A two-minute clip from a 2006 speech delivered by then-Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) is recirculating on social media thanks to social media influencers, including Trump supporter billionaire Bill Ackman.
In the speech, Obama warned “those who enter our country illegally and those that employ them disrespect the rule of law. Because we live in an age where terrorists are challenging our borders. We cannot allow people to pour into the U.S. undetected, undocumented, and unchecked.”
Ackman amplified the clip and wrote: “It is incredible how far the Democratic Party has moved politically. Just listen to @BarackObama on immigration 20 years ago. @HillaryClinton spoke similarly back then. The question of course is why. The answer I believe is not a change in fundamental views, but rather a tactical one. At some point, the Democratic Party believed it had a higher likelihood of staying in power if our country had open borders. When did this take place? What was the catalyst for this reversal of views?”
It is incredible how far the Democratic Party has moved politically. Just listen to @BarackObama on immigration 20 years ago. @HillaryClinton spoke similarly back then.
The question of course is why. The answer I believe is not a change in fundamental views, but rather a… https://t.co/T8zj27wzVr
— Bill Ackman (@BillAckman) July 26, 2026
Obama’s former White House Director of Speechwriting, Jon Favreau, replied to Ackman: “Since I worked on this speech, I’ll just point out that this part was left out of the clip: ‘We must allow undocumented immigrants to come out of the shadows and step on a path toward full participation in our society. In fact, I will not support any bill that does not provide this earned path to citizenship for the undocumented population–not just for humanitarian reasons; not just because these people, having broken the law, did so for the best of motives, to try and provide a better life for their children and their grandchildren; but also because this is the only practical way we can get a handle on the population that is within our borders right now.’”
Favreau added: “If Republicans would now like to support the immigration proposals that Obama and other Dems advocated back in 2006, we could actually get something done.”
[Note: In 2008, Ackman financially supported Obama during his initial run for the White House (against Sen. John McCain), and said at the time: “My goal is not to pay less taxes. My goal is to elect an incredibly smart and capable guy.” During the 2016 Democratic primary, Ackman supported former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg instead of Hillary Clinton.]
Since I worked on this speech, I’ll just point out that this part was left out of the clip:
“We must allow undocumented immigrants to come out of the shadows and step on a path toward full participation in our society. In fact, I will not support any bill that does not provide… https://t.co/KcFtnEUdb8
— Jon Favreau (@jonfavs) July 26, 2026