CNN democratic strategist says women won’t have berries for smoothies if illegals are deported

CNN panel debates impact of illegal immigrant deportation and warns of everyday consequences.

In a heated discussion on CNN’s NewsNight with Abby Phillip, Democratic strategist Jenna Arnold sparked a fiery debate about the potential consequences of a nationwide crackdown on illegal immigration. Arnold argued that deportations would impact daily life, particularly for those who rely on immigrant labor for tasks like picking fruit.

In response to concerns about the Trump administration's stricter immigration policies, Arnold warned that Americans could soon face shortages of common products.

"I can’t wait until American women can’t get blueberries for their smoothies," Arnold quipped. "I cannot wait until there is a full crackdown on all small businesses, as if that’s going to be the solution to the immigration problem. It’s just going to put immigration-related issues further into the darker corners. We’re not going to see them. It’s just going to become even harder to solve the problem. It doesn’t make sense to punish individuals and people when there is a broken system."

The debate centered around whether the U.S. economy truly depends on illegal immigrant labor. Scott Jennings, a political commentator, argued that employers who benefit from hiring illegal workers should be held accountable.

"If you are trying to actively hire illegal immigrants, if you think that’s best, if you are trying to game the system, if you are trying to help someone break U.S. federal immigration law, I think if we’re going to have a true crackdown on illegal immigration in this country, it has to involve everybody who’s participating in it," Jennings said.

Former Trump White House political director Bill Stephen pushed back on the notion that illegal immigrants are essential for certain tasks.

"I don’t want to hear that they’re doing work that no one else will do," Stephen said. "Talk to guys in the building trades, plumbers, contractors-"

At this point, Arnold interrupted, emphasizing the labor immigrants provide in sectors like agriculture.

"Picking strawberries," she said, continuing her argument that deportations would harm everyday Americans.

Jennings countered, suggesting that concerns about a full economic collapse due to deportations are overstated.

"I think if you came here illegally and you know when you came, you know you did it, you know you broke the law, you have to understand, it’s a new day in America," Jennings responded. "And No. 2, I still think the case for total economic collapse, if we have some deportation, is totally overstated. I mean, it’s obvious the priority is violent criminals. And the second priority is people with existing deportation orders. I think that’s the vast majority of what’s going to go on, you know, for the next couple of years. And I don’t think that’s going to have any impact on the economy at all."

🚨As Scott Jennings spits facts about businesses hiring aliens: “Employers who are part of this pipeline ought to be put on notice. You've got to play by the rules."

Democrat retorts: “I can’t wait until American women can’t put blueberries in their smoothies."

Every. Time.… pic.twitter.com/BLrZ1c2RIv

— Western Lensman (@WesternLensman) January 29, 2025