Barack Obama Says Aliens Are 'Real,' But They Aren't Being Kept at Area 51

The former president also spoke out against federal immigration enforcement actions in Minnesota.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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In a recent interview, former President Barack Obama stated that aliens are 'real,' but added that he had not seen them and they are not being kept at the secretive Area 51 facility. Obama also condemned the 'rogue behavior' of federal immigration agents during a months-long enforcement surge in Minnesota, comparing their actions to those seen in authoritarian countries.

Why it matters

Obama's comments on the existence of aliens and his criticism of the federal government's immigration enforcement tactics in Minnesota provide insight into the former president's views on these controversial topics. His remarks come at a time when public interest in extraterrestrial life and concerns over immigration policies remain high.

The details

In the interview, Obama told progressive podcaster Brian Tyler Cohen that while aliens are 'real,' he has not seen them himself and they are not being held at the secretive Area 51 facility. Obama also spoke out against the 'rogue behavior' of federal immigration agents during a months-long enforcement surge in Minnesota, comparing their actions to those seen in authoritarian countries. He criticized the agents for 'pulling people out of their homes' and 'using five-year-olds to try to bait their parents.' The Trump Administration has said it is winding down the immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota following months of unrest over the excessive use of force by immigration officers.

  • The interview with Obama was published on February 15, 2026.
  • The Trump Administration's immigration enforcement surge in Minnesota took place over several months prior to February 2026.

The players

Barack Obama

The 44th President of the United States, who served from 2009 to 2017.

Donald Trump

The 45th President of the United States, who succeeded Obama and served from 2017 to 2021.

Tom Homan

The border czar who led the Trump Administration's immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota.

Alex Pretti

An individual killed by federal immigration agents during the enforcement surge in Minnesota.

Renee Good

An individual killed by federal immigration agents during the enforcement surge in Minnesota.

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What they’re saying

“They're real.”

— Barack Obama, Former President (dnyuz.com)

“But I haven't seen them. They're not being kept at Area 51. There's no underground facility—unless there's this enormous conspiracy and they hid it from the President of the United States.”

— Barack Obama, Former President (dnyuz.com)

“It is important for us to recognize the unprecedented nature of what ICE was doing in Minneapolis, St. Paul, the way that federal agents, ICE agents were being deployed, without any clear guidelines, training, pulling people out of their homes, using five-year-olds to try to bait their parents.”

— Barack Obama, Former President (dnyuz.com)

“This has to stop. I would hope that after this most recent tragedy, Administration officials will reconsider their approach.”

— Barack Obama, Former President (dnyuz.com)

What’s next

The Trump Administration has said it is winding down the immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota following months of unrest over the excessive use of force by immigration officers.

The takeaway

Obama's comments on the existence of aliens and his criticism of the federal government's immigration enforcement tactics in Minnesota provide a glimpse into the former president's views on these controversial topics, which continue to be of public interest and concern.