‘SNL’ Cold Open: Bumbling ICE Agents Reveal Just How Bad They Are at Their Jobs

Pete Davidson returned to "Saturday Night Live" on January 31, 2023, to portray Tom Homan, who served as Donald Trump’s border czar. In the cold open, Davidson's character attempts to train Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, who are depicted as poorly prepared for their roles. The segment highlights the agents' lack of understanding regarding their jobs, particularly in the context of recent chaos in Minneapolis. During the skit, Davidson's Homan tries to instruct the agents on how to conduct themselves, specifically emphasizing the importance of avoiding being filmed while breaking the law. This comedic portrayal serves to critique the training and operational effectiveness of ICE under Homan's leadership. Although Davidson does not closely resemble Homan, the intent of the sketch is to satirize the perceived incompetence of the agency during Homan's tenure. The cold open reflects a broader commentary on the state of immigration enforcement and the challenges faced by ICE agents. By using humor, the segment aims to shed light on serious issues related to law enforcement practices and the implications of inadequate training within the agency. Overall, Davidson's return to SNL and his portrayal of Homan serves as a vehicle for political satire regarding immigration policies and enforcement actions.