Maher Says Immigrants Must Embrace Core American Values, Drawing Academic Pushback

Comedian Bill Maher contended Friday that those seeking to immigrate to the United States must embrace the nation’s core cultural principles, specifically citing gay rights, women’s equality and free speech as non-negotiable foundations. During his HBO program “Real Time,” Maher criticized both political parties for their opposing immigration stances while maintaining that accepting American values represents the price of entry for newcomers seeking the American dream.

Maher distinguished between cultural practices he views as acceptable—maintaining native languages at home, celebrating religious holidays, and preserving family cuisine—and what he described as fundamental incompatibilities with Western civilization. He specifically enumerated practices including honor killings, female genital mutilation and polygamy as examples of customs that cannot coexist with American principles, characterizing these boundaries as liberal values rather than racial ones.

A Penn State University academic challenged Maher’s historical framing. Nicole Kreisberg, an assistant professor in public policy and sociology, told Fox News Digital that America’s actual immigration history reflects forced assimilation rather than the “melting pot” narrative Maher presented. Kreisberg noted that immigrants throughout U.S. history faced systematic discrimination for maintaining their native languages and cultural practices, with European immigrants eventually achieving acceptance while contemporary immigrants of color continue facing barriers despite assimilation efforts.

Maher also criticized progressive candidate Melissa Chaudhry for omitting LGBTQ+ issues from her campaign platform, citing her statement that many Muslims oppose such rights. He characterized this as abandoning vulnerable populations and questioned whether progressive politics now prioritizes community preferences over universal values.