Key Takeaways
• Pedro Pascal shared his family’s refugee journey from Chile to the U.S. at Cannes, highlighting personal immigrant experiences.
• Pascal criticized Trump-era immigration policies, notably on DACA and TPS, stressing the real human impact and ongoing legal challenges.
• He urged immigrants to resist fear, keep telling their stories, and advocated for empathy and protection for vulnerable populations.
When Pedro Pascal spoke at the Cannes Film Festival, his words reached far beyond the red carpet and flashing cameras. The attention was not just for his new movie “Eddington.” Instead, it was his honest thoughts on immigration, deportations in the United States 🇺🇸, and his personal story that stood out. For many, Pascal is known as a celebrated actor. But at that moment, he also became a voice for immigrants and refugees—something shaped deeply by his own journey as a child.
Pedro Pascal Shares His Immigrant Story At Cannes Film Festival
During a press conference at the famous Cannes Film Festival, Pedro Pascal faced questions that were not easy. Reporters asked about the United States’ approach to immigration, especially the situation under President Trump’s administration. Rather than avoid the question, Pascal leaned in with honesty and emotion.
“I want people to be safe and to be protected, and I want very much to live on the right side of history,” he told the crowd. He explained, “I am an immigrant. My parents are refugees from Chile 🇨🇱. We fled a dictatorship.” Pascal’s words were not just political; they were personal. He spoke about his parents’ decision to leave Chile to protect their young family from harm.
His story did not end there. After leaving Chile, his family applied for asylum in Denmark 🇩🇰, hoping to find a safe place. Eventually, they settled in the United States 🇺🇸. Pascal reflected, “I was privileged enough to grow up in the US, after asylum in Denmark, and if it weren’t for that, I don’t know what would have happened to us.” These comments, reported by outlets like The Times of India and Fox News, echoed through the festival and around the world.
How Asylum and Immigration Change Lives
Pascal’s family’s journey from Chile to the United States is a clear example of how immigration decisions are rarely simple or easy. Seeking asylum means asking another country for protection when your home country is too dangerous. The word “asylum” means safety, and for many, it’s the difference between hope and fear.
According to U.S. government asylum guidelines, asylum seekers must prove they have a real fear of harm in their home country because of things like their race, religion, nationality, group membership, or political opinion. Pascal’s parents, who left Chile during the rule of General Pinochet, fit this definition. At the time, many Chileans fled because of political risk and violence.
Pascal called himself “privileged” for being able to grow up in the United States. Without that safety, he admitted, “I don’t know what would have happened to us.” His gratitude underlines how immigration saves and changes lives—not just for him, but also for millions of others who have left unsafe places.
The Political Backdrop: U.S. Immigration Debates
Immigration is a topic that often divides the United States 🇺🇸. Policies change as different presidents take office, and rules about who can stay or must leave can shift quickly. At Cannes, Pascal was clear about his feelings: “I stand by those needing protection, always.” But he admitted that talking about these subjects is not easy.
Reporters at the film festival pressed him about the latest U.S. immigration policies, especially about President Trump’s direction. Under President Trump, the United States put in place tough rules. For example, there were efforts to end DACA (a program that protects young people brought to the U.S. as children) and limits on asylum seekers at the southern border. These moves led to protests and court battles.
One example Pascal mentioned was the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program. This program lets people from certain countries stay in the U.S. if there’s war, disaster, or unsafe conditions back home. At one point, more than 530,000 people had TPS status. But under President Trump’s administration, there were attempts to end the protection for many, until a judge stepped in and paused the decision.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, legal battles continue over these programs. The uncertainty makes daily life difficult for those caught in the middle.
Speaking Out in a Climate of Fear
Pascal did not shy away from the fear that many immigrants feel. “Fear is the way they win. So, keep telling the stories. Keep expressing yourself and keep fighting to be who you are,” he stated confidently. He even added, “F**k the people that try to make you scared. And fight back. And don’t let them win.”
These bold words reflect not just his own beliefs, but also what he feels many immigrants around the world need to hear. Fear, he explained, is often used as a tool by those in power to control or silence people. For someone with his background, standing tall and speaking out feels risky, but necessary.
Pascal also admitted the subject was “very scary” for him and that he did not feel “adequately knowledgeable” to address every policy point. Still, he knew he had a responsibility to use his platform for good. This hint of worry and humility made his message even more relatable to many who are facing similar fears.
Why Stories Like Pedro Pascal’s Matter
In today’s world, immigration is often discussed in terms of numbers or laws. But behind every policy is a story like Pedro Pascal’s—a story of having to leave home to find safety, facing uncertainty, and building a life elsewhere. By speaking honestly at the Cannes Film Festival, Pascal reminded listeners that debates about immigration are not just about borders. They are about people.
His willingness to share his family’s journey, from the dictatorship in Chile to a new beginning in the United States, puts a human face on a political debate. It’s easy for many to forget that policies affect real families with hopes, fears, and dreams.
A Split Political Landscape: What’s At Stake?
Immigration rules in the United States 🇺🇸 change depending on which political party is in power. The back and forth creates stress for both immigrants and American society. Under President Trump, many policies were designed to slow down or even stop immigration. There were stricter border controls, new rules on who could claim asylum, and attempts to cancel protections like DACA and TPS.
But these plans did not always succeed. Courts and advocacy groups fought back, and some rules were delayed or paused. For people living with immigration challenges, the uncertainty is difficult. Not knowing if they will be allowed to stay, work, or see their families causes deep stress.
Pascal’s words at Cannes match what many feel: the current way can be scary for immigrants, especially when policies change suddenly. Still, as he said, it is important to keep telling your story and standing up for what is right, even in the face of fear.
Temporary Protected Status and DACA: The Human Side
Programs like Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) are lifelines for many. TPS is given to certain people if their home country is too dangerous to return to—maybe because of war, natural disaster, or political problems. DACA protects young people who were brought to the United States as children; it means they can work and study without fear of being sent away.
Changes to these programs—like attempts to end them or reduce their reach—can mean thousands of people are suddenly at risk of deportation. And behind every number is a person, often with family, friends, and work in the United States.
Pascal’s story is similar. He wasn’t just an immigrant; his parents were refugees, running from danger. If rules had been different, his life might have turned out very differently. This truth is one reason why immigration debates matter so much.
Impact on the Film Community and Beyond
Pedro Pascal is not the first actor at the Cannes Film Festival to speak about political issues. Still, his viewpoint as a former refugee gives him a special voice. The world of film brings together people from every corner of the globe and highlights ideas of freedom, creativity, and hope.
When stars like Pascal are open about immigration, they send a message to audiences and leaders alike: these issues are not just about paperwork—they are about real lives and second chances. His call to “keep telling the stories” reminds filmmakers and viewers that art can help people care more deeply about these topics.
This encouragement goes beyond just movies. It can inspire regular people, politicians, and other public figures to talk about problems and push for solutions that protect the most vulnerable.
Personal Cost: Living With Uncertainty
Many immigrants and people seeking asylum live with constant worry. They wonder if a new rule or law might force them out, separate them from their family, or upend everything they have worked for. Pascal admitted that even for him—someone now famous and successful—talking about these issues can be scary.
His story shows that fear affects everyone, no matter their success. Still, his bravery in sharing his past is meaningful. It tells others going through similar struggles that they are not alone and that it’s okay to speak out, ask for help, or stand up for others.
Immigration Challenges Today: The Bigger Picture
The debate over immigration continues in the United States and in countries around the world. The policies set by leaders can quickly change the lives of thousands of families. For those with Temporary Protected Status, DACA, or waiting for asylum decisions, news about legal battles or political changes brings deep worry.
Pedro Pascal’s appearance at the Cannes Film Festival brought attention to these struggles. His voice, shaped by his parents’ desperate flight from Chile and their search for safety, puts a spotlight on the personal side of immigration. At the same time, the global attention at Cannes helps keep the issue in the public eye.
People who learn about stories like his may see the debate in a new way. Instead of only looking at laws or budgets, they begin to think about the people involved—what they have lost, what they hope for, and what the future might hold.
Advice for Immigrants and Supporters
Pascal’s advice—“keep fighting to be who you are”—is true for everyone facing immigration issues. Sometimes, the news or politics can feel overwhelming. But as his story shows, hope and courage are powerful.
For those wanting to help, learning about programs like asylum, DACA, and TPS is a good start. The U.S. government provides detailed information about these options, including who can apply, what paperwork is needed, and what rights are offered.
There are also local and national groups that support immigrants, helping with legal advice, education, and even emotional support. For many, simply listening to stories or sharing them with others can help change the conversation and bring more understanding.
Conclusion: Pedro Pascal’s Immigration Story as a Call to Action
Pedro Pascal’s appearance at the Cannes Film Festival became much more than a film promotion stop. By sharing details about his family’s journey from Chile to Denmark and then to the United States, he shed light on the reality facing millions of immigrants and refugees. His insistence on standing by those needing protection reminds us all that immigration is not just about papers, courts, or politics. It is about people who need and deserve safety.
Amid the shifting tides of U.S. immigration policies under leaders like President Trump, Pascal’s story becomes a reminder: history will judge how we treat the most vulnerable. His call to keep fighting fear, share stories, and push for what’s right is a message for every person—no matter where they live.
As VisaVerge.com points out, the rules and politics of immigration may change, but the need for compassion and justice does not. Stories like Pedro Pascal’s help keep that truth alive, both at the Cannes Film Festival and far beyond its bright lights.
Learn Today
Asylum → A legal protection allowing individuals to stay in another country when returning home would threaten their safety or life.
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) → A U.S. immigration program granting protection from deportation to people whose home countries face conflict or disaster.
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) → A U.S. policy providing temporary protection and work authorization to young immigrants brought to the country as children.
Refugee → A person who flees their home country seeking safety and protection because of war, persecution, or disaster.
Deportation → The legal process of forcing someone to leave a country, typically due to violating immigration regulations or laws.
This Article in a Nutshell
Pedro Pascal’s heartfelt speech at the Cannes Film Festival went beyond cinema, spotlighting his family’s refugee journey from Chile. Criticizing harsh U.S. immigration policies, he highlighted the emotional toll and daily uncertainty faced by immigrants. Pascal’s story urges all to confront fear with courage and advocate for compassion.
— By VisaVerge.com
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