Topics: Superman, Piers Morgan, Politics, US News, Celebrity
Former Superman actor Dean Cain quickly became defensive when he was questioned about his decision to join Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during a live TV interview with political strategist Tim Miller.
Cain joined Miller on the Piers Morgan Uncensored chat show on Monday (August 12), after the former actor announced his news on Instagram last week.
The 59-year-old, who is known for playing the superhero in the 1990s series Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, explained in his post that he wanted to help 'secure the safety of all Americans'.
Rather than 'just talk about it', Cain signed up himself to ICE.
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In an interview with Fox News, he added: “I will be sworn in as an ICE agent ASAP."
The move has sparked controversy from some of Cain's followers, and on Monday, Miller was among those challenging the actor on his decision.
In the interview, Miller criticized the idea that 'somebody who is not trained would join ICE' and accused the agency of 'putting on masks' and 'nabbing people', adding: "It’s a horrible policy. It is un-American."
Miller added: “They came through a legal process and now we’ve got ICE agents, and apparently former Superman actors are going to jump out of vans and nab them and hold them in deportation cells. That’s insane. Like, that’s not how you act in a free country.”
However, Cain hit back to argue he was being 'denigrated' because of his background in acting, saying: "I don't understand why you have to go, you know, a former untrained actor.
"I'm not untrained. I've been a sheriff's deputy for almost 10 years. I've been a sworn sheriff's deputy and a reserve police officer. So, I don't know why you're saying untrained."
Cain continued: " And by the way, when you join ICE, they train you. So, to say that and try to denigrate because I'm an actor, I shouldn't be able to be concerned about what's going on with our borders or with our law enforcement agencies, is denigrating. It's ridiculous. Should I say because you're a former Republican strategist, you have no no say on anything? That's baloney.
"Denigrating somebody because they're doing this because of what they used to do or what they do or whether they're an actor or a writer or a newscaster is ridiculous...
"And there's been over a 100,000 people who have who have put in applications for ICE. So clearly there is a desire for people to step up and serve this country."
When questioned on whether he would know the rights of people he encountered as an agent, Cain pointed out he's 'not an ICE agent yet', but argued that those who are are being 'villanized'.
"You’re going out and you’re villainizing these ICE agents who are trying to uphold the law," he said. "These are wonderful men and women. They shouldn't be attacked. Their families shouldn't be attacked. They're doing their job"
Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin has confirmed Cain will be joining ICE, saying he will be 'sworn in as an honorary ICE Officer in the coming month'.
