Donald Trump’s White House has drawn Marcello Hernández into the fray of its anti-immigration agenda, editing a Saturday Night Live promo to imply that the cast member is an illegal immigrant.
The White House posted the video—an edited version of an SNL promo Hernández recorded with Sabrina Carpenter ahead of her October 18 SNL episode—to its X account this afternoon.
“I think I might need to arrest someone for being too hot,” Carpenter remarked in the original promo.
The line—drawn from Carpenter’s tradition of “arresting” audience members and special guests during live performances of her song “Juno”—prompts Hernández to extend his wrists as if he’s being handcuffed and reply, “Oh, well, I turn myself in.”
In the White House’s edit, a TikTok-style voiceover replaces Carpenter saying “hot” with the word “illegal.”
The exchange is followed by real footage of ICE agents arresting individuals.
“PSA: If you’re a criminal illegal, you WILL be arrested & deported,” the White House captioned the video.
PSA: If you’re a criminal illegal, you WILL be arrested & deported. ✨ pic.twitter.com/7wluqPiidR
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) December 5, 2025
Hernández was born in Miami, Florida, to immigrant parents—his mother from Cuba and his father from the Dominican Republic. The SNL star’s background has influenced some of his work on the show, including the recurring sketch “Immigrant Dad Talk Show.”
The edited video appears to be the latest salvo in an escalating feud between the Trump administration and Carpenter, who spoke out earlier this week after the White House posted a different video of ICE agents aggressively detaining immigrants, set to her song “Juno,” on X and TikTok.
Carpenter responded on X, vehemently opposing the song’s inclusion. “This video is evil and disgusting,” she wrote. “Do not ever involve me or my music to benefit your inhumane agenda.” Today, the White House removed its X post, though the video remains on TikTok.
The Trump administration has regularly used the likenesses of public figures without their permission to advance its anti-immigration agenda, and often receives takedown notices as a result. It’s unclear whether NBC will take action on the White House’s latest video. LateNighter has reached out to NBC, as well as to reps for both Hernández and Carpenter, for comment.
SNL has a new live epiosde this weekend with host Melissa McCarthy and musical guest Dijon. Time will tell if the show or Hernández himself choose to address the new White House video on air.
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Makes me wanna puke.
Don’t those viscid parasites at the Shite House have anything better to do?
He is a United States citizen. I hope he sues for the threats.
We’re in the fucking twilight zone ladies and gentlemen. This is actually despicable. Everyday the White House manages to go to the deepest depths of hell low.
AINT THAT THE FUCKING TRUTH 😉👍❤️
It’s being run by obnoxious middle school bullies and losers!
well done sabrina ❤️ this says everything about everything – words not needed- what a disgusting way to treat a fellow human being 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬
when you think they can’t go lower (or less funny)