Arts and later at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts—laid the foundation for a career that balances entertainment with advocacy.
Pascal’s rise to fame began with his role as Oberyn Martell in HBO’s Game of Thrones, followed by prominent parts in The Mandalorian, The Last of Us, and now in Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Despite his success, he consistently uses his platform to voice the challenges faced by immigrants, highlighting how deeply his heritage and history inform his public statements and activism.
The Broader Significance of Pascal’s Advocacy
Pedro Pascal’s decision to speak openly about immigrant struggles amid a surge in U.S. deportations serves as a powerful reminder of the human cost behind policy shifts. His visibility as a Hollywood star amplifies the experiences of countless immigrants who endure uncertainty, fear, and emotional strain. By sharing his personal story, Pascal bridges the gap between public discourse and lived realities, urging society and policymakers to reconsider the impact of aggressive deportation measures.
As deportation arrests rise and legal environments shift, voices like Pascal’s may influence public awareness and advocacy efforts. His emphasis on surviving emotionally and mentally while seeking ways to serve immigrant communities points to ongoing grassroots and cultural resistance. Monitoring future legal developments and public responses will be critical in understanding how these issues evolve and how influential figures continue to shape the conversation around immigration.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why is Pedro Pascal so loved?
A. Meloni chuckles, but she’s sincere: “We admire him for his political views. As an actor, he’s used his position to address serious issues like the genocide in Gaza, the rise of fascism, and reductions in LGBTQ+ rights. His sense of masculinity is also something we appreciate.”
Q. Can Pedro Pascal have kids?
A. He is single, with no kids and no desire to have any. Yet, he often acts as a surrogate dad in movies. This has become a part of his online persona for fans. Interestingly, Pascal knows about this trend and actively embraces it.
Q. Does Pedro Pascal support LGBTQ?
A. Pedro Pascal used Instagram to show his backing for LGBTQ+ youth. This happened after the government closed the LGBTQ+ support part of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
Q. Why is Pedro Pascal a babygirl?
A. In its updated use, “babygirl” refers to a man who appears gentle and open. When talking about people like Mescal and Pascal, it also often means good-looking. Additionally, it hints at someone being a bit innocent.
