Kristen Stewart has drawn attention online after offering an unusual idea while talking about ways to support immigrants.
The Twilight actor was speaking with reporters when she was asked:
‘what would break your heart if it disappeared from Los Angeles?’
Stewart didn’t hesitate before answering:
‘immigrants’
She went on to describe feeling overwhelmed by what’s currently unfolding across the US as immigration policy tightens under Donald Trump’s administration.
In recent weeks, reports of people being detained for extended periods after encounters with ICE agents have circulated widely, including cases involving individuals who reportedly held valid visas.
ICE operations in Minnesota have also seen three US citizens killed by ICE agents, while the administration has continued threatening to clamp down on:
‘sanctuary states’
These include California, where some local agencies limit co-operation with federal immigration enforcement.
In a clip shared to Instagram, Stewart expanded on why the issue hits close to home, while also grappling with what meaningful resistance might look like.
“I can’t stand the idea of the dismantling of the culture that had a hand in making me who I am, which is so meaningless in the face of people’s lives being completely unearthed and destroyed.
“This is not who we are. Where I’m from, I don’t identify with that right now.”
She continued:
Stewart added: “I can’t fathom that it’s happening until it doesn’t happen. Los Angeles doesn’t exist without all of us.”
The actor then tried to put into words the uncertainty many people feel when it comes to what actions actually help.
“Do we make movies about this?” she said. “Do we throw all of our money at it? Do we stop buying burgers in the daytime? What do we do about this?”
Online reactions to her comments were divided, with some people fixating on her mention of burgers in the context of immigration.
One social media user wrote:
“What the hell is she saying.”
Another added:
“Words were not her gift. idk whether to say i agree or disagree. what did she just say?”
Others defended Stewart, arguing that her difficulty articulating a clear solution reflected how bleak the situation feels.
“I loved her answer – it was human. Of course an empathetic, logical human can’t easily articulate an illogical situation. If she was well spoken, y’all would be complaining about her ‘media training’.”
Stewart’s “burger” line may have been a clumsy reference to boycotts, a long-standing protest tactic intended to pressure companies, public figures, or governments tied to policies people oppose.
For example, some consumers might avoid spending money at a burger chain if they believed the owner had contacted ICE about workers.
Historically, boycotts have played major roles in political movements, including the US civil rights movement and international campaigns opposing apartheid in South Africa.