Dean Cain, the former Superman actor, has announced plans to join ICE, prompting MSNBC host Ali Velshi to mock the move by likening Superman’s fictional alien origins to U.S. immigration issues. Velshi suggested the agency’s recruitment push is politically motivated and has lowered its hiring standards.
Key Facts:
- Actor Dean Cain, 59, said he intends to become an ICE officer to “save America.”
- Cain played Superman on TV in the 1990s series “Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman.”
- MSNBC’s Ali Velshi mocked the move, calling Superman “a literal undocumented alien.”
- Velshi claimed ICE has lowered its hiring requirements, removing the college degree mandate.
- He also criticized the use of masked plainclothes officers in arrests.
The Rest of The Story:
Dean Cain shared his intention to join U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on social media, framing it as part of his commitment to protect the country. His announcement quickly drew attention, not just because of his fame, but due to his outspoken support for former President Donald Trump.
MSNBC’s Ali Velshi took the opportunity to ridicule the decision on air. He noted Cain’s history of portraying Superman, a fictional alien from Krypton, and quipped about the irony of a “literal undocumented alien” becoming an ICE agent. “You cannot make this stuff up,” Velshi said.
Velshi claimed that ICE’s current recruitment drive is being shaped by political ideology rather than traditional hiring standards. He pointed out that the agency no longer requires a college degree or prior law enforcement experience.
He also criticized the use of masked plainclothes officers in recent immigration arrests, tying their appearance to COVID-19 concerns but framing it as part of a troubling trend in ICE operations.
Commentary:
Ali Velshi’s Superman comparison is a prime example of political theater overshadowing reality. Superman is a comic book character from a fictional planet. He has no bearing on the real-world consequences of U.S. immigration policy or the crisis caused by open-border decisions. Linking a fictional alien to actual immigration enforcement is absurd on its face.
Moreover, Velshi’s mocking tone ignores the point that Dean Cain is not Superman—he’s an actor who once played a role. Suggesting the casting history of an actor has policy relevance is a stretch that veers into derangement. It’s akin to arguing that an actor who played a doctor should be barred from commenting on healthcare policy.
Velshi’s broader attack on ICE recruitment standards is also telling. Lowering entry requirements could be a response to staffing shortages, not a sinister ideological plot. Law enforcement agencies nationwide have adjusted hiring practices to attract candidates in a competitive market. That’s a practical reality, not evidence of political corruption.
What’s more, Velshi’s criticism of plainclothes ICE arrests overlooks the fact that undercover or unmarked operations are common in law enforcement for safety and operational reasons. Dragging COVID-19 into the discussion feels like a flimsy attempt to stir further outrage.
This entire episode reflects how some commentators will seize on any opportunity to mock Trump supporters, regardless of logic or context. Instead of engaging on the merits of immigration enforcement policy, Velshi resorts to pop culture jabs that do nothing to address the actual border crisis.
In the end, Dean Cain’s decision is a personal one. Whether he meets ICE’s qualifications should be determined by the agency, not by cable news comedians posing as serious analysts. The fact that this became a news segment at all says more about media obsession with Trump-aligned figures than about immigration enforcement itself.
The Bottom Line:
Ali Velshi mocked Dean Cain’s decision to join ICE by likening him to the fictional alien Superman, framing it as ironic and politically motivated. His segment focused more on sarcasm than substance, sidestepping the actual immigration crisis. Cain’s decision is personal, and ICE’s hiring policies are a matter for the agency—not late-night-style news commentary.
