Charles Barkley Speaks Out on Immigration During March Madness Broadcast

Basketball legend criticizes treatment of immigrants in America during NCAA tournament coverage

Mar. 29, 2026 at 9:38pm

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During a March Madness broadcast on CBS, NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley spoke out about the treatment of immigrants in America, calling it a "travesty and a disgrace." Barkley made the comments while discussing the journey of UConn player Alex Karaban, who is an immigrant, and said the country should "admire and respect" immigrants who have built the nation.

Why it matters

Barkley's comments come amid ongoing national debates over immigration policy and enforcement, which have intensified since former President Donald Trump's return to office in 2024. As a high-profile public figure, Barkley's remarks on the issue during a major televised sporting event are likely to draw significant attention and reaction.

The details

While discussing UConn player Alex Karaban's immigrant background, Barkley said he wanted to "be very careful" with his words on the "really touchy subject." He went on to say there is a "difference between amazing immigrants and criminal immigrants," and that "what we're doing to some of these amazing immigrants is really unfortunate and it's really sad." Barkley praised immigrants as having "built this country" and said their "stories need to be told."

  • Barkley made the comments during the CBS broadcast of the March Madness NCAA basketball tournament on March 29, 2026.

The players

Charles Barkley

A former NBA player and current basketball analyst for CBS Sports, known for his outspoken commentary on social and political issues.

Alex Karaban

A player for the University of Connecticut men's basketball team, who is an immigrant.

Nate Burleson

The CBS host who acknowledged Barkley's comments during the broadcast.

Bruce Pearl

The Auburn basketball coach who was part of the CBS broadcast crew that remained silent after Barkley's remarks.

Donald Trump

The former U.S. president whose immigration policies have dominated national debates.

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What they’re saying

“I wanna be very careful with my words right now. Cause this is a really touchy subject for me. I love that kid (Karaban) and his family. But the way some of these other immigrants are getting treated in our country right now is a travesty and a disgrace.”

— Charles Barkley, NBA Hall of Famer and CBS Sports Analyst

“I think there is a difference between amazing immigrants and criminal immigrants. And I think what's going on in our country — I think what we're doing to some of these amazing immigrants is really unfortunate and it's really sad. That's a great immigrant story, we have a lot of great immigrant stories out there who — they stories need to be told but some of the stuff that's happening to immigrants in our country is really unfortunate and its really unfair. But immigrants built this country, we should admire them and respect them.”

— Charles Barkley, NBA Hall of Famer and CBS Sports Analyst

What’s next

The comments from Charles Barkley are likely to reignite the ongoing national debate over immigration policy and enforcement, with both supporters and critics of current policies weighing in on his remarks. It remains to be seen if Barkley's words will have any impact on the political discourse or lead to further discussion of immigrant rights and treatment in America.

The takeaway

As a high-profile public figure, Charles Barkley's decision to speak out against the treatment of immigrants during a major televised sporting event underscores the divisive and emotionally charged nature of the immigration issue in the United States. Barkley's comments reflect the growing calls for more compassionate and humane policies toward immigrants, even as the political landscape remains deeply polarized on the topic.